This is a quick tutorial for installing the Windows 8 Developer Preview in VMware workstation. I'm using version 8 as it's the only one that accommodates Windows 8, although the new operating system is not officially supported to the best of my knowledge. That said, other than one little installation glitch I'll detail later, I've had no issues running Developer Preview in Workstation 8. It isn't a free program, but a free trial is available from their website if you're willing to register for an authorization key.

Create the Virtual Machine


	Download and install VMware Workstation 8 on the host system. Fire up the application and select Create A New Virtual Machine.
	For this procedure I selected a Custom configuration.
	The default compatibility settings are suitable for this installation. Click [Next] to continue.
	This is where the 'glitch' I mentioned in the opening of this article comes into play. Normally I install from an .iso file and list it at this point in the virtual machine creation. I did it this time as well but received an error after the actual Developer Preview installation began. In this case, do not choose to install from a disk image file (.iso). Make sure for this Developer Preview installation you select the "I will install the operating system later" option. The .iso file will be specified at a later point, prior to starting the installation process, but not at this point in the virtual machine creation.
	Select a Guest Operating System. Obviously this is a Microsoft product, but as I mentioned earlier Windows 8 is not yet supported and consequently not listed in the Version dropdown list. Since I'm going to use the 32-bit version of Developer Preview I'll use the Windows 7 version. If you're installing the 64-bit version you'd select the Windows 7 (64 bit) version.
	This is the Easy Install information that personalizes the installation. There is no product key required for the Developer Preview, although there has been at least one posted in one of the official Microsoft blogs. Enter a name and password before clicking [Next] to continue.
	Give the virtual machine a name and specify a location where the file will be stored. Click [Next] to continue.
	Enter the processor specifics for the virtual machine host system. Click [Next] to continue.
	Set the amount of memory available to the virtual machine. The old adage for computers is the more memory the better. The same holds true for a virtual machine. The minimum memory requirement for the 32-bit Developer Preview is 1GB; 64-bit requires 2GB.
	The default network type is Network Address Translation (NAT). Accept the default unless you have a specific reason for something else.
	Again, unless you have a reason to change the I/O Controller Type, just accept the default.
	Select a disk for the virtual machine. Unless you just happen to have a suitably sized virtual disk you aren't using, accept the default to create a new virtual disk.
	Once again, use the default disk type.
	Specify Disk Capacity - VMware recommends a 60GB disk size for Windows 7. The absolute minimum for 32-bit Developer Preview is 16GB and for 64-bit it's 20GB. Sixty (60GB) doesn't seem that unreasonable, especially if you make the file dynamically expandable instead of allocating all the space initially. I did use the default 60GB, but where the default is to split the disk into multiple files I selected store as a single file.
	Specify where the hard disk file will be stored using the browse button.
	A screen summarizing what will be included in the virtual machine when it's created. If it looks good and as you intended, click [Finish] to create the virtual machine.
	After the virtual machine is created it's displayed in the main VMware window. Normally this is where you'd just power on the machine and installation would begin, but because of that 'glitch' I talked about much earlier, one more step is needed to get things ready. Click the [Edit Virtual Machine Settings] link.
	The Virtual Machine Settings screen shown below will open. Make sure you're on the Hardware tab at the top and select Hard Disk (SCSI) in the left hand pane. Way back up in Step 4 I selected the "I will install the operating system later" option in order to avoid a later 'glitch' in the installation. Because I made that selection it's now necessary to specify the location of the .iso file that will be used for installation. In the right pane, select the radio button for [Use ISO Image File] and click the [Browse] button. Browse to where the .iso file is located on the host, select it, and you'll be ready to go. Clik [OK] to return to the main VMware window.
	Back on the main VMware application window, this time select the [Power On This Virtual Machine] link and the installation process will begin. A few screens will flash by ---

--- and eventually you'll be brought to this screen. I'm not going to take this tutorial any further as I'm sure if you're messing around with virtual machines and Windows 8 Developer Preview you don't need my help from this point. Happy installing !

XP Main Page

Vista Main Page

Windows 7 Logo Screen

Win 7 Main Page

Be sure to visit TEG on
Windows XP and Vista and 7

Testing Operating Systems On A Primary System

Here's a method I use for testing operating systems and other software on a primary system without impacting the current primary operating system.

System Mechanic® - Fix and Speed Up Your PC...

Set BIOS to Boot from CD/DVD Drive

For those who aren't familiar with the steps involved, here's a generic guide to the procedures.

Has The Elder Geek
site been useful?

Consider A Donation

Custom Search

- Important Information -
The Elder Geek sites contain many articles and suggestions for modifying the Windows operating system. I've tried these tweaks and tips on many systems. Sometimes they work, sometimes not. The point is, ensure you have a current, tested backup of all system and data files and understand how to restore the system in case something goes very wrong. You can still yell at me, but I assume no responsibility for your actions and use of the information and disclaim any legal responsibility for any consequences of such actions.

Copyright © 2002/2003/2004/2005/2006/2007/2008/2009/2010/2011, Jim Foley/The Elder Geek, All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Reproduction, in any form, of information on this site is prohibited without express written permission.
Microsoft is in no way affiliated with, nor offers endorsement of, this site.