Solved Can I use this USB to re-install Windows 8?

Hi, new to the Forum, so this may be my first post also. I am currently downloading the installation file to a USB mentioned in the thread. In the hope that this solves my issue. I ran into major issues when trying to downgrade an HP Envy-m6 1178sa machine that shipped with Windows 8 factory installed, with an OEM recovery partition. I got to a point where I could not install Windows 7, and called up command prompt and executed a CLEAN command (the details of which I can't remember). Anyway, long story short, I no longer have the OEM recovery as I wiped everything. Could not get the drivers to work with Windows 7, so have disabled secure boot, and using legacy installed Windows 8.1 Pro. Pretty sure that it is not a UEFI version, as it will not install with secure boot enabled.

I never created recovery media when using the factory installed Windows 8 (whoops), and now wonder if I can use this USB to re-install Windows 8, and save myself having to send back the laptop to have the OEM Recovery partition re-flashed onto it? I'm not sure if they even will, due to me having deleted the partition with the WIPE/CLEAN command ? And will it install in UEFI mode, i.e. with secure boot enabled in the BIOS beforehand?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

Spitfire

Hello Spitfire, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Yes, you can use OPTION ONE in the tutorial below to download an official Windows 8.1 ISO file from Microsoft, create a bootable UEFI USB installation media, and do a clean install of Windows 8.1 with. It will activate with the Windows 8 or 8.1 key embedded in your motherboard's UEFI firmware chip. After Windows is installed, you could go to your PC manufacturer's website to download the drivers for your PC model number.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

This USB flash drive can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode, if you download the Windows 8.1 installation media from Microsoft's web site and select the "USB flash drive" option.

You need at least 8 GB USB flash drive, if you select option "USB flash drive".

Thanks very much for your help Brink and genet. I successfully created a USB media installation and have now recovered an official UEFI Windows 8.1 install. Can I assume that even though I selected version 8, rather than 8.1, Microsoft are no longer signing windows 8, and that is how I ended up on 8.1?

Glad we could help. If you used OPTION ONE, it only has Windows 8.1 available.

It'll save you time with Windows Update by having the latest version anyways.

Brink said:

Glad we could help. If you used OPTION ONE, it only has Windows 8.1 available.

It'll save you time with Windows Update by having the latest version anyways.

Click to expand...

Thanks [emoji6], and agreed having 8.1 legitimate copy will ensure windows 10 update becomes available on machine.