How to download the Windows 8.1 ISO

[mosharino]

Many thanks to you and the OP for the clear instructions. I have a Gateway Mini that won't run apps no matter how you try to tweak it (registry hacks..........external monitor). I am at 65% download as we speak and if my original product key works for installation I will be a happy camper.

You will most likely need one of those generic keys I heard a lot about for the install. Then you can change the product key (using yours) after install and then activate it. This thread has instructions how.

This seems to only work for those with Retail keys...and not OEM :-( Such a shame

Do you mean for the cchange product key part? I know you need a retail for the download part.

Such a shame for those with OEM keys.

 

[Tweakfiend]

Useless trick.

This trick doesn't allow current Win8 key owners to download 8.1 ISO so I can't see where the trick is !

Incorrect.... it does allow the download of 8.1 which however shows the 8.0 reg details, so wont install separately unless the generic key, as above is first used (?)
Personally
I wont risk that.
Meanwhile the 8.1 update version from Microsoft store I installed on 17/10/13 had generated its own new registration key .

 

[DavidY]

I have no idea why?

OEM manufacturer's License.

15. SUPPORT AND REFUND PROCEDURES
For the software generally, contact the manufacturer or installer for support options. Refer to the support number provided with the software.

Just to expand on this, as I think this is why there is no ISO...

PCs with Windows 8 pre-installed were only sold from 26 Oct 2012, so they're all less than a year old today.

So in most countries that mean you'll still be covered by the Manufacturer's warranty and be able to call the OEM for support. If you do, then the OEM will be able to talk you through using the Recovery Partition or other features they've installed to help you.

If you pay Microsoft to upgrade from XP/7 etc. to Windows 8 or 8.1, then Microsoft would provide some support, but for the 8->8.1 upgrade, you haven't paid them anything.

If a user with the free upgrade from 8 to 8.1 needs support, then I believe it's still the OEM's responsibility to fix it, as it probably would be if you'd installed a Service Pack.

So the last thing the OEMs want is lots of users downloading ISOs, wiping their Recovery Partitions etc, and then coming to the OEM for support when they have problems, which the OEM can no longer fix as easily.

 

[SIW2]

Yes, there is only one image.

The rollup is included. You also get the new boot.wim and winre.wim with 16415 version boot files.

Unfortunately it is an install.esd, that bit is the same you get from the store upgrade thing.

I wouldn't use an os unless I had the proper installation media.

It looks like the final (GA) version was finished on 30/9/13.

I have TechNet so I haven't bothered trying this trick out. I've been watching with keen interest though. If you can spare a minute I have a question or two to ask.
It looks like the install media you end up with is Core or Pro, not multi? Depending on the key you enter to download yes?
Is there actually anything added that isn't in the TechNet ISO, such as the rollup update?
I do have a Windows 7 PC to try this out on but I'm just wondering if I should bother. If I didn't have TechNet I would have already bit the bullet and done it.

 

[ARTPOP]

Hey!
8.1 .iso downloaded by this metod, is final and the same iso which will be sold in stores?

 

[SIW2]

It is final. Not sure if the store versions will have it packed differently. The downloaded version is packed in a compressed file called an esd. The store version may well be in .wim format. Maybe not.

It appears MS is trying to control everything. Locking the image away in an esd is one way to do it.

 

[anuj kumar]

i am using windows 8 pro..evry time i run it says ..cant connect to inetrnet...?

internet is working ..!!

 

[nishadrox]

Guys can any of you please give me a torrent link for the Genuine Win 8.1 Pro En-GB ISO file? Thanks in advance.

 

[DMHolt57]

...hmmm, first post, hasn't read the rules,...bait car...lol.

 

[nishadrox]

...hmmm, first post, hasn't read the rules,...bait car...lol.

Can I please know which rules I have broken. I didn't ask for any pirated torrent links. I asked for the genuine ISO file from Microsoft.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes, there is only one image.

