How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO

   Information

This will show you how to create either a Windows 8 Consumer Preview bootable USB flash drive or DVD to use to install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview with.

   Note

Windows 8 Consumer Preview System Requirements
Windows Consumer Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster

RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

Graphics card: MicrosoftDirectX 9 graphics device or higher

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch.
• To access the 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.

Here's How:


1. If you have not already, then you will need to click on the link below to download the 32-bit (2.8 GB) or 64-bit (3.6 GB) Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO file version you want and save it to your desktop in Windows 7 or Vista.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview - Download

2. If you have not already, you will need to download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.


3. Run the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, and click on the Browse button. (see screenshot below)

4. Select the downloaded ISO file (step 1), and click on Open. (see screenshot below)

5. Click on Next, and do either step 6 or 7 below. (see screenshot below)

6. Create Bootable Windows 8 Developer Preview Installation USB Flash Drive

A) Connect a USB thumb drive, and click on the USB device button. (see screenshot below)

B) Select the drive letter of the USB thumb, and click on the Begin copying button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the drive letter is not listed in the drop down menu, then click on the refresh button and try again.

C) If prompted, click on Erase USB Device. (see screenshot below)

D) If prompted, click on Yes. (see screenshot below)

E) When finished, close the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. (see screenshots below)

F) Go to step 8.

7. To Create Bootable Windows 8 Consumer Preview Installation DVD
NOTE: If you are in Windows 7, then you could ause the built in Burn disc image feature to burn the ISO to a DVD instead if you like.

A) Insert a blank unformatted DVD into your DVD drive. Once it's recognized, click on the DVD button. (see screenshot below)

B) Click on the Begin burning button. (see screenshot below)

C) When finished, close the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. (see screenshots below)

D) Go to step 8.

8. You are finished, and can now install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview with your bootable USB or DVD.



That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8
• How to Upgrade from Windows 7, Vista, or XP to "Windows 8 Developer Preview"
• How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Create a Windows 8 VHD at Boot to Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8