HI yoopits,

Windows 8 product key is embedded on the systemboard. If the virtual machine software is able to detect the key from the systemboard then the operating system will be activated.

The other option you can try is to shrink the C drive and install the linux operating system on the other partition.

Firstly media created by Dell Backup and Recovery likely won't be able to be used and you will need to request a proper Windows 8.0/8.1 Reinstallation DVD from Dell.

Secondly the Windows 8.0/8.1 BIOS embedded system locked preinstallation key won't be detected by a VM as the BIOS is a virtual BIOS and not a Dell BIOS. You could attempt to identify the product key using RW-Everything but likely it won't activate:

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/obtaining-your-oem-bios-embedded-slp-product-key-using-rw-everything-oem-only/

It will be far easier to install Linux in a Virtual Machine using something like VMWare Player:

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free

También puedes probar a instalar Windows virtualizado con VirtualBox siguiendo los pasos del siguiente tutorial: Cómo instalar Windows en VirtualBox: http://cursohacker.es/instalar-windows-en-virtualbox

Thanks and gracias everybody. I was hoping there was a straightforward way, but since this is not an important requirement, I will stick with Windows 7 for now. When I seriously need Windows 8 I will deal with Microsoft, burned-in product keys, trying different approaches, and the aggravation of it all. (Y ensayar leer espanol, si es necesario.)

Thanks and gracias everybody. I was hoping there was a straightforward way, but since this is not an important requirement, I will stick with Windows 7 for now. When I seriously need Windows 8 I will deal with Microsoft, burned-in product keys, trying different approaches, and the aggravation of it all. (Y ensayar leer espanol, si es necesario.)

If you get the system shipped with Windows 8.1 Professional then you may use your downgrade rights to Windows 7 professional which will allow you to install Windows 7 Professional without purchasing it again. Downgrade rights are not applicable to Windows 8.1 (Home/Core).