How to install Windows 8 from a USB drive

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For many enthusiasts there's nothing quite like getting your hands on a shiny new release of Microsoft's Windows operating system. And that's precisely why the web is buzzing with all things Microsoft, as the software giant has made available a Consumer Preview of its next flagship OS, Windows 8.

The Consumer Preview is strictly a pre-release version of Windows 8 and is free to try, but Microsoft is keen to stress that the software is "not the finished product," and states that "you should back up your data and you shouldn't test Windows 8 Consumer Preview on your primary home or business PC."

Food for thought, but if you are intent on trying Windows 8 and you have no intention of donating a blank DVD, here's a brief guide on how to easily install Windows 8 from a USB pen drive.

Here's what you need: a USB pen drive (4GB or greater in size), the Windows 8 Consumer Preview disk image file (64-bit download here, 32-bit download here), Microsoft's Windows 7 USB tool (download here) and a working PC.

Once you have all those, follow these steps:

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