How to Set Up Android SDK (fastboot/adb) On Windows 8

Android Debug Bridge and Fastboot are two tools that Android SDK has brought along with itself. These tools are extremely necessary for custom recovery and here is the full tutorial to set up Fastboot and ADB so that the issues of USB drivers never crop up when you are trying a new firmware.

Pre-Requisites

The prerequisites of this method are an android phone like Galaxy Nexus, MicroUSB cable and PC.

The Tutorial

Follow the tutorial as mentioned below-

To begin with download the Java Platform (JDK) and run it on your system.
From the Android developers site download the Android SDK software. Click to Other platforms and download Windows file in ZIP package preferably for Windows 8.
Extract this Zip file in any drive of your PC, like your D: Drive. So this is now D:android-sdk-windows.
Now open the SDK Manger that will slowly open all the packages.
Now you will have to select only two packages- Android SDK Platform- Tools and Google USB Driver Options and check on them. Uncheck on all the other options. Now run the two packages.
Now give confirmation by Accept All and then Install feature. The downloading will now proceed.
You may have to wait for some time, and as soon as the screen showing the complete installation appears.
Now visit the Android SDK folder and notice that Platform tools and Extras are showing there.

Note: We have procured all the files and USB drivers necessary for ADB setting up on the Galaxy Nexus. However, for other android phones the drivers are different.

Enable USB debugging on the Nexus by going to settings, then Developer options, then checking in USB Debugging. If you do not notice the Developer options, go to the About section and tap seven times on Build Number.
Now get your Nexus connected to computer and check for the number of drives that could be installed on your PC.
Now go to Start, then to Control Panel, then to System and then to Device Manager. Now in the list that appears check in your Nexus in the “Other Devices” option.
And select Update Driver Software.
In the screen that appears choose the second option.
Again choose the option that comes second on the next screen.
Now choose Show All devices and tap on Next
Here choose on the Have DisK button. Now browse to the directory D:android-sdk-windowsextrasgoogleusb_driver, selecting android_winusb.inf. Choose Open and then OK.
Here you will notice an inventory of Android Drivers, and choose Android ADB Interface in this. Click Next to continue and then choose Yes.
Now the driver installation will start and you may have to wait. Click on the Install button, if the warning message pops up.
As soon as you have successfully completed the installation, you will notice a ‘Congratulations’ screen.
It is now time to verify the ADB drivers installation and for that you will have to go to the directory of platform-tools.
Click on Shift+right Click altogether and then choose Open Command Prompt here.
Click ADB devices option under Command Prompt Window and choose Enter
If you notice the ADB installation screen, your setting up of ADB is complete on the computer.

Note: ADB is now installed on your android. To set up Fastboot on Nexus also you can proceed now. The downloaded USB drives will help to do so.

Fastboot USB drivers may be varying for different android phones, but in all cases Bootloader must be unlocked and refer Google to know how your device is unlocked.

Now remove the Android and switch it off.
Now press simultaneously the two buttons Volume up +Volume Down + Power and the Bootloader/Fastboot mode will show now.
Now connect Nexus to the PC and check the number of drivers that could be installed.
Now go to Start-Control Panel, then to System and then to Device Manager, to see your Android 1.0 on the list.