Welcome!
This step-by-step tutorial will show you how to get Microsoft Windows 8 for free in 3 short steps.
I will try to keep this repository as current as possible which includes updating this with each new build.
Step 1 of 3: Download Windows 8
Current Build: Windows 8 Consumer Preview Build 8250
Windows 8 Consumer Preview English, 32-bit (x86)
Size: 2.5 GB
SHA-1: 4E0698BBABE01ED27582C9FC16AD21C4422913CC
Download: WindowsDeveloperPreview-32bit-English.iso (microsoft.com).
Torrent: Magnet Link
Windows 8 Consumer Preview English, 64-bit (x64)
Size: 3.3 GB
SHA-1: 1288519c5035bcac83cbfa23a33038ccf5522749
Download: Windows8-ConsumerPreview-64bit-English.iso (microsoft.com).
Torrent: Magnet Link
Windows 8 Consumer Preview English, Online Setup
Size: 5.0 MB
SHA-1: 79DBF235FD49F5C1C8F8C04E24BDE6E1D04DA1E9
Download: Windows8-ConsumerPreview-setup.exe (microsoft.com).
Torrent: Magnet Link (Thanks steven4554!)
Windows Server 8 Consumer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) ISO
Size: 5.0 MB
SHA-1: 328437E0F45DCCB04D55703DEC38BB2A8BF13EAD
Download: 8250.0.WINMAIN_WIN8BETA.120217-1520_X64FRE_SERVER_EN-US-HB1_SSS_X64FRE_EN-US_DV5.ISO (microsoft.com).
Torrent: Magnet Link
Windows Server 8 Consumer Preview English, 64-bit (x64) VHD
Size: 5.0 MB
SHA-1: B46D06F6EB6DAFBB4D7843ED7AC601C0E95A9368
Download: 8250.0.amd64fre.winmain_win8beta.120217-1520_server_serverdatacenter_en-us.exe (microsoft.com).
Torrent: Download Not Available Yet.
You must absolutely check authenticity of the ISO file you've just downloaded. Doing so will confirm that it hasn't been modified by anyone, that it's clean from spywares and viruses, and that it is free from corruption or any transfer error.
To confirm the authenticity of the ISO file you downloaded, all you have to do is to make sure that it is exactly (bit for bit) the same as the one Microsoft provides. We can know that two files are identical by matching their hashes. The hash of a file is the result of its calculation. Each file has a unique hash, if the file is modified (even only by 1 bit) then its hash will be completely different.
Like many software editors, Microsoft provides hashes for all their softwares, which allow to authenticate them as genuine. The hashes we're looking for are available directly here:http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/downloads
Match one of the hashes (either MD5 or SHA-1) of your version (32 or 64 bits) using HashCheck( direct download — instructions) or any other hash calculator, and make sure that the ISO file you've downloaded is exactly the same as the one provided by Microsoft.
Part 2 of 3: Install Windows 8
You have 2 options to install Windows 8. You can simply burn the ISO to a DVD, or you can install Windows 8 from a USB flash drive instead of a DVD.
You can see a installation tutorial with screenshots here:http://www.thewindowsclub.com/install-windows-8
Insert the Windows 8 installation disk into your drive and restart your computer. You might need to change the boot priority in your BIOS in order to boot from your DVD drive or from your USB flash drive.
To install from USB follow one of the ways below:
Option 1:
A. Download this file: Windows7-USB-DVD-tool.exe
B. Install the program and follow the step by step instructions.
Option 2:
A. Extract the ISO and copy the file bootsect.exe to your system32 folder.
B. Format Your USB Drive. (Must be formatted as NTFS if using WindowsDeveloperPreview-64bit-English-Developer.iso. If using the other two ISOs you can format as FAT32 or NTFS.)
C. Set the USB Drive’s Volume to Active
- Open the command prompt with administrative privileges by going to Start, All Programs, Accessories, and the right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- In the command prompt type "diskpart" and then press enter on your keyboard.
- Type "list volume" and the press enter.
- Find the USB drive in the list of volumes. Select the volume by typing select volume X (with X being the volume number of the appropriate USB drive) and then press enter.
- Set the volume as active by typing "active" and then press enter.
- Type exit and then press enter.
E. Copy all of the extracted files from the Windows 8 installation DVD to the USB drive.
F. Restart the computer and boot off the flash drive.
Part 3 of 3: Activate Windows 8
The product keys for Build 8250 are:
DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J
RGMGV-NVC78-HVV8M-2H2Y8-PJ73W
TVK6N-GBBK4-M4KB4-PTQYG-HFMQW
5. Frequently Asked Questions
A. Which is the final version of Windows 8? I want the latest version!
During its development, Windows 8 has gone through different stages. The current stage is Consumer Prieview which is a beta stage (Febuary 29, 2012).
