Is Installing Windows 8 Developer Preview Safe?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the safety and feasibility of installing the Windows 8 Developer Preview, including concerns about uninstalling it and restoring a previous version of Windows. Participants explore various installation methods, including dual-booting and using virtual machines.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about uninstalling Windows 8 Developer Preview and restoring the previous version of Windows, questioning its safety.
  • Another participant suggests dual or multi-booting by installing Windows 8 on a separate partition, providing details on how to avoid issues with partition lettering during installation.
  • A different viewpoint recommends using a virtual machine to try Windows 8 without affecting the existing operating system.
  • One participant advises making a clone of the hard drive before making any changes to ensure data safety.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on the best approach to install Windows 8 Developer Preview, and there is no consensus on the safety or implications of the installation process.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific technical considerations regarding partition management and the necessity of running a compatible version of Windows for installation, but these points remain unresolved in terms of their implications for safety and functionality.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for users considering the installation of Windows 8 Developer Preview, particularly those interested in dual-boot setups, virtual machines, or data safety measures.

scottbekerham
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Hi , I want to install windows 8 Developer preview on my computer but I'm not sure if I can uninstall it and restore my previous version of windows without trouble .What do you think? Is it safe?
 
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What about dual or multi-boot? Just install to another partition, perhaps another partition on another hard drive. Note #1 - assuming it's the same as Windows 7, if you don't want to end up with Windows 8 using different lettering for you partitions, start the installation while running an existing version of windows. Note #2 - if you're installing a 64 bit version, the installer is a 64 bit app, so you need to be running on a 64 bit version of windows to run the Window 8 64 bit installer (at least this is how it works with Windows 7). This can be XP or Vista or Win 7 64 bit.

I had to do this to add Win 7 64 bit to an existing dual boot XP 32 bit / XP 64 bit system. I started the install process while running XP 64 bit. If I had started the install by booting from the DVD, it would have re-lettered the install partition "C", and removed the letter from the original "C" partition. Starting the install from XP 64 bit, left my drive letters alone (in my case, I have 3 hard drives, 5 partitions each, I use "D" for XP 64 bit, "I" for XP 32 bit, and "N" for Win 7 64 bit, "C" only has BOOTMGR and NTLDR and related loader typs files.

What is your currrent OS?
 
If you just want to try it, I'd suggest using a virtual machine.
 
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57360492-12/how-to-try-the-windows-8-metro-interface-free/?tag=nl.e415

You could look at this - I got it from CNET.
 
scottbekerham said:
Hi , I want to install windows 8 Developer preview on my computer but I'm not sure if I can uninstall it and restore my previous version of windows without trouble .What do you think? Is it safe?

What I'd do is make a clone of my hard drive (which should be done on a periodic basis anyway) before you make any changes.
 

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