8.03 Install Windows 8

It has to be said that there isn't much difference between install Windows 8 and installing any other version of Microsoft Windows. Perhaps the biggest change the user will see is in the layout of the relevant screenshots. The more sophisticated the operating system the more visual the installation screenshot become.

When installing any software application it is important that you have everything to hand, so that you don't have to keep stepping away from the install to find drivers for, say, your SATA drive. Making sure you have everything to hand will help the installation run smoothly and, in the long run, save on valuable time.

To install Windows 8 you should have the following:

Your Windows 8 DVD
The Windows 8 Product Code Number (This is usually displayed on the side of the Jewel case or, if you purchased it online you will have received an email from Microsoft indicating the relevant product key.) You should ensure that this product key is kept in a safe place as without it you will not be able to activate your copy of Windows.
Ensure that you have all relevant drivers available. This is not always the case as Windows 8 has many of the standard drivers on the operating systems DVD. However, even though Windows installs a particular driver for your hardware, it is always wise to check the Windows Update site or the hardware manufacturer's website just in case a more up to date driver has been released.
Make any necessary changes to your system BIOS (assuming this is necessary) to enable the Windows DVD to boot directly from your CD/DVD-ROM

Switch your Computer on.
While your system is booting, quickly open your CD/DVD ROM and insert your Windows 8 DVD.
If your PC has an option to boot to a boot menu then press the relevant F key (this may be F12 or something similar depending upon the make of your computer) to open up the boot option menu. Once the boot menu appears select the option for your CD/DVD-ROM and then press the Enter key. The Windows operating system should now start to install.
If you you do not have a boot menu option then you will need to change the boot option in the System BIOS. Once you have done this and you have rebooted your PC you should now see an option to 'Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.' Press the Enter key to continue with the installation.

Fig: 8-3-1 If you see this Boot from CD screen, Press any key to boot from CD or DVD
The first screen you see will be the Logo screen. This will usually remain on screen for some moments before anything happens. Please be patient during this initial install phase.

Fig: 8-3-2 The Windows Logo screen
After a while the screen will change and you will be asked to select your Install Language, Time and Currency format and your Keyboard or Input method. Make the necessary selections and then click the Next button.

Fig: 8-3-3 Windows 8 language and keyboard selection.
Once the language and keyboard options have been selected it is time to start the install, click the Install Now button to continue.

Fig: 8-3-4 Click the Install Now button to start the installation of Windows 8.
The installation will now start.

Fig: 8-3-5 Setup is starting screen.
The next step is to input your 25 character product key. You can do this either directly from your keyboard or, if you are using a touch sensitive screen, from the on-screen keyboard. The on-screen keyboard is accessed by tapping the keyboard icon to the right of the product key dialogue box.

Fig: 8-3-6 Input the 25 character product key.
Once you have inputted the product key number press the Next button.
You now need to accept the EULA (End User License Agreement). Place a check mark (tick) in the box next to the accept the license terms and then click the Next button.

Fig: 8-3-7 Accept the license terms to continue. If you do not accept the license terms the operating system will not install.
You now have to decide which type of installation you want. You have two options, Upgrade and Custom. If you are upgrading from another operating system, select Upgrade. If you want a clean install then select Custom.

Fig: 8-3-8 Select Custom for a clean install of the operating system.
Now you have to select where you want to install windows. Select the partition or drive that you want to use and the press the Next button.

Fig: 8-3-9 Select where you want to install windows.
Windows will now begin copying file to memory. As the installation progresses a check mark (tick) will appear next to each of the options to indicate that that part of the installation has been completed.

Fig: 8-3-10 The progress of the installation is marked by a tick on the screen.
After the installation has completed your PC will automatically restart.

Fig: 8-3-11 Once installation has been completed your PC will restart.
The next stage of the installation will now commence.

Fig: 8-3-12 The Windows Logo screen.
After a short while the Windows Logo screen will disappear and the Getting Device Ready screen will appear.

Fig: 8-3-13 Getting devices ready for installation screen
The next screen shows the progress being made.

Fig: 8-3-14 Readying devices progress window
The screen now changes again. This time Windows indicates Windows is Getting your system ready.

Fig: 8-3-15 Getting ready.
Windows continues getting your system ready. Once this has finished your system will reboot again.

Fig: 8-3-16 Your system now restarts.
Once the all hardware has you will be presented with a Let's go through a few basics screen. You are now going to start Personalizing your installation; setting up your wireless connection; changing any settings and signing in to your Windows Live account. get your system ready for use.

