#Windows8 for free

If you are excited about Windows 8 and want to try it now, or want to test some of your existing application for compatibility, then this post will give you a simple a free way to trial this software.

This will be achieved by installing VMware Player onto your existing computer, which will allow you to install a totally segregated copy of Windows 8.  This will not impact on your existing operating system and can be simply deleted when you are done.

Please note, that you will need to assign some resources to the new virtual operating system, and this can affect the performance of the host computer, when both are running.  However, when the Virtual Operating System is switched off, these resources will be available to the host machine again.

The version of Windows 8 is a release preview, so is for test purposes only, we wouldn't recommend using this for a mission critical purpose.  As a release preview, the final release may differ from this version.

Step 1. Download a copy of the Microsoft Windows 8 release preview (.iso file)
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

Save this to a location that you will be able to find later on such as the desktop.

Step 2. Install VMware Player
http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

Step 3. Point VMware player to the Windows 8 .iso file and then confirm the resources available to the new O/S.  Remember, any resources that you give to the virtual machine will be taken from the host machine, so give as much as you can, but not too much.  You can alter this later.

Step 4.  Set things running and enjoy Windows 8!

#VMware #GoPro

Simplifying Virtualization and IT for Small and Midsized Businesses

VMware Go Pro makes it disruptively simple to deploy and extend virtualization, and to manage and protect your infrastructure, and it is specifically designed to help small and midsize businesses begin or extend virtualization efforts.
VMware Go Pro is available with the VMware Essentials and Essentials Plus kits, through VMware partners

VMware Go Pro benefits:

• Deploy virtualization effortlessly with step-by-step wizards that guide you through every step of installing hypervisors, creating new virtual machines and migrating existing physical servers
• Secure your infrastructure with automated patch deployment across physical and virtual machines, for Microsoft and third party software
• Proactively enhance your physical and virtual systems with the IT Advisor – a unique tool that assesses your entire infrastructure, identifies risks to your network and makes recommendations on how best to deploy virtualization
• Streamline trouble ticket management with an easy help desk and user portal
• Maximize your hardware resources throughout their lifecycle with hardware asset management
• Maintain compliance with software license management solutions
• Enhance uptime and reliability with ongoing recommendations on opportunities to extend virtualization on your existing hardware
• User friendly management and monitoring of your virtual infrastructure