With even Microsoft having their online store, this would be an easy one I thought. Get on http://www.microsoftstore.com.hk/ order Windows 8.1, pay, download, install and run.
Ah well, nearly that is then. Select, pay and download worked easy and fast. Then the installation. Creating a specific Windows virtual machine was obviously an easy one. The next step was installing the Windows OS. The version would allow for a clean install. Unfortunately the approach Microsoft had in mind was a different one than most people had in mind.
Rather than providing an ISO file, allowing to mount it as a drive to get Parallels to install from it Microsoft in all their wisdom decided to offer an .exe file. For this to work you would need a running Windows version. No issues here as XP was running. Ah well, nearly since the file requires at least Windows 7 and if you want 8 to run in 64bit mode it can only be installed if started from a 64bit edition.
So basically one need to have a modern version Windows even if you want to do a full clean install. That was slightly different than planned for. Now the search begins, where to find a proper workable ISO file for download. In other words - time to get creative on the web and see what we can find.
After a little research - google brought me http://getintopc.com/softwares/operating-systems/download-windows-8-pro/ The site links to 2 different ISO files that once downloaded can be used to run a quick install. With the 64bit version installed, the downloaded exe installation file could be kickstarted and a proper installation done.
Before that there were a few small hurdles to be tackled though. When starting the first installation the next message popped up on the screen:
Windows cannot find the Microsoft Software License Terms. Make sure the installation sources are valid and restart the installation.
Luckily it was an easy fix. Un-tick express installation at the start of the process and continue as per http://kb.parallels.com/en/114652
Another way to get the installation going is described at http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-CLEAN-Install-Windows-8-directly-from-Hard-/ though requires a few additional tricks and still needs a modern windows version installed.
Another way to get the installation going is described at http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-CLEAN-Install-Windows-8-directly-from-Hard-/ though requires a few additional tricks and still needs a modern windows version installed.
