Win 8.1 clean install

Spent hours trying to access a Win 8.1 iso to enable a clean install. Tried all info noted in the forums with no luck. Finally decided to do a Win 8 clean install and upgrade through the store. So far so good with Win 8 iso, then updates, then currently downloading the 8.1 store update. Plans are to apply all of the current 8.1 updates and then save as a Macrium image. No other software or programs to be applied to the image. 4.5 hours and counting.

Excellent idea!

4.5 hours and counting.

Click to expand...

Ouch!

I upgraded through the Store & did all Windows Updates & everything worked good.
Even 8.1.1 {8.1 update 1 & others up to date}

No problems.

Finished update to 8.1. Now to save image. 5.5 hours total

Will the installer recognize if the drive is completely blank with no NTFS or any sort of file system?