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(Solved) - How to install Windows 8 in a separate disk

(12 posts)
  • Started 2 months ago by Elf
  • Latest reply from whs
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Elf
Elf
Posts: 33

I want to dual boot from Windows 8 from my primary C: Drive. I just got me a 120 GB internal HD that I plan to use to install Windows 8 on it. What's the best route to get this done? I don't want to install over my primary disk and lose W7. Any tutorials on this?

Posted 2 months ago #
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hArLtRoN
hArLtRoN
Posts: 766

I imagine it would be the same as this tutorial, only using a Windows 8 ISO instead of a Windows 7 ISO.

Regardless of the way you actually install Windows 8, make sure that your Windows 7 hard drive (or SSD) is UNPLUGGED when you go to install Windows 8. That way there is no possible way for you to overwrite your Windows 7 installation.

See what other posters have to say as I have not installed Windows 8 yet.

Hopefully this is helpful.

Posted 2 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Simple - disconnect the Windows 7 disk (power or Sata cable) and install Win8 on the new disk. Reconnect the Win7 disk when the installation is done. Then you switch from one to the other with the BIOS boot priority.

Another option is this. You can use the new disk in lieu of an external disk for that.

Posted 2 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Ya, Make Sure you use diskpart instructions in tutorial to prepare the Internal HD or you will end up with a GPT formatted disk if you just let Windows 8 do its' thing..

Posted 2 months ago #
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Elf
Elf
Posts: 33

This is great advice but, I'm still trying to understand raphoenix. What instrucctions which include diskpart were you referring to?

Posted 2 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

Good point Rick - forgot about that. Here are the cmd commands:

Diskpart
List disk
Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your disk in List disk)
Clean
Create partition primary
Format fs=ntfs quick
Active
Exit

Posted 2 months ago #
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hArLtRoN
hArLtRoN
Posts: 766

Rick was referring to the DISKPART commands in the tutorial I linked to in my previous post. Same as what whs just posted.

The tutorial shows how to get to a CMD window while installing, it may be a little different for Windows 8 that for Windows 7.

Posted 2 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

Good point by all.

I use a Windows PE/RE Boot USB to prepare the HD Geometry FIRST before loading Windows 8 in Custom Install mode.

That lets me do diskpart commands to make a (1) Full formatted Partition of the HD so forces windows 8 to make MBR installation.

Accepted Answer · Posted 2 months ago #
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Elf
Elf
Posts: 33

Fantastic information guys. I'll let you know later how everything turns out or if I run into trouble somewhere. Thank you for now!

Posted 2 months ago #
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hArLtRoN
hArLtRoN
Posts: 766

@Rick,
Is the Macrium ISO whs has so kindly provided a "Windows PE/RE Boot Disc?"

Posted 2 months ago #
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raphoenix
raphoenix
Posts: 14920

It's the Marcium Backup Program made with the Windows AIK.

I'll make the USB Stick tomorrow and let you know for sure.

Posted 2 months ago #
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whs
whs
Posts: 17584

It is a free Macrium WinPE recovery disk. But you can also make images with it.

Posted 2 months ago #
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