The HTC Shift is a ultra portable computer which runs runs Windows Vista. This guide shows you how to install Windows 8 on the device and take advantage of the touch friendly UI and the improvements in power management that comes in the latest version of Windows.
The Shift comes with a ARM and x86 hardware combination which allows it's user to switch between Windows Vista and Windows Mobile. By installing Windows 8 give the device whole new lease in life.
The installation process is not too complex and just requires the steps to be followed carefully. Once you are done with the installation you will need to install the drivers, which is very important to have your device running optimally. Requirements Hardware - Computer running Microsoft Windows
- USB Drive (8GB or larger)
- Ethernet Adapter (optional)
Software
- Download Windows 8 (32-bit) Release Preview. You could also use the final build of Windows 8 instead of the Release Preview.
- Download Windows USB/DVD Download Tool
- Download HTC Shift Drivers for Windows Vista (HTC has removed access to the original drivers, but these should work)
- Control Center
- Vista EC Driver
- TouchScreen Driver
- Synaptics Micro Pad Driver
- You will also have to download the following updated drivers
- Download Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1
Notes
- This process will require you to fully erase the hard drive on your HTC Shift, and perform a clean install of Windows 8. Upgrading is not recommended.
- You will have to find a way to manually re-install Windows Vista or Windows 7 if you want to revert back. This guide does not cover that information
- The HTC Shift does not have the minimum requirements to run Windows 8, and you should not expect optimal performance on this device.
- Remove all external hardware unless and only if mentioned in this guide during the setup process
- Ensure you have enabled Wi-Fi. If you don't you may require a Ethernet Adapter to get online.
Installation
- You will need to prepare a Windows 8 USB disk. A guide is available for that here.
- Prepare your Windows 8 USB disk for the HTC Shift
- Open USB disk in Windows Explorer
- Create a folder and name it 'Drivers' in the main folder
- Copy 'Intel GMA Driver' and 'Windows Mobile Device Center' into the Drivers folder.
- Extract the other zipped files you downloaded into the Drivers folder.
- Insert USB drive into HTC Shift and turn on the device
- At the BIOS screen press Fn + 0 and select your USB disk as the boot device.
- If you cannot see the disk your disk partition needs to be fixed and Windows needs to be copied back on before you can proceed.
- If the disk is detected you should see Setup start after a few minutes.
- Select Language and Keyboard Layout of your choice
- Select Custom Install.
- Select Drive Options (advanced)
- Delete all the disk partitions on the device.
- Ensure you are left with 'Disk 0 Unallocated Space' and click Next.
- The process should take around 30 mins so sit back and wait for Windows to be installed.
- Once the Windows setup process is complete and the device restarts you will;
- Be presented with the Setup Wizard,
- Allow it to run and install the drivers.
- Touchscreen and graphics drivers wont be installed at this point,
- So use the touchpad and keyboard to navigate.
- You wont be asked to connect to your Windows Live ID as your internet wont be working yet.
- You should eventually be presented with the Metro UI on Windows 8.
Setup Hardware and Drivers.
In order to properly use Windows 8 you will have to install certain drivers. It is important to install drivers in the correct order as you may have to deal with errors. Some drivers will be installed automatically by Windows Update, but we will leave that for the end.
Your drivers should be in the Drivers folder you created on your USB disk. Access the folder and install the drivers in the order mentioned below. - Install Embedded Controller driver
- Install in Windows Vista (SP2) Compatibility Mode.
- Install touchscreen driver
- Install in Windows Vista (SP2) Compatibility Mode.
- You must select 'Run as Administrator'.
- Install Synaptics MicroPad Driver.
- Intsall HTC Shift Control Center
- Install in Windows Vista (SP2) Compatibility Mode.
- When you are asked to enabled 'Microsoft .NET 3.5.1' select Cancel. You do not need .NET to enable Wifi. Also you still dont have internet so you can't really download anything.
- Allow device to restart at this point.
- Install WiFi Driver
- You will find Shift Control center as one of the Metro tiles
- Click to Start the application
- Turn on Wireless LAN
- Windows will find an unknown hardware.
- Close Control Center and Open Windows Explorer,
- Right Click on Computer in left pane and select Manage.
- Select Device Manager and scroll down to Other devices.
- Select Marvell 802.11 SDIO ID: 0B,
- 'Right Click' on it and Select 'Update driver software'
- Browse to the location of the Network drivers on your USB disk and select it.
- Allow Windows to install the network drivers, and get your internet connection running
- Go to Windows Update and update your network driver.
- Install Windows Mobile Device Center
- Install Graphics Driver
- One you install the graphics driver, note that Windows Metro requires a minimum resolution of 1024 x 768, and the HTC Shift has only 1024 x 600.
- You can set the resolution to 1152 x 864 but that may make the classic desktop view too small.
- You may want to use classic desktop at 1024 x 600 and Metro at 1152 x 864 for best use.
- Install .NET 3.5.1
- You will need to install .NET to get full functionality of the Shift Control Center.
- You can invoke the .NET setup by pressing the resolution switch button above the TouchPad. This will start the application which will search and install .NET.
- Once it is installed you can toggle between 800x480 and 1024x600
- Windows Update should be done once more to ensure you have the latest drivers and updates running. Remember that Windows 8 is a pre-beta software and you should install all the drivers and update that are recommended to you.
- Link to Windows Live ID
- It is a good idea to link your device up to Windows Live and get access to all the cloud features of Window
- To enable navigate to Control Panel
- Select users
- Sign into your Windows Live ID or create one if you don't have one already.
That's it you are all done, and have an HTC Shift running Windows 8.
The HTC Shift may be a device which does not meet Microsoft's minimum requirement for Windows 8, but since it can run Windows Vista, it does a great job running Windows 8. The other good thing is that it can run all of the hardware on the device, like the fingerprint scanner and webcam out of the box.
If you have any questions regarding installing Windows 8 on the HTC Shift or other devices leave us a question in the comments section and we will be sure to get back to you.