Windows 8已经完成，并通过不同渠道逐步提供。对于那些不熟悉Windows 8并希望了解如何在他们的计算机和设备上安装它的详细分步教程(step tutorial)的用户，我们创建了本指南。我们将介绍以下内容：如何将Windows 8映像刻录到光盘或创建可启动USB 驱动器(USB drive)、如何安装Windows 8以及如何完成初始配置屏幕。
更新：(UPDATE:)本文包含与Windows 8最终版本（内部版本 9200）相关的说明。
安装先决条件
首先，您需要从Microsoft 下载最终版本或(Microsoft or purchase)通过可用的官方渠道之一购买。
如果您想在光盘上刻录.iso映像，请查看我们的教程：在Windows 7中刻录磁盘映像(Burning Disk Images)( ISO 和 IMG(ISO & IMG) )的完整指南(Complete Guide)。此外，如果您想创建一个安装了Windows 8的可启动(Windows 8)记忆棒(memory stick)，请不要犹豫，阅读本教程：如何将可启动USB 驱动器(USB Drive)制作到Windows、Linux 或 MS DOS(Linux or MS DOS)。
如果您想在虚拟机中运行Windows 8，您可以使用的唯一免费软件是VirtualBox。启动“创建新虚拟机”(Create New Virtual Machine)向导时，选择Windows 8作为操作系统(operating system)，Virtual Box将调整其设置以使一切顺利运行。
如果您仍有问题，请查看本指南以了解必须打开哪些设置：如果您想在 Virtual Box 中运行 Windows 8，您需要启用硬件虚拟化(You need to have hardware virtualization enabled if you want to run Windows 8 in Virtual Box)。
为了安装Windows 8，您需要拥有适用于您正在安装的特定版本的有效产品密钥。(product key)您还需要一个Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)。如果您不太了解它以及它如何帮助您拥有它，请查看这篇文章：简单问题：什么是Windows Live ID或Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)？。
Windows 8 安装程序(Installation Procedure)
首先，您需要使用 Windows 8安装光盘(installation disc)启动计算机。如果您使用的是虚拟机，请从.iso安装映像引导。
Windows 8 需要一段时间来加载设置文件，在此期间您将看到大部分黑屏，类似于下图。
复制必要的文件后，设置首先询问您要使用的语言、时间、货币和键盘输入设置。(currency and keyboard input settings)做出您喜欢的选择，然后单击Next。
单击立即安装(Install now)按钮开始安装。
系统会要求您输入激活Windows 8安装所需的产品密钥。(product key)输入您购买的产品密钥(product key)，然后单击下一步(Next)。如果您购买了零售版的Windows 8，产品密钥(product key)将在安装光盘(installation discs)的包装中找到。安装完成后，稍后将需要相同的产品密钥来激活(product key)Windows 8。
您被要求阅读许可协议。选中“我接受许可条款”("I accept the license terms")框，然后单击下一步(Next)。
系统会要求您在进行升级或自定义安装之间进行选择。选择“自定义：仅安装 Windows（高级）”("Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)")。
现在要求您选择要安装Windows 8的位置。选择您想要的分区并单击Next。如果您在虚拟机或新计算机上安装Windows 8，您需要先创建分区。因此单击(Therefore click)驱动器选项(Drive Options)。
然后，使用新建(New)按钮创建分区。
指定分区的大小并单击(partition and click) Apply。
注意：(NOTE:) Windows 8 有大约 10GB 的空间，没有安装任何特殊的附加功能。如果你想安装其他应用程序，你应该为它做一个更大的分区。我的建议是至少使用 20 - 25 GB。
系统会要求您确认是否可以使用Windows 8为其系统文件创建一个附加分区，该分区将用于启动和恢复(boot and recovery)。单击(Click) 确定(OK)。
确保(Make)选择了正确的分区，然后单击Next。
注意：(NOTE:)在此步骤中，您还可以在按Next之前格式化要安装Windows 8的分区。
安装终于开始了。该设置将需要几分钟时间来复制所有必需的文件并安装操作系统(operating system)。
安装完成后，Windows 8安装程序将自动重新启动您的系统。然后，您将看到为首次登录所做的准备工作的进度。为了完成此过程，您可能需要再次重新启动，具体取决于您计算机的硬件配置(hardware configuration)。
个性化Windows 8安装
重新启动完成后，Windows 8 将需要一些时间来准备就绪。
然后，系统会要求您个性化您的Windows 8安装。首先(Start)为您的计算机命名。如果您键入一些“未经授权”的字符，如 $, %, &，您将收到适当的通知。另外，选择您喜欢的背景颜色。(background color)完成后，单击Next。
如果您在笔记本电脑或(laptop or device)带有无线网卡的设备上安装(wireless network card)Windows 8，系统会要求您选择要连接的无线网络(wireless network)并输入适当的密码以进行连接。在通过电缆连接到网络的计算机或设备(computer or device)上，您无需执行此步骤。
接下来，您需要选择是要使用Windows 8 附带的Express 设置，还是要自定义安装。(Express settings)让我们动手，看看如果单击自定义(Customize)会发生什么。
首先，系统会询问您是否要打开文件共享。选择您喜欢的选项。
然后，系统会询问您Windows 更新的(Windows Update)默认行为(default behavior)以及SmartScren 筛选器(SmartScren Filter)等安全功能的默认行为。更改您感兴趣的内容，然后单击Next。
