Windows 8.1 Free Update on Disc for Windows 8 Users?

The Professor

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Hello, everyone. This is my first post. I have been in touch with Microsoft 3 times to ask this question and each time I get referred on to someone else. I would have thought that the answer would have been straight forward so I looked around and found you guys. I guess you can tell from the "title" what I was asking about but here it is anyway.

"will the free download of Windows 8.1 (for existing Windows 8 users) be released on DVD for those with a very slow broadband connection? It would take me 48 hours to download at around 20kb/s - I really need it on disc."

I am waiting for the response to this second rewording of my question and will post Microsoft's response here. In the meantime I would appreciate knowing if anyone here has an answer.

Thanks.

The Professor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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    Laptop
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    HP Envy
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA
You will need to buy the DVD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
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    Notebooks x 3

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
I have heard of a lot of people being able to convert their Downloaded 8.1 installation files to a flash drive or ISO image, M2Cents posted the links on how to do it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
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    PC/Desktop
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    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
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    AMD 4400+/4200+
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    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
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    2 GB/3GB
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    Chrome/IE 10
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    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
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    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I have heard of a lot of people being able to convert their Downloaded 8.1 installation files to a flash drive or ISO image, M2Cents posted the links on how to do it.

Yes, I can confirm that I have it on both a USB flash drive and DVD. I can also confirm that both work; however, the UEFI USB flash drive seems a bit faster.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
I downloaded via this trick, http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html and was able to make an ISO and a bootable thumb drive. The utility will create the ISO or bootable thumb drive for you. I just ran it twice to get one of each.
To the OP, Microsoft isn't offering up a free DVD. Other than the work around you'd have to buy it or have a TechNet or MSDN subscription to obtain a DVD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Thanks for all your replies, guys, although I think that some misunderstood my problem. Downloading is a non-starter at 25kb/s. If Theog is correct ("You will need to buy the DVD."), it is an expensive penalty for those of us with a slow BB connection.

I could really use your USB or DVD, my2cents, but I suspect it will not be possible.

Once again thanks to all who responded.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA
I hear you, and I suspect your not alone. That last link doesn't look to bad though, $15 for just DVD and no product code. Free is always better but $15 is a lot cheaper than the $100 plus for a new license you don't need.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Thank's, alphanumeric. I took a look at that link but did not see it as the up-date that I required. When I saw that it said "Back-up media (media only)" I did not think that it was what I needed. I read the information about the disc/content and it was not very informative. Perhaps I am not too knowledgeable on the subject. However, I also noticed that it has a release date of 15/11/13 so I guess that there will be more information available after that date.

The Professor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA
Yeah, there isn't a lot of info, its 8.1 but which one RTM or GA? If it was the RTM I'd expect it to be available now. There was something mentioned in another thread about Microsoft actually making ISO's available. http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...elease-windows-8-1-isos-month.html#post301771 later this month? If Newegg is waiting on that release I'd expect the DVD's to be the GA release. Either way its 8.1 that you can clean install with. I would imagine its actually 2 DVD's, 1 32 bit and 1 64 bit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
The product (Windows 8.1 Back-up Media - (Media Only)) on the Newegg site is WN7-00542. There is no further information from Newegg nor Microsoft as yet available.

I guess if we wish to find out we should pester these two fine organizations with requests for detailed specification about the product.

Important features would be does this support both 64- and 32-bit versions and Core, Pro and WMC installations?

If we only have Windows 8 product license Keys, will the back-up work?

Will the back-up work on OEM installations with embedded keys and secure boot without user entry of keys.

Will the back-up work on a new replacement hard disk if the old one has failed?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Hopefully its Retail Windows 8.1 install media. I would think that's what most people would want. A 32 bit DVD and a 64 bit DVD, that is multi edition. Able to install Core or Pro with the option to add Media Center to Pro.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I second that, Alphanumeric, that would be the sensible option. Am I allowed to put the words "sensible" and "Microsoft" in the same sentence on this Forum without getting "reported"? ;) I will check back later as we draw closer to the release date (15/11/2013).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA
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