Does Windows 8 allow multiboot when installing from a mounted ISO?

I just downloaded Windows 8 and am itching to install it. The installation says it will clean everything out. I assume (hope) that it only means I cannot transfer settings from my current OS and that I will be able to multiboot like any other normal OS but I'm not sure.

I'm installing by mounting the ISO since this computer doesn't have any DVD.

Does Windows 8 support multibooting? Specically together with windows 7, without any special "put in this dvd and run this command" stuff.

Solution 1:

You CAN do a multiboot install without clearing anything:

• Download the ISO file from Microsoft.
• Mount the ISO using Daemon Tools, Clone Drive, or similar.

(This is important. Do not use the autorun installer. The autorun installer only allows you to upgrade your existing Windows installation and will not allow you to install to a separate hard drive or partition.)

• Navigate to the virtual install disk and go to the folder called sources.
• Run setup.exe and proceed as if installing Windows Vista or Windows 7.

References:

• How To Install Windows 8 From USB Key
• Installing Windows 8 without bootable media

Solution 2:

UPDATE:

1. Yes, Windows 8 supports dual boot, but you have to install it on another partition from bootable media (such as DVD or USB drive).

2. Do NOT install Windows 8 from inside your OS by mounting the ISO, it will install over your primary partition WITHOUT giving you any other option (and without explicitly telling you what's going to happen).

UPDATE 2:

Windows 8 kept my Windows 7 install in (Windows.old). I'll try to revert back to it tonight as per this article. I'll report the results once I try this.

ORIGINAL:

I first wanted to install Windows 8 on a virtual machine, but I was unable to due to a lack of VT support by my processor (E4400). Then I've decided to install it on a separate partition, so I can dual-boot. I've mounted the ISO with MagicISO, but it kept crashing on me, this problem was solved by using PowerISO.

Once I mounted the ISO and fired it up, I clicked through a simple wizard, hoping that when the install files get dumped in the temp directory and computer restarts, the install will ask me to pick a partition.

Was I wrong on that one; the Windows 8 install went ahead and used my primary partition for Windows 8 install (not a big deal since I keep all my data on a separate partition).

@Journeyman Geek mentioned Advanced Partitioning option, but I didn't see it when I ran the setup.

I hope this helps.

Solution 3:

Yup. Just point GRUB to the Windows 8 partition, and it wakes up like a little baby.

So BCDedit works. But I haven't gotten EasyBCD to work for some reason.