How to Install Windows 8.1 in VirtualBox on Windows 10

In this article, we will examine how to install Microsoft Windows 8.1 with a virtual machine using Oracle VM VirtualBox on PC/Laptop.

How to Setup Windows 8.1 in VirtualBox on Windows 10

With the Oracle VM VirtualBox software, you can run operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and even MacOS on your computer and use them easily.

VirtualBox is both an Intel and AMD virtualization product and a powerful virtualization program for business and home users. VirtualBox works properly on Windows, Linux, Macintosh, and Solaris systems.

You can use the Oracle VM VBox program with a Laptop or Desktop computer processor that supports virtualization technology.

When installing a virtual operating system with Oracle VirtualBox, the operating system’s ISO file is usually used. In addition, it is possible to set up the operating system with the DVD / CD drive of your physical computer.

In this article, after creating a new virtual machine using Oracle VM VBox, we will step through the Win 8.1 operating system installation. And finally, we’ll install the Guest Additions plugin for the VBox virtual machine.

If you have not already installed VirtualBox, you can install it from the following link.

• How to Install Oracle VM VirtualBox on Windows PC

NOTE: You can also install Microsoft Windows 8.1 operating system with Oracle VM VBox 6.0.10.

How to Install Windows 8.1 in Virtual Machine

Download the ISO file of this operating system to your computer by clicking the button below the article before you start installing the Windows 8 system with the virtual machine on your computer.

   Step 1

Run the VirtualBox program and click the New button to create a new VM.

   Step 2

For Windows 8.1 machine, specify the size of 4 GB (4096) RAM.

   Step 3

In the hard disk configuration window, select Create a virtual hard disk now and click the Create button.

   Step 4

Select the VDI (VBox Disk Image) option for the HDD type. Click on the Next button.

   Step 5

We recommend using the Fixed Size method for more performance of your virtual HDD while using this program. And positioning your hard disk on a USB HDD will additionally give you a performance boost.

In the HDD configuration window of the Windows 8.1 virtual machine, select the Fixed Size option and click Next to continue.

   Step 6

In this window, store the virtual HDD in a different location. And also specify the HDD size in the window below.

   Step 7

Creating a Virtual Hard Disk for Windows 8.1 machine…

   Step 8

After you create a new virtual machine for Windows 8.1 installation, you need to add the ISO file for the virtual machine. Click the right button / Settings on the machine as follows.

   Step 9

In the Windows 8.1 settings window, click Storage in the left pane and click on Choose Virtual Optical Disk File on the right panel.

   Step 10

You can download the Windows 8.1 ISO file from the link at the bottom of the article. Select the Windows 8.1 ISO file and click the Open button.

   Step 11

After adding the ISO file for the machine setup, close the window by clicking on the OK button.

   Step 12

For VBox Windows 8.1 installation, click on the Start button.

   Step 13

After opening the Windows 8.1 installation screen, select the operating system language setting, time format and keyboard layout as shown below and click the Next button.

   Step 14

Start the Windows 8.1 installation by clicking the Install Now button.

   Step 15

Accept the Windows 8.1 operating system license agreement and click Next.

   Step 16

Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) as in the following window.

   Step 17

Configure the hard disk you created for the Windows 8.1 VM as follows. Afterward, select Partition 2 and click Next to start the installation.

   Step 18

Preparing files for Win 8.1 installation…

   Step 19

Preparing devices…

   Step 20

Type your computer name and click the Next button.

   Step 21

Click the Use express settings button.

   Step 22

To open a user account without logging in to the Microsoft account, click Create a new account in the window below.

   Step 23

In this step, click Sign in without a Microsoft account.

   Step 24

Type your username and click Finish button to continue.

   Step 25

The necessary settings for Win 8.1 operating system are configuring.

How to Install Guest Additions in Windows 8.1

After creating a new virtual computer with the VBox virtualization program, the first thing to do is to install Guest Additions.

After installing Guest Additions, you can use the Windows machine as a full screen. And you can also use USB 3.0 devices seamlessly and share files between your physical computer.

   Step 1

To install Guest Additions in VBox Virtual Machine, in the Win8.1 machine window, click on Devices / Insert Guest Additions CD image.

   Step 2

Click Run VBoxWindowsAdditions.exe to start the installation.

   Step 3

Continue by clicking the Next button in the Oracle VM VirtualBox Guest Additions setup window.

   Step 4

Leave the installation location as default and click on the Next button.

   Step 5

To install the virtual machine guest extensions, click the Install button.

   Step 6

Installing virtual machine guest add-ons…

   Step 7

When the Security window opens, select Always trust software from “Oracle Corporation” and click the Install button.

   Step 8

Restart your virtual system for the changes to take effect.

   Step 9

Restarting the virtual machine…

   Step 10

After restarting your virtual machine, click View / Full Screen.

   Step 11

As you can see in the window below, after installing the guest add-ons for the Win 8.1 virtual machine, the virtual machine can now be used in full-screen mode.

   Video

You can watch the video below to install Windows 8.1 and its guest add-ons step by step on a virtual computer on your PC, and also subscribe to our YouTube channel to support us.

   Final Word

In this article, we have provided a step-by-step Windows 8.1 installation using the Oracle VM VBox virtualization program on the Win 10 operating system. And finally, we have installed Guest Additions for the VBox VM. Thanks for following us!

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   Download Windows 8.1 ISO for Oracle VBox

You can download the Windows 8.1 operating system ISO file used in this article by clicking the following button…

Download ISO File