HOW TO INSTALL WINDOWS 8 ON A MAC

Though Windows 8 has received mixed reviews, it remains Microsoft’s latest operating system. If you own a Mac, and you want to use Windows, purchasing Windows 8 is likely the best option.

Unfortunately, it’s also a bit harder to install that than Windows 7. Changes to the way Microsoft sells its new operating system, along with a lack of support from the current version of Boot Camp, makes installation slightly more harrowing. But don’t worry; the steps are still doable for even the newest Mac owner.

Before you begin

Windows 8 is the first version of Microsoft’s operating system to lack a retail copy. Want to walk down to the local electronics store and buy a fresh install? Too bad! You’ll find none on their shelves. You’ll only be able to purchase upgrade versions, and, since those require you have a previous Windows installation, they won’t work with Boot Camp.

The upgrade version will work if you’ve already installed Windows on your Mac with a valid key. Owners who have Windows 7 can follow the steps in this guide, install that version of Windows, and then install Windows 8 Upgrade.

Since the retail version is gone, you’ll instead have to buy an OEM copy. This isn’t carried by most brick-and-mortar retailers, but speciality computer retailers might have it. You can also find it at online stores like Amazon and Newegg. A regular copy of  Windows 8 OEM is $99 and Windows 8 Pro OEM is $139.

You’ll also need to make sure your Mac has OS X Mountain Lion (so you have the latest version of Boot Camp) and at least 20GB of empty hard disk space. Free space is needed because Windows 8 will be installed on a partition of your Mac’s hard drive reserved specifically for it. That partition will also be used to store any software you install while using Windows 8.

Create a bootable USB drive (for Macs with no optical drive)

Owning a Windows 8 disk isn’t helpful if your Mac doesn’t have an optical drive. To make matters worse, Microsoft doesn’t offer an online install of Windows 8 OEM. You’ll need to use an alternative method of installation.

The easiest solution is to use an external optical drive that connects to your Mac via USB. These are not hard to find, but they’re also not free. Expect to pay $25 to $50 if you buy from an online retailer, or $79 if you buy Apple’s own version. If you decide to purchase an external optical drive, skip to the next step.

Still reading? Okay. To skip the use of an optical drive entirely, you’ll need a USB drive with at least 4GB of space and access to a Windows PC that does have an optical drive.

Download and install Imgburn to that computer, insert your Windows 8 install disk (but don’t run the installer), and then run ImgBurn. Select “Create Image from Disc,” select the optical drive (if not already chosen), set a destination, and then click the icon at the bottom. This will create a .ISO file from the Windows 8 install disc.

Posted By GSM Expert16:13

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How To Change Windows Update Settings in Windows 8

Windows Update is certainly the best way to keep Windows 8 updated with the latest patches and service packs. However, you do have several options when it comes to configuring how updates are downloaded and installed.
Right after you installed Windows 8, or when you first turned on your new Windows 8 computer, you were asked some questions about how you'd like Windows Update to work. Those answers configured Windows Update in a certain way.
Fortunately, you can change those settings anytime you want:

1. Open the Windows 8 Control Panel.
   
   The simplest way to get to Control Panel is probably from its shortcut on the Apps screen but the Power User Menu is great way too if you have a keyboardor mouse.
2. Click or tap on the System and Security link.
   
   Note: If you're on the Large icons or Small icons view of Control Panel in Windows 8, choose the Windows Update applet and then skip to Step 4.
3. In the System and Security window, click or tap on the Windows Update link.
4. With Windows Update now open, click or tap the Change settings link to the left.
   
   This will open a window with a Choose your Windows Update settings heading.
5. These settings control how Windows 8 will receive and install updates from Microsoft. See my Explanation of Windows Update Settings in Windows 8 section below for help deciding how best to configure Windows Update.
   
   While there are several options here, most people either: a) want updates to install completely automatically, or b) don't ever want an update to download or install by itself.
6. Once you've made your choice, click or tap the OK button to confirm the changes.

Explanation of Windows Update Settings in Windows 8

• Check, Download, & InstallChoose Install updates automatically (recommended) from the drop-down box underImportant updates to fully enable automatic updates. Click or tap the Updates will be automatically installed during the maintenance window. link and make sure the Automatic Maintenance time is one when your computer is on or sleeping, but isn't in use.
  
  Microsoft recommends this option because you don't have to remember to do anything. Specifically, enabling automatic updates ensures that the Windows 8 operating system is always kept fully updated with the latest security patches released on Patch Tuesday.
• Do Not Check At All
  
  Choose Never check for updates (not recommended) from the drop-down box underImportant updates to completely disable automatic downloads, installations, and even checks for updates.
• Check & Download (Do Not Install)
  
  Choose Download updates but let me choose whether to install them to force Windows Update to check for, and download, available updates. However, no downloaded update will install automatically. You have to explicitly choose to install the updates either from Windows Update or during the next shutdown process.
  
  If you're looking for a little more control over updating Windows 8, this is a good option.
• Check Only (Do Not Download & Do Not Install)Choose Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them to stop Windows Update from downloading and installing updates. You'll still get notifications about new Windows 8 updates but that's all they'll be - notifications.This option gives you complete control over downloads and installations but still keeps you informed of new Windows 8 patches. This is probably a better choice than disabling automatic updates completely.

Posted By GSM Expert09:37

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How To Enable .NET Framework 2.0 and 3.5 in Windows 8

While using Windows 8, I’ve found that a lot of older programs won’t install or run correctly because they require previous versions of .NET Framework. Here’s how to enable support for those versions of .NET Framework.

Some programs will want to download an older version of .NET Framework, but this doesn’t work. You still need to enable it.

From the Windows 8 desktop, open the power user menu and select Control Panel.

From the Control Panel, click Programs and Features.

When the Programs and Features window comes up, click Turn Windows Features On or Off.

Then check .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) and click OK.

Next you’ll need to download files from Windows Update.

Wait while the previous versions of .NET Framework are downloaded and installed.

A restart might be required. I enabled previous versions of .NET on three different Windows 8 systems and my 32 bit version needed to be restarted.

Now you can start using the programs that require the old versions of .NET Framework.

Posted By GSM Expert22:04

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