Technically, a PC does not need an existing operating system to boot official installation media and install Windows. But Windows 8 and 8.1 are no longer supported. On a PC that can run a supported release, installing an old unsupported system for daily internet use is a poor long-term choice.
Check the PC maker's model-specific support page for storage, graphics, network, and firmware drivers. Check whether the firmware supports the boot mode your installer needs. You also need a legitimate license for the exact Windows edition you install; a blank disk does not remove activation requirements. If the machine has data on another drive, disconnect that drive during setup to reduce the risk of deleting the wrong disk.
If you have no already-owned Windows 8 license or trustworthy official media, consider a currently supported operating system compatible with the hardware instead. Do not download modified or “preactivated” Windows images from third-party sites.
Step 1. On another working PC, obtain installation media through an official channel available for your license and make a bootable USB drive. Confirm the media's edition and architecture, and keep your product key and device drivers available. If official media is no longer available for your scenario, stop rather than using an untrusted image.
Step 2. Insert the USB into the blank PC, open its one-time boot menu using the manufacturer-documented key, and select the USB entry in the intended UEFI or Legacy mode. At Windows Setup, confirm language and keyboard layout.
Step 3. Choose the correct edition and Custom installation. Identify the intended target by capacity. On a genuinely blank target, select unallocated space and let Setup create needed partitions. Do not delete partitions on a drive that might contain files.
Step 4. After the first restart, boot from the new internal drive rather than starting the installer again. Finish setup, install official drivers, activate with the valid license, and restore separately backed-up files. Do not treat a successful install as proof that the unsupported OS is secure.
Qiling Disk Master cannot replace official installation media or provide a Windows license. Once a working, licensed system is installed and configured, you can create a system image to separate storage for future recovery. If your real goal is to move an existing licensed Windows installation from another drive, disk cloning is a different workflow and may preserve apps; it is not a clean install.
A blank PC can boot an installer, but compatibility, legitimate media, licensing, and long-term support determine whether Windows 8 is the right choice. Prefer a supported OS when the hardware allows it.