Fig: 8-3-17 Let's go through a few basics screen.
The screens now take on a new look as we enter the final stages of the installation. From the following screens you are going to be able to Personalize your system, install your Wireless connection, set your setting and prepare your sign in or logon details.

Fig: 8-3-18 On this screen you personalize your start screen background color and name your PC.
The next thing to do is set up your Wireless connection. Here you will need to input your wireless router password. Once you have done this press the Connect button. Windows 8 will now log onto your router and internet connection.

Fig: 8-3-19 Wireless router connection screen
In the next screen you will be asked to type in your wireless routers password to enable Windows 8 to access the internet. Once you have done this, click the Connect button.

Fig: 8-3-20 Insert your wireless router password.
In the next screen you will be asked to adjust your settings. You can either use the Express setting option or, if you prefer to customize the system, you can select Customize. As a general rule the Express settings should prove adequate for your needs. Press the relevant button to continue.

Fig: 8-3-21 You can select the Use express settings or the Customize button.
Next comes the Log On option. Here you have a choice of either signing in to Windows using your Hotmail/Live Mail account or to sign up using a user name and password. The default setting is signing in with your Hotmail/Live Mail address. If you don't want to use your Hotmail/Live Mail address for signing in then select the Don't want to sign in with a Microsoft account option. The one advantage of the Hotmail/Live Mail sign in is that all of your accounts can be synchronized easily. If you select the Hotmail/Live mail address option fill in your email address and then press the Next button

Fig: 8-3-22 Select which option you want to use for sign in by either adding your Hotmail/Live mail address or selecting the option to not use a Microsoft account and then press the Next button.
If you select a non-Microsoft account a screen will appear similar to Fig:8-4-23 below. To continue click on the Local account option.

Fig: 8-3-23 you can choose to use either a Microsoft account or a Local account for logging in to Windows.
In the next window you are required to input your user name and password. Please note that this window only appears if you have selected the Local Account option. If you have selected to use your Hotmail/Live Mail account all you would have had the option earlier. Once you have added your user name and password, press the Next button.

Fig: 8-3-24 Signing in to your PC using a local account.
If you are logging on with the default Microsoft account, Windows will now go online and check that you have a Microsoft account. This will be the account you will use to logon to your PC.

Fig: 8-3-25 Checking for a Microsoft account.
Once Windows has located your Microsoft account you will be asked to sign in by entering your Microsoft account password. Once you have done this, click the Next button.

Fig: 8-3-26 Once your account has been verified you will need to enter your password.
Next you need to add extra security information such as Telephone number and additional email address. This allows Microsoft to contact you with Password details if you notify Microsoft that you have forgotten your account password. After completing this section, click the Next button.

Fig: 8-3-27 Add additional security information such as Telephone number and additional email address.
Once you have completed the addition security information, click the Next button.
Windows will now create your logon account.

Fig: 8-3-28 Finalizing the settings
You will now be greeted with the Windows Hi screen.

Fig: 8-3-29 Windows say's Hi!
While the Windows installation is finishing off, Windows suggests that you take a look at the new way to use Windows.

Fig: 8-3-30 While we're getting things ready.

Fig: 8-3-31 Take a look at the new way to use windows.
The following screenshots show you what happens when you move your mouse pointer to the bottom right or bottom left of your screen.

Fig: 8-3-32 Move the mouse into a corner of your screen.
When you move your mouse pointer to the top right or bottom left of your screen a new charms bar appears. If you move the mouse pointer to the bottom left hand corner a Start Icon will appear. The top left corner displays open documents.

Fig: 8-3-33 By moving your mouse curser to the top right of your screen you initiate the charms bar.
The new charms bar enables you to search, synchronize, access the start screen, access devices and turn your PC off.

Fig: 8-3-34 The new charms bar appears on the right of the screen.
Windows is now getting your PC ready. This particular screen will change color as the final installation completes.

Fig: 8-3-35 Windows is now finalizing the installation.
As installation finalizes your Apps are installed.

Fig: 8-3-36 The Windows applications will now be installed.
Just a few more things to finalize.

Fig: 8-3-37 Just a few more things to take care of.
Almost Ready!

Fig: 8-3-38 Your installation is almost complete.
Finally your Windows installation is complete and the Windows Start Screen appear. You are now ready to start using Windows 8.

Fig: 8-3-39 The New Windows Start screen.