How to install Windows 8.1 in VirtualBox

In this guide for beginners we will describe how to install Windows 8.1 Pro Review in Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager.

For this purpose use VirtualBox version 4.2.16 or later. Setup file for Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager could be downloaded from here
VirtualBox-4.2.16 Download

MD5: E0A35854A22EDFF0F9D9D5658A38582A

For ISO image we have downloaded from Microsoft original ISO image Windows 8.1 Pro Review Build 9431 (Evaluation Copy), English,

32bit, WindowsBlue-ClientwithApps-32bit-English-X1899604.iso

It will work until January, 15th, 2014

Product Key: NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F

SHA-1: 0x447CCD24EB3DC6CFD9A42E62A5F6418B578E3CBF

MD5: 23862C4495579BA48573FB4088677CBB

This ISO image file could be downloaded from Microsoft.com

1. Firstly, please install and run Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager.

The initial window will appear as shown.

2. To create Windows 8.1 virtual machine, please press “New” button as show with red arrow

3. Select a new name for virtual machine as shown with green arrow “Win8.1”, select type “Microsoft” and version “Windows 8.1” as shown with blue arrow.

Then press “Next” button.

4. Select RAM size for Windows 8.1 virtual machine as shown – 1024 MB or higher is recommended

5. Create virtual hard drive for Windows 8.1 – 25 GB or higher is recommended. Then press “Create” button.

6. Please select virtual hard drive type for Windows 8.1 virtual machine. VDI (as shown) is the native Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager type,

VHD is compatible with Microsoft VirtualPC software.

7. Please select “Fixed size” for faster usage during Windows 8.1 virtual machine running.

8. Select location for virtual hard drive file on your physical HDD as shown with green arrows, then press “Create” button.

9. The creating of the fixed medium storage unit will take some time, so please wait for.

10. After creating Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager will show a new listing with “Win8.1” virtual machine.

Press “Start” button to run Windows 8.1 installation in Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager, as shown with red arrow.

11. VirtualBox Manager will inform us about “Host Key”, which is “Right CTRL” by default,

check “Do not show this message again”, then press “OK” button

12. Now, we need to select “WindowsBlue-ClientwithApps-32bit-English-X1899604.iso” file path on your HDD,

as shown with green arrows, then press “Start” button

13. First Windows 8.1 installation screen will appear shortly.

14. In a few minutes Windows 8.1 setup window will be shown, please select “Language to install”, “Time and currency format”, “Keyboard or input method”.

The press “Next” button.

15. Windows 8.1 Setup is ready, press “Install now”

16. Short screen message “Setup is starting” will be next on your display.

17. Please enter the product key: NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F

Press “Next” button.

18. Please read Windows 8.1 License terms, check “I accept the license terms” and press “Next” button.

19. Then, please click “Custom: Install Windows Only (advanced)” to execute “Clean” installation to the virtual machine.

20. Select “Drive 0 Unallocated Space” and press “Next” button

21. Windows 8.1 setup will install Windows. Wait for a while. Computer will be restarted several times

22. When the Windows 8.1 installation process will be near the finishing, “Getting ready” message will be shown.

23. Now we can select “PC name”, there are some limitations for name’s length and special characters using, so “VirtualBox” will be fine.

Background color for your virtual Windows 8.1 could be adjusted also. Press “Next” button.

24. For most users please press “Use express settings” button on this step. If you occasionally pressed “Customize” button, use “Back” button as shown with green arrow.

25. If you desire to Sign in toy your existing Microsoft account, please change login and password.

In our guide we will show how to skip Microsoft account authorization.

Please enter “login@hotmail.com” and simple password “123456”. Then press “Next” button.

26. Next window will show message about incorrect email/password and show the link “continue without a Microsoft account” that need to click.

27. Now we need to press “Create a local account” button.

28. Our “Local account” will create user with administrative rights, so please fill “VirtualBoxRoot” as user name, enter and re-enter password and hint for the password.

Press “Finish” button.

29. Windows 8.1 will be restarted.

30. After restarting Windows 8.1 setup will install “Apps”

31. Installation of the “Apps” will be accompanied with “Getting your apps ready”

32. Color of the screen during Installation of the “Apps” will be changing.

Please do not turn off our virtual machine.

33. Before installation finishing Windows 8.1 setup will show “Almost ready” screen message.

34. Wow! Windows 8.1 is installed!!! Active user shown in the top right corner with “VirtualBoxRoot” name.

35. To view Windows 8.1 side bar please mouse over to the right bottom button, as shown with red arrow, and the side bar will appear.

This feature of the Windows 8 OS family.

36. To scroll down to the Apps listing, please click the button as shown with mouse arrow

37. Here it is the Apps listing, which could be scrolled to the right by bottom scrollbar.

38. Now we can see another group of the applications, installed with Windows 8.1 by default.

To view Windows 8.1 Desktop, please scroll back to the left and press “Up” arrow button, which will be visible if the mouse will place over scrollbar.

39. When the next windows will be shown, please click to the “Desktop” as shown.

40. Windows 8.1 Desktop will be shown.

41. Press “Explorer” shortcut on the bottom panel, the click “This PC” as shown. Folders by default are shown.

42. “File” menu in Windows 8.1 Explorer is shown here.

43. Selecting the “Computer” menu will show PC panels by default.

44. Selecting “View” will show available options for Windows 8.1 Explorer viewing modes.

45. Please return to the “Computer” menu and press “System properties”

46. Your real hardware PC processor with virtual machine RAM will are shown. Computer name will be VirtualBox.

47. Now we will restart Windows 8.1. Please right click to the left bottom “Window” icon, contextual menu will appear.

Then select “Shut down” submenu, then click “Restart”

48. After restart, please click to any position on the yellow screen with date and time.

49. Authorization window will appear, please enter your password, the press “Submit”

50. Then, we will see “Start” window again. Now, your Windows 8.1 is ready to install programs you desire.