The next stages include Release Candidate (April 2012) and RTM (which if production stays on track is said to be released in August 2012).
B. Can I upgrade from Windows 7 RTM or previous Windows 8 Builds?
Yes you can upgrade following the chart below.
C. How to switch my Windows to another language?
You can download the correct ISO for your language here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso
D. Should I install the 32 bits or the 64 bits version?
If you have 3 GB of RAM or more, install the 64 bits version. If you have 2 GB of RAM or less, install the 32 bits version. If you have between 2 GB and 3 GB of RAM, both versions are OK, and it's up to you to decide. — Before making any decision, make sure that your processor supports 64 bits instructions. Find your processor on Intel's website or AMD's website and check if it supports either "EM64T" or "AMD64".
E. What are the System Requirements for WDP?
Windows Developer Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows Vista and Windows 7:
- 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
- To use touch, you need a tablet or monitor that supports multitouch
- To access Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768
- To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768
F. How do I force the snap feature if my resolution does not support it?
The previous registry key fix doesn't work with the WCP. A solution will be posted if found.
G. How do I add more tiles to the start page?
To add more tiles, open regedit and add:
Code:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\Grid] "Layout_MaximumRowCount"=dword:0000010
- From the Home screen just type “CMD” and Right click on it then on the bottom of the screen you’ll see advance click on it and click on “Run as administrator
- Then type "bcdedit /enum /v"
- Now you’ll see tow descriptions, look under “Windows Boot Loader” and copy the Identifier entry.
- Now type "bcdedit /copy {72b4a7cd-e189-11e0-af56-eb8118bcf02b} /d “Windows Developer Preview (Safe Mode)”"
- Replace the GUID with the one you copied.
- Now from the same command prompt type in “MSCONFIG”. Then go to the Boot Tab and check on the box where it says “Make all boot settings permanent” click on Apply and click OK.
- Reboot your System you now when you press F8. Click on “Use another operating system” then select Safe Mode then you system will restart and login to Safe Mode.
I. How do I change the lockscreen language/time format?
1. Go to C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Wind ows\Logon
2. Open UserSettings.ini
3. Change
For example, the settings below changed the clock to 24 hour format and show month/day in Dutch.
Code:
[GlobalizationPreferences]
TimeFormat=HH:mm tt
LocaleName=en-US
GeographicRegion=US
Calendar=GregorianCalendar
Clock=24HourClock
Languages=nl-NL
J. What are some Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows 8?
Win+C : Opens Charms Bar
Win+D : Show Desktop
Win+E : Opens Windows Explorer
Win+F : Opens File Search App
Win+H : Opens Share charm
Win+I : Opens Settings charm
Win+K : Opens Connect charm
Win+L : Lock computer
Win+O : Locks device orientation
Win+Q :Opens Search pane
Win+R : Opens Run
Win+V : Cycles through toasts
Win+Shift+V : Cycles through toasts in reverse order
Win+W : Opens Settings Search app
Win+Y : Temporarily peek at the desktop
Win+Z : Opens App Bar
Win+Tab : Cycles through Metro Applications
Win+Ctrl+Tab : Cycles through Metro Applications in Snap
Win+Shift+Ctrl+Tab : Cycles through Metro Applications in Snap (Backwards)
Win+. : Moves the Snap view to the right
Win+Shift+. : Moves the Snap view to the left
Win+Spacebar : Switch input language and keyboard layout
Win+Enter : Launches Narrator
Home : Jumps to the first Tile
End : Jumps to the last Tile
PgUp : Moves Startscreen to the left
PgDown : Moves Startscreen to the right
Ctrl+Scrollwheel : Semantic Zoom
In explorer windows:
ALT + A : Open Easy access
ALT + CO : Copy selected items
ALT + CP : Copy Path of the selected item
ALT + CF : Copy to folder, using the drop-down menu
ALT + D : Delete selected items
ALT + E : Edit selected item
ALT + H : Show History of the document revisions
ALT + M : Move files to location using the drop-down menu
ALT + N : Create New Folder
ALT + PS : Paste Shortcut in the location
ALT + PR : Open Properties box
ALT + PE : Open new document, choose from drop-down menu
ALT + SA : Select All items
ALT + SN : Select None
ALT + SI : Invert Selection
ALT + R : Rename selected items
ALT + T : Cut selected items.
ALT + V : Paste copied items
ALT + W : Create New Item
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