Solved Need Windows 8

I just bought a laptop (slightly used). Its a ToshibaC855D-S5340. Having a problem with updates. They will not download regardless if I do them manually or let it auto update. I followed what MS suggested and still no go. Did a system restore to factory and still no go. Everything else seems to work. A little slow for me. I was thinking about just wiping it and installing 8. This way I can get rid of all the bloatware and have a fresh start.

I have not done this with 8. With 7, I justed use an ISO and install it. Where can you get 8? Or should I say a legitimate 8 ISO? And anything else I may need to know about 8 in this situation would be greatly appreciated.

win 8 iso

you can get win 8 iso from microsoft they even give you the software to make a bootable usb from it to install you just then need a key when installed.

i just done a fresh install in mine, it was a oem key so it didnt even ask for a key after i went through the trouble of getting it out of bios. It was rather easy but i still want to make a live usb with win 8, i have win 7 and linux on live usb for when my other computeer need stuff done on the hdd so no need to pull the drive out.

Hello Copiman,

You can use OPTION ONE to download a Windows 8 ISO from Microsoft.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

Thanks for the link. I will need to do some reading on this before I do it. I may have more questions tomorrow. Still need to think this through before doing it.

Re-doing the reset to out of box right now just to see if it will update. If I read correctly, you have to have 8 up to date before you can go to 8.1.

Could not find a download on Microsoft site.

If you like, you could directly install and activate Windows 8.1 using installation media created from the ISO file from OPTION ONE.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have.

copiman said:

Thanks for the link. I will need to do some reading on this before I do it. I may have more questions tomorrow. Still need to think this through before doing it.

Re-doing the reset to out of box right now just to see if it will update. If I read correctly, you have to have 8 up to date before you can go to 8.1.

Could not find a download on Microsoft site.

Click to expand...

You upgrade from Windows 8.0 to 8.1 though the Windows Store. One of the Windows updates will enable it to be available in the store. Once your fully updated it should show up in the Windows Store. I personally think doing a clean install of 8.1 is a better option. Less things to go wrong. The new option one Brink linked too, will install with and activate with your OEM Windows 8.0 Embeded key. It will read it and use it automatically. Assuming you install the correct version.

Thanks everyone. I did the reset to out of box. All updates loaded and then updated to 8.1. Its running soooo much better.

Just so I know, if I did a clean install with the iso, would that just overwrite the OS and leave everything else in tact? Or would I loose everything and just have the OS?

What I do is store my DATA ( documents, pictures etc) on a separate drive or partition. Then when I do a clean install I only wipe the partition Windows is installed on. All my DATA stays intact. Normally yes, a clean install will wipe everything and you start over with just the OS installed. You then have to install any missing drivers followed by any programs like office that you want to use.

Thank you. Forgive my ignorance, I am a student studying computers and networking. Maybe one day I will be in position to help others.

No problem, you learn by asking, so no need to apologize. To most people a clean install means wiping the old version of Windows and installing a new "clean" version. A fresh install. What you end up with is just Windows.

Now, If you were to do a factory Reset on an PC that came with Windows Preinstalled, it's a different story. That refreshes an image and puts it back to factory state. Often referred to as the OOBE, Out Of the Box Experience. It's back to the way it was the first time you turned it on. It will also have all the factory installed programs that many class as bloat. That's why Clean installs are popular with those that know how to do one. It gets rid of all the factory installed programs you'll likely never use. Most are trial anyway. I hope that helps.

Thanks again. The head is straight.

this "factory out of the box restore" ..

if you "wipe" the drive will it destroy that "factory out fo the box" restore partition?? like if i use the "clean" command on diskpart on drive C..??

Not sure what your asking. What are you trying to do?

copiman said:

Not sure what your asking. What are you trying to do?

Click to expand...

i'm saying if I "wipe" the C: drive with a "clean" command in diskpart.. won't that ruin the recovery partition to restore a laptop "factory OEM out of the box" recovery ..

where does the computer store the factory reset information data?? on c: drive? cause if i wipe that clean won't that be gone? thats what i'm asking..

Yes, if you wipe the drive and delete all partitions, the factory recovery option will be gone.

What if your hard drive looked like this? This is a new desktop that has not been altered. Could you install Windows on a partition and leave the factory partition alone?

Yes, but it will still likely break the link to the recovery function. Your special function key to do the factory restore won't work. That's what I've seen posted anyway. One way around this is to take out the factory drive and swap in a brand new blank drive to install Windows too. Then if you think you are going to have to return your PC you just swap the factory drive back in. I'm guessing that's what your worried about? Why else would you do what you want to do?

Thank you. Just trying to learn more about partitions and installation of windows.