Installing Free Windows 8.1 – Step5: Mounting On Hard Drive and Activating

As explained in the step2, cleanup the hard disk drive where you want to install Windows 8.1 version. It is not necessary to format the drive or entire hard disk for installation. Your system will be having a dual operating system with Windows 8.1 along with the existing operating system.

Changing the Boot Sequence

Change your BIOS boot sequence to boot your computer from USB drive (or from a DVD – if you created s bootable DVD in step4). Normally when you start your computer, pressing F2 or Del button will take you to the BIOS Setup where you can choose the booting sequence. Save your settings and start your computer by inserting the bootable flash USB drive (or a DVD).

Installing Windows 8.1

Your computer will boot from USB flash drive and Windows 8.1 will start. You will be prompted many question like selecting the hard disk partition where you want to install your Windows 8.1 version. Follow the step by step installation process which may take 30 minutes to one hour and your computer will restart few times during the course of time.

Once the installation is completed, you can add an account for log in to your Windows 8.1 version. Remember to change the boot sequence again from USB to hard disk and when your computer is started you will see an option to choose the operating system. All your old files will be accessible when you log in to your old operating system.

Product Activation

The final part of the installation is to activate your evaluation version. It does not need a separate product key for activation, once successfully installed you will be prompted to activated Windows 8.1. In order to use the trail version you need to activate it before 31 October 2014.