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I just downloaded the 64 bit Windows 8 Developer Preview and am itching to install it. The installation says it will clean everything out. I assume (hope) that it only means I cannot transfer settings from my current OS and that I will be able to multiboot like any other normal OS but I'm not sure.

I'm installing by mounting the ISO since this computer doesn't have any DVD.

Will the Windows 8 Developer Preview support multibooting? Specically together with windows 7, without any special "put in this dvd and run this command" stuff.

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If you install to a separate partition, it should be fine. I'm still waiting for it to download though, so I don't want to answer saying it'll for-sure work the way you expect it to until I get a chance to try myself. – nhinkle♦ Sep 14 '11 at 6:43
"Should" and "will" are too different for me to give it a spin "now". Have to wait until I wont need to work I guess :) – Richard Sep 14 '11 at 7:30
installing W8 now, will let you know soon :) – rm. Sep 14 '11 at 7:34
Are you installing from inside windows7? :) (heres to hoping) – Richard Sep 14 '11 at 7:39
YES. Was able to get the ISO to run from W7 by using PowerISO instead of MagicISO ... more to come – rm. Sep 14 '11 at 8:05
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3 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

You CAN do a multiboot Install without clearing anything

  • Download the ISO file from Microsoft.
  • Mount the ISO using Daemon Tools, Clone Drive, or similar.

(This is important. Do not use the autorun installer. The autorun installer only allows you to upgrade your existing Windows installation and will not allow you to install to a separate hard drive or partition.)

  • Navigate to the virtual install disc and go to the folder called sources.
  • Run setup.exe and proceed as if installing Windows Vista or 7.

enter image description here

Links:
http://www.ghacks.net/2011/09/14/how-to-install-windows-8-from-usb-key/
http://techspyre.com/how-to-directly-install-windows-8-without-cd-dvd-or-usb/
http://www.reddit.com/r/windows/comments/kf7ax/installing_windows_8_without_bootable_media/

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up vote 6 down vote

UPDATE:

  1. Yes, W8 supports dual boot, BUT you have to install it on another partition from bootable media (such as DVD or USB drive).

  2. Do NOT install W8 from inside your OS by mounting the ISO, it will install over your primary partition WITHOUT giving you any other option (and without explicitly telling you what's going to happen).

UPDATE 2:

W8 kept my W7 install in (Windows.old), I'll try to revert back to it tonight as per this article. I'll report the results once I try this.

ORIGINAL:

I first wanted to install W8 Preview on a virtual machine, but was unable to due to a lack of VT support by my processor (E4400).

Then I've decided to install it on a separate partition, so I can dual-boot.

I've mounted the ISO with MagicISO, but it kept crashing on me, this problem was solved by using PowerISO.

Once I mounted the ISO and fired it up, I clicked thru a simple wizard, hoping that when the install files get dumped in the temp directory and computer restarts, the install will ask me to pick a partition.

Was I wrong on that one, W8 install went ahead and used my primary partition for W8 install (not a big deal since I keep all my data on a separate partition).

@Journeyman Geek mentioned Advanced Partitioning option, but I didn't see it when I ran the setup.

Hope this helps.

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I had to read it twice and still can't believe it! Does this fantastic thing really overwrite the data without warning? – maaartinus Sep 14 '11 at 10:02
@maartinus: read my update – rm. Sep 14 '11 at 10:27
Better, but still: Any program must never ever destroy user's data (unless explicitly told to), otherwise it's just... – maaartinus Sep 14 '11 at 11:22
It says it will "clear everything" which is what got me to ask her in the first place. It even gives you a "choice" with one option "Clear everything" – Richard Sep 14 '11 at 17:09
@Richard: while it says "Clear Everything" i would assume it would ask WHERE to clear it from. Just saying. – rm. Sep 14 '11 at 17:21
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up vote 0 down vote

Yup. Just point Grub to the Win8 Partition and it wakes up like a little baby.

edit

So bcdedit works. But I haven't gotten EasyBCD to work for some reason. Gonna have to research tomorrow. . .

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Not everyone uses GRUB as their bootload. Can you expand your answer to include some more info on how multiboot might work in this scenario? – nhinkle♦ Sep 14 '11 at 6:42
Oh oops. It looks like the same bootloader. I'll have to verify. – surfasb Sep 14 '11 at 7:34
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