接下来，系统会询问您是否要向Microsoft发送不同类型的信息。根据您的喜好进行(preference and click)设置，然后单击(Set)Next。
然后，系统会询问您故障排除选项以及您要打开的内容。此外，您可以设置应用程序是否可以使用您的姓名和帐户图片(name and account picture)，以及是否允许它们访问您的位置。根据需要进行设置(Set)，然后单击Next。
最后，您将进入“登录您的 PC”("Sign in to your PC")屏幕。要充分体验Windows 8，最好使用您的Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)（也称为Windows Live ID）登录。输入您的Microsoft 帐户并单击(Microsoft account and click) 下一步(Next)。
注意：(NOTE:)如果您不想使用Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)登录，请单击窗口底部的“不使用 Microsoft 帐户登录”链接，然后按照("Sign in without a Microsoft account")设置向导(setup wizard)显示的说明进行操作。
然后，系统会要求您输入Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)密码。键入它并单击Next。
然后，您可以提供备用电子邮件和电话号码(e-mail and phone number)来恢复您的帐户密码(account password)，以防您忘记密码或被不速之客更改。提供请求的详细信息，然后单击Next。
Windows 8 需要一段时间来准备您的计算机和所有设置。
准备就绪后，您将看到一个简短的教程，介绍如何访问新的超级按钮栏 - 这是Windows 8中最重要的更改之一。我建议您注意此阶段显示的说明。
教程结束后，将通过一些彩色屏幕和消息向您显示有关Windows 8自定义进度的更多信息。(Windows 8)
一切完成后，您将看到Windows 8 开始(Start)屏幕。
如果您按Win+D或单击桌面(Desktop)磁贴，您还可以查看经典桌面。
欢迎来到您的第一次 Windows 8 体验！
结论
正如您从本文中看到的，Windows 8安装的启动方式与Windows 7非常相似。然而，越接近第一次登录，事情就会发生巨大变化，新的用户界面就会出现。要了解有关Windows 8的更多信息，请随时阅读我们在Windows 8部分发布的文章。
How to Install Windows 8 RTM on Your Computer -
Windows 8 has been finalized and it is made available graduаllу through different channels. For those who are new to Windows 8 and would like a detаiled step by step tutоrial on how to install it on their computers and devices, we hаve creatеd thiѕ guide. We will covеr the following: how to burn your Wіndows 8 image to a disc or create a bootable USB drive, how to іnstall Windows 8 and how tо go thrоugh the initial configuration screens.
UPDATE: The article includes instructions relevant for the final version of Windows 8 (build 9200).
Installation Prerequisites
First, you need to download the final version from Microsoft or purchase it through one of the official channels available.
If you want to burn the .iso image on a disc, check our tutorial: The Complete Guide to Burning Disk Images (ISO & IMG) In Windows 7. Also, if you want to create a bootable memory stick with the Windows 8 setup on it, don't hesitate to read this tutorial: How to Make a Bootable USB Drive to Windows, Linux or MS DOS.
If you want to run Windows 8 in a virtual machine, the only free software with which you can use is VirtualBox. When starting the Create New Virtual Machine wizard, select Windows 8 as the operating system and Virtual Box will adjust its settings so that everything runs smoothly.
If you still have issues, check this guide on what settings must be turned on: You need to have hardware virtualization enabled if you want to run Windows 8 in Virtual Box.
In order to install Windows 8, you need to have a valid product key, appropriate for the specific version you are installing. You also need a Microsoft account. If you don't know much about it and how it helps you to have one, check this article: Simple Questions: What is a Windows Live ID or a Microsoft account?.
