Get Windows 8 For Free

[-Yard-]

How to Get Windows 8 Right Now
The beautiful Windows 8 Consumer Preview is upon is, and although it's not the final version, it's getting close. This isn't just for developers—it's for you. So get downloading and start using Microsoft's amazing new beginning.

Are you already a Windows diehard? Or an Apple user, looking to see how the other half lives? Either way, we've got you covered like a thick flannel blanket. Made out of preview software.
First things first: download Windows 8

You can do that

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.

Then you need to put that file on something you can install it with. That means either burning the ISO disc image to a DVD or copying it to a USB flash drive. A little annoying, but that comes with the territory when installing a separate operating system.

Whether you're using

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or

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, this feature is built right in.

Now let's install that sucker. (If you're prompted for an activation key, use this: DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J)

Are you on a PC?

Once you've got the Windows 8 file, you'll want to install it alongside the current version you're using—this will allow you to dip your toes in without committing, but requires some minor hard drive futzing.

If you want to run Windows 8 on its own slice of hard drive real estate, you'll need to create a disk partition—clearing out a blank space on your computer for Windows 8 to settle into. This is easy! Our pals at Lifehacker

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if you need it, but you really only need to follow this:

Open the Start Menu and right click on the "Computer" option. Click "Manage", and in the window that appears, click on "Disk Management" in the left sidebar.

Find your system hard disk in the graphical list that appears in the bottom pane. Right-click on it and then click "Shrink Volume". Shrink it down so you have at least 20GB of space left on the end of the drive, and click OK. Then, click on the "Unallocated" block of that drive that appears and click "New Simple Volume". Click Next on the next few windows until you get to the "Format Partition" window. Here, give it a volume label you'll recognize (like "Windows 8") and click Next. It should format the drive for you. Now you're all set to install Windows 8.

Simple, right?

Your PC will now boot into Windows 8 by default, but if you want your previous version to auto-start, go to "Change Defaults or Choose Other Options" from the Windows 8 boot menu.

You've now got a two-headed computer.

Are you on a Mac?

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Taking your Apple down the Windows trail is a little bit more complex, but not enough to keep you from going nuts. Apple has a special tool to get Windows running on your computer—Boot Camp. Guess what! It's already on your computer: Applications > Utilities > Boot Camp.

NOTE: We're encountering some problems at the office trying to get Boot Camp to create a Windows 8 installation flash drive via MacBook Air. It's possible the method that worked for the Developer build won't work for the Consumer Preview. We'll keep you updated.


Pop that open, click Continue, and select "I have already downloaded the Windows support software," create a partition for Win 8 (Boot Camp will divvy off a chunk of your hard drive for you), and then Boot Camp will walk you through the rest like installing anything else (watch this video from 3:00 onward if you need visual guidance). We promise it's an easy step. You'll automatically boot into Windows, but hold down the option key on your next restart to switch operating systems.

You're now using Windows 8. Tell us what you think.

But remember: not only is this a beta product several months away from release, it's also dramatically different from any operating system you've used before. So proceed with the knowledge that you'll volunteering to be Microsoft's guinea pig.

Article:

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[lubricati0n]

I think I shall stick to xp.

 

[-Yard-]

I think I shall stick to xp.

I will as well. But, I'm going to partition my hard drive and try it tonight.

 

[Hyperion]

Microsoft have testers though...
Is the guy that wrote the article a partner?
Wouldn't it be better to VM?

 

[Anduril]

"Microsoft's guinea pig."


No thank you xD

 

[lolthatwascrame]

I think I shall stick to xp.

Get with the times, Windows 7 is superior to XP. Not to mention there is "XP mode".

I stopped dual booting XP for a while now, and see no reason to.

Microsoft have testers though...
Is the guy that wrote the article a partner?
Wouldn't it be better to VM?

Yes, after failing to install BT on the wrong hard drive I have chosen that path for almost every OS I want to try out.

"Microsoft's guinea pig."


No thank you xD

You have been a guinea pig since you were born.

Fail logic.

Anyway's I have tried the dev version, I'm hoping this will be better.

 

['Kurapika]

installing this OS is nothing but a waste of time, Win7 is by far better, the whole interface doesn't make sense, i hate how they replaced the start menu with that huge grave of "tiles" and how they make it slower to find your programs in there, wasn't the purpose of the start menu to make finding your programs faster? i also hate how windows explorer now uses the UI as MS paint and MS office, it just irritates me to furthest of limits
i'm sticking with windows 7, and if they don't get their shit back together i'm packing my stuff and going fully linux

 

[Luminousi]

Awesome.

 

[Jas]

Yard, did you try it out? Any good?

 

[Mercy]

Yard, did you try it out? Any good?

It sucks massive horse penis.

 

[Jas]

Microsoft hater? <.<

 

[Mercy]

Microsoft hater? <.<

lol no.
I have always been using Windows in my life and that won't change. But Eight is just Garbage, it belongs in a dumpster right next to Vista. That Interface is just so fugly.

I am using Windows 7 at the moment and I partitioned extra space just for the Win8 Customer Preview and it wasn't worth it. I used it for about 20 minutes after I installed and OH GOD NO.

 

[Jas]

lol no.
I have always been using Windows in my life and that won't change. But Eight is just Garbage, it belongs in a dumpster right next to Vista. That Interface is just so fugly.

I am using Windows 7 at the moment and I partitioned extra space just for the Win8 Customer Preview and it wasn't worth it. I used it for about 20 minutes after I installed and OH GOD NO.

I see... Thanks for informing me then xd I always hated Vista. Xp and W7 have always been the best.

 

['Kurapika]

Microsoft hater? <.<

lol no.
I have always been using Windows in my life and that won't change. But Eight is just Garbage, it belongs in a dumpster right next to Vista. That Interface is just so fugly.

I am using Windows 7 at the moment and I partitioned extra space just for the Win8 Customer Preview and it wasn't worth it. I used it for about 20 minutes after I installed and OH GOD NO.

same story here, it seems as if they're dumbing things way too much, windows 8 felt like using a mac or even... worse!

 

[Mercy]

I see... Thanks for informing me then xd I always hated Vista. Xp and W7 have always been the best.

That's exactly where I come from. =DD
I was kinda hyped when Vista was released.

After one week of using it. . .

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> Back to XP.

same story here, it seems as if they're dumbing things way too much, windows 8 felt like using a mac or even... worse!

Yeah, exactly. :/

 

[-Yard-]

Yard, did you try it out? Any good?

It sucks U_U

 

[lubricati0n]

Get with the times, Windows 7 is superior to XP. Not to mention there is "XP mode".

I have a sexy windows 98 PC as well. So what? I don't want to get Windows 7 or 8 or even windows 20.

My windows xp could run anything your pc can tbh.

 

[narutodrama]

Linux rules imho, it's free, it's much better, it's virus resistant and there are many more reasons why linux is much better.

 

[Mercy]

Linux rules imho, it's free, it's much better, it's virus resistant and there are many more reasons why linux is much better.

Yes, we aren't talking about Linux tho.

 

[Jas]

It sucks U_U

xd

First the Windows Xp, which was/still is pretty good, and used by many. Then the Windows Vista, which was a big disaapointment. Now the Windows 7, which is used by many too, but then there is coming a Windows 8, which sux :/

Don't worry guys... The next OS will hopefully be good xd