I have windows 8.1 in laptop which is not pre-installed. I want to install arch linux along side windows.
Here is some info about my Bios mode,windows and laptop
Windows : 8.1 x64
BIOS Mode: Legacy
Secure boot state: Unsupported
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2350M CPU
RAM : 2 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
Video Graphics : AMD Radeon HD 7450M (1 GB DDR3 dedicated)

I have four partitions on my Hardisk
Checkout this screenshot http://s12.postimg.org/k855prc0d/Screenshot_28.png

As i know , i will have to create 3 partitions for for Arch linux i.e /var partition, /boot #boot is where the bootloader gonna be installed, /home #home is where we store our music/vidoes etc.

1. I want to install Arch linux on free space. Is it possible?
2. How much data will be downloaded during installation process ?
3. Do i need fast internet connection for installation ?

since you're not using those fancy new bootloaders, there's no problem (however i didn't even know that's possible with windows 8).

49.35GB? yes, totally enough. after you're through with the beginner's guide your arch install is just a few 100MB, and the lighter guis amount to slightly more than 1GB.

however, 1 partition for the complete install is sufficient.

i have the feeling that you have not yet consulted the arch wiki, which tells me that arch maybe isn't the right distro for you.

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Thanks .I am not completely unfamiliar with linux OS. I have used ubuntu for 1 year .I have read Arch wiki article .Yeah may be ,its not right distro for me, but i am gonna try it once.Just i am worried about partition step because i have never used command line partitioning tool. Thanks again.

So i have almost 44GB free space which will be used for installation of arch linux, Do i need to create 2 more partitions for /Boot and /home folder from this free space?

well if you REALLY want to LEARN how to install and BUILD a operating system from the Ground up

Arch or Linux From scratch are good choices


learn to install Arch First
https://wiki.archlinux.org/
it is a what ever YOU want operating system

read the section "The Arch Way"
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/The_Arch_Way

what you install is basically a terminal and some tools

NO GUI !!!
you have to manually install that
and manually configure it

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Installation_guide

treat the Arch wiki as a collage textbook for a 400 level class
the final IS the install of Arch

so prepare a theses for installing it
( at least write out ON PAPER with a #2 pencil a detailed outline )
then install it

Yes this will require research and a LOT of studying on your part
-- just like a 400 level class

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I want to know , I have three primary partitions ,One logical drive and free space, which type of partition i need to create for dual boot ?

well seeing as you can only have 4 primary partitions on a dos table partition drive

for arch
you really will want grub on a PRIMARY partition
then the rest on logical
BUT
windows's mbr ALSO is a primary

weather or not you try to fight with Microsofts bastard child of uefi called "secureboot" that is up to you
me
i will not even play the game with Microsoft
and use a second /boot partition ( on a primary )

but
grub will boot windows
so ...... that is up to you

and although this is NOT really a must have
a "SWAP" partition on a primary is a good idea

I have mention in my first post about Boot mode of BIOS which is legacy and secure boot is unsupported.Therefore i don't need to fight with UEFI.

As you said i will have to use 2nd /boot partition, I want to use "free space" for creating primary partition ,is it possible ?