There are a lot of steps but I took screenshots at each screen to walk you through everything.įirst we need to get download the Windows 8.1 ISO image.Īn ISO is a file that is an exact copy of a CD or DVD. The only caveat is that you should set aside at least two and half hours to set this up. The best part is it’s all free and setup is a cinch. Windows 8.1 executes programs just like a physical computer except it’s completly oblivious to the fact that it’s actually running as a Guest application on your Host (real) computer. In other words, you can install VirtualBox as a regular application on your computer and then install Windows 8.1 in a Virtualbox “sandbox” environment. Whatever the case, with VirtualBox you can install the complete software implementation of Windows 8.1 as a Guest on your real ( Host) operating system.

Maybe you have Windows 8 Pro and you’re afraid of losing the license when the RTM comes out this Christmas, or maybe you’ve heard rumors of bugs and feel your apprehension is justified. So you’ve heard all the brouhaha about Windows 8.1 and you want to get in on the action but you don’t want to sacrifice a perfectly working Windows install.

How to use virtualbox on windows 8.1