The Windows 8 Installation Procedure
First, you need to boot your computer using your Windows 8 installation disc. If you are using a virtual machine, boot from the .iso installation image.
Windows 8 takes a while to load the setup files, during which you will see mostly a black screen, similar to the one below.
Once the necessary files are copied, the setup starts by asking what language, time, currency and keyboard input settings you want to use. Make the selections you prefer and click Next.
Click the Install now button to start the installation.
You are asked to enter the product key required to activate your Windows 8 installation. Type the product key you purchased and click Next. If you have purchased a retail version of Windows 8, the product key will be found in the packaging of the installation discs. The same product key will be later on required to activate Windows 8, after the installation is done.
You are asked to read the license agreement. Check the "I accept the license terms" box and click Next.
You are asked to choose between making an upgrade or a custom installation. Choose "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)".
Now you are asked to select where you want to install Windows 8. Select the partition you desire and click Next. If you are installing Windows 8 in a virtual machine, or on a new computer you need to first create the partition. Therefore click on Drive Options.
Then, create the partition using the New button.
Specify the size of the partition and click Apply.
NOTE: Windows 8 has approximately 10GB of space without any special extras installed. If you want to install other applications, you should make a larger partition for it. My recommendation is to go for a minimum of at least 20 - 25 GB.
You are asked to confirm if you are OK with Windows 8 creating an additional partition for its system files, that will be used for boot and recovery. Click OK.
Make sure the correct partition is selected and click Next.
NOTE: At this step you can also format the partition where Windows 8 is going to be installed, prior to pressing Next.
The installation finally starts. The setup will take a few minutes to copy all the required files and install the operating system.
Once the installation is done, the Windows 8 setup will automatically reboot your system. Then, you will see the progress of the preparations made for your first login. In order for this process to finish, you might need to go through another reboot, depending on your computer's hardware configuration.
Personalizing the Windows 8 Installation
After the reboots are done, Windows 8 will require some time to get things ready.
Then, you are asked to personalize your Windows 8 installation. Start by giving a name for your computer. If you type some "unauthorized" characters like $, %, &, you will be notified appropriately. Also, choose the background color you prefer. Once done, click Next.
If you are installing Windows 8 on a laptop or device with a wireless network card, you are asked to select the wireless network to connect to and type the appropriate password for connecting to it. On a computer or device connected via cable to the network, you won't go through this step.
Next, you need to choose if you want to use the Express settings Windows 8 comes bundled with, or you want to customize your installation. Let's get our hands dirty and see what happens if you click Customize.
First, you are asked if you want to turn on file sharing or not. Select the option you prefer.
Then, you are asked about the default behavior of Windows Update and that of security features like the SmartScren Filter. Change the things you are interested in and click Next.
Next, you are asked if you want to send different types of information to Microsoft. Set things according to your preference and click Next.
Then, you are asked about troubleshooting options and what you want to turn on. Also, you can set if apps can use your name and account picture and if they are allowed to access your location. Set things as you wish and click Next.
Finally, you get to the "Sign in to your PC" screen. To experience Windows 8 to its fullest, it is best to use your Microsoft account (also known as Windows Live ID) to sign in. Type your Microsoft account and click Next.
NOTE: If you would rather not sign in using a Microsoft account, click on "Sign in without a Microsoft account" link at the bottom of the window and follow the instructions shown by the setup wizard.
Then, you are asked to enter your Microsoft account password. Type it and click Next.
Then, you can provide an alternate e-mail and phone number to recover your account password, in case you forget it or it is changed by unwanted guests. Provide the requested details and click Next.
Windows 8 takes a while to prepare your computer and all the settings.
While the preparations are made, you are shown a brief tutorial about how to access the new charms bar - one of the most important changes in Windows 8. I recommend that you pay attention to the instructions being shown at this stage.
Once the tutorial ends, you are shown further information about the progress of the Windows 8 customisation via a few colored screens and messages.
Once everything is done, you are shown the Windows 8 Start screen.
If you press Win+D or click on the Desktop tile, you can view also the classic desktop.
Welcome to your first Windows 8 experience!
Conclusion
As you can see from this article, the Windows 8 installation starts in a very similar way to that of Windows 7. However, the closer you get to your first login, things change dramatically and the new user interface takes the stage. To learn more about Windows 8 don't hesitate to read the articles we published in our Windows 8 section.