The rollup is included. You also get the new boot.wim and winre.wim with 16415 version boot files.

Unfortunately it is an install.esd, that bit is the same you get from the store upgrade thing.

I wouldn't use an os unless I had the proper installation media.

It looks like the final (GA) version was finished on 30/9/13.

I have TechNet so I haven't bothered trying this trick out. I've been watching with keen interest though. If you can spare a minute I have a question or two to ask.
It looks like the install media you end up with is Core or Pro, not multi? Depending on the key you enter to download yes?
Is there actually anything added that isn't in the TechNet ISO, such as the rollup update?
I do have a Windows 7 PC to try this out on but I'm just wondering if I should bother. If I didn't have TechNet I would have already bit the bullet and done it.

I had a go and downloaded it on my Windows 7 PC. My 7 PC is my media PC and uses our big screen TV as a monitor. My wife is watching her cooking shows so I've been doing things during the commercials. I'm just copying the ISO over to this PC to have a look at it. I'll likely just make a bootable thumb drive.

 

[DMHolt57]

Microsoft doesn't do torrents...

 

[nishadrox]

Microsoft doesn't do torrents...

Yeah. I know. Has no one uploaded his/her ISO file obtained this way to a torrent site or any other hosting site?

 

[theog]

Microsoft doesn't do torrents...

Yeah. I know. Has no one uploaded his/her ISO file obtained this way to a torrent site or any other hosting site?

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/53-forum-rules-please-read.html

4) No discussion of piracy or anything illegal is allowed at all. Such as software, music, videos and other intellectual property violations.

 

[nishadrox]

Microsoft doesn't do torrents...

Yeah. I know. Has no one uploaded his/her ISO file obtained this way to a torrent site or any other hosting site?

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/53-forum-rules-please-read.html

4) No discussion of piracy or anything illegal is allowed at all. Such as software, music, videos and other intellectual property violations.

No. This is a misunderstanding. I'm asking for the LEGAL ISO from Microsoft. Not pirated torrents. I respect your rules.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yeah. I know. Has no one uploaded his/her ISO file obtained this way to a torrent site or any other hosting site?

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/53-forum-rules-please-read.html

4) No discussion of piracy or anything illegal is allowed at all. Such as software, music, videos and other intellectual property violations.

No. This is a misunderstanding. I'm asking for the LEGAL ISO from Microsoft. Not pirated torrents. I respect your rules.

It would be illegal for us to torrent the ISO in the first place as per the EULA.

 

[nishadrox]

http://www.eightforums.com/general-discussion/53-forum-rules-please-read.html

No. This is a misunderstanding. I'm asking for the LEGAL ISO from Microsoft. Not pirated torrents. I respect your rules.

It would be illegal for us to torrent the ISO in the first place as per the EULA.

Oh! I didn't know that. Sorry.

 

[alphanumeric]

No. This is a misunderstanding. I'm asking for the LEGAL ISO from Microsoft. Not pirated torrents. I respect your rules.

It would be illegal for us to torrent the ISO in the first place as per the EULA.

Oh! I didn't know that. Sorry.

Your not allowed to redistribute the media. People do it anyway. Even so posting a link to an anonymous upload would get you in trouble with the mods here.

 

[alphanumeric]

Well I just made a bootable thumb drive and booted from it. Went as far as language selection and bailed out. Both of my Windows 8.1 PCs are running just fine so I'm in no hurry to redo them. I may test it on my wife's laptop, its still running its factory Windows 8.0. I've upgraded it to Pro + MC but that's about all. It might be a while before I actually do it though. I'll have to back up some of her stuff first. If this works OK it may be my new install image as I only ever install Pro anyway.

 

[bkr32]

hey all so managed to download iso install went successful until it asks for critical updates it rebooted and now just shows a black screen after which hdd activity goes into idle safe mode says it cannot continue installation startup repair is unsuccessful sfc scan says their is a pending operation,anyone else experiencing this and are there any solutions