How to Install Windows 8.1 On A Virtual PC?

With the arrival of virtualization, virtual servers and Cloud, computing practices have got changed considerably. Now, virtual PCs are getting excessively in use. If you are also using a virtual PC and want to run Windows 8 on your virtual PC, then you can get that done. Actually there are different ways of getting this done but these tutorials talk about how to install Windows 8 on a virtual PC using VMWare Player.

To get it done, perform the following steps:

Download VMWare Player
 

Visit the VMWare Player website and click the Download button on its Web page. You can choose the download for Windows 64-bit and 32-bit. After downloading, run the VMware-player downloaded executable file. This will launch the VMware Player Setup Wizard, click next and simply follow the steps of the setup that have been discussed below. 

Create New Virtual Machine

Look for the VMware Player icon in your desktop. You need to double-click the icon to launch it. You have to accept the license agreement to initiate the process. Then click on the option “Create a New Virtual Machine.”

ISO Browse

At the Welcome screen, you are recommended to keep the first option, i.e. “Installer Disc” selected if you want to burn the Windows 8.1 ISO file onto a DVD. You will need to insert the DVD for this.

Otherwise, you can opt for the second option and select the second option, i.e. the “Installer disc image file (ISO).” By choosing the second option, you will download the ISO file on your PC and get it installed directly from that file. For this, you have to select the location of the ISO file and choose it by using the ‘Browse’ button. Then click ‘Next.’

Select OS

At the ‘Select a Guest Operating System’ screen, make sure that the option “Microsoft Windows” is chosen. Now click on the dropdown menu for Version and then choose Windows 8 x64, if you’re installing the 64-bit version or Windows 8X 32-bit, if you are installing the 32-bit. Then Click ‘Next.’

Choose Name

Next is the Virtual Machine screen, where you are required to enter a name for your virtual machine. You can choose any name of your choice, suppose “Windows 8.1.” Next, confirm the location for the virtual machine. For this click on the ‘Browse’ button and choose a location of your convenience. Now, again click ‘Next.’

Choose Disk Space

Next is the ‘Specify Disk Capacity’ screen. Here you are required to set the maximum disk space your PC has. If you have enough free space in your PC, then you can continue with the default setting of 60GB. Otherwise, choose the amount of gigabyte you have. Then select the “Store virtual disk as a single file” option. Choosing this option is recommended if you want to keep your virtual machine on your current PC and want to receive best possible performance from it. Then click ‘Next.’

Choose Memory

Next is the ‘Ready to Create Virtual Machine’ screen. Here, click on the ‘Customize Hardware’ button if you want to customize the settings. You can just leave the settings to its default except the ‘Memory’ one. You need to tweak it. Use the vertical slider bar and modify the amount of memory you can allocate to your virtual machine. At least, you have to allot 2GB of memory and if you can afford allot up to 4GB. Click Close, and then click Finish.

Start Setup

After this, VMware Player will take you back to the Home screen. But this time, the newly created Windows 8.1 virtual machine will remain automatically selected and will display the information like, the Windows version, its name and memory as shown in the above figure. Click on the option “Play virtual machine.” This will kick off the normal Windows 8.1 set up.

Enter Product Key

Now the introduction screen will be flashed. Click ‘Next’ and then click the button “Install now.” This will open the product-key screen.

Now, enter the product key for Windows 8.1. You can get this key in your downloaded Windows 8.1 ISO file. Then accept the license terms and click ‘Next.’

Type of Installation

  

Next screen will ask you “Which type of installation do you want?” Select the second option, i.e  “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).” Next is the “Where do you want to install Windows?” screen. Here, click ‘Next’ to accept the default of the unallocated space. After these steps, Windows 8.1 will start getting installed. The following screen will appear during the installation process.

Personalize Windows 8.1

After a few reboots, now you will be opened to customize your Windows 8.1. 

VMware Player Windows 8.1 Virtual PC

With these simple steps, your new virtual machine with Windows 8.1 is all set up in your computer. To run Windows 8.1, you simply need to click the VMware Player icon on your desktop and launch it. Then, you need to click on the “Play Virtual Machine” option. 

The VMWare Player comes with lots of tools that you can use to make your Virtual PC work better. These tools facilitate you in managing Windows size, Screen Mode, addition of removable devices, creating snapshot of your virtual machine and lots more.