Clean Install - Windows 8

How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1​


This tutorial will show you how to do a clean install of Windows 8 (ex: System Builder copy) or Windows 8.1 on your PC.


Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 System Requirements
Windows 8 works great on the same hardware that powers Windows 7.

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster

RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

Graphics card: MicrosoftDirectX 9 graphics device or higher

Additional requirements to use certain features:

  • To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch.
  • To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768.
  • To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768.

warning   Warning
If you want to install Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 using UEFI instead of BIOS, then see this below first.

How to Install Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)

If you wanted to do a clean install with Windows 8 upgrade media, then see the tutorial below first.

How to Do a Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade





Here's How:

1. Boot the computer from your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 installation DVD or USB flash drive.

Tip   Tip
Enable or Disable Always Automatically Boot PC from USB Drive in Windows To Go Startup Options

How to Boot from a USB Drive within Windows 8 and 8.1

How to Boot from a USB Drive on Surface



2. Select your language preferences, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


Step1.png


3. Click/tap on the Install Now button to start the installation. (see screenshot below)


Step2.jpg

4. Enter your product key that matches the installed edition of Windows, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Note   Note
The product key you enter must match what you are installing, or it will not work.

If this is an OEM computer that came with Windows 8 or 8.1 preinstalled, then your product key is stored in the UEFI/BIOS firmware chip and will be automatically detected instead.


You will not be able to enter a Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack product key. These are considered to be an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8/8.1. These can only be added after Windows 8/8.1 is installed, then use Add Features to upgrade to the Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack.

If you have a retail Windows 8 product key and want to clean install Windows 8, then see How to Do a Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade instead.

If you have a retail Windows 8 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install unactivated with, and change the product key later on in step 22 below to activate with your Windows 8 key.

If you have a retail Windows 8.1 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update, then you are good.

If you have an OEM Windows 8 product key and want to clean install Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update, then you would need to enter a generic key below to install unactivated with, and change the product key later on in step 22 below to activate with your OEM Windows 8 COA product key.

If you want to clean install Windows 8 Enterprise, Windows 8.1 Enterprise, or Windows 8.1 Update Enterprise, then you would need to change the product key later on in step 22 below to activate since Enterprise editions do not ask to enter a key at this step.

Generic keys to install with:

  • Windows 8 (core): FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3
  • Windows 8 Pro: XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
  • Windows 8 Pro with Media Center: RR3BN-3YY9P-9D7FC-7J4YF-QGJXW
  • Windows 8.1 (core): 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
  • Windows 8.1 (core single language): Y9NXP-XT8MV-PT9TG-97CT3-9D6TC
  • Windows 8.1 Pro: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
  • Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center: GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT
  • Windows 8.1 Enterprise: MNDGV-M6PKV-DV4DR-CYY8X-2YRXH OR FHQNR-XYXYC-8PMHT-TV4PH-DRQ3H

KMS setup keys (8/8.1): Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys
Click to expand...



Product_Key.jpg

5. Check the I accept the license terms box, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

step4.jpg


6. Click/tap on the Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) option. (see screenshot below)


Step5.jpg



7. Select the hard drive or partition that you want to install Windows 8 on, and click/tap on the Drive Options (advanced) link. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the hard drive or partition that you have selected is shown as unallocated, then you can just click on the Next button instead and go to step 8 since it is already empty.



Step6.jpg


8. Select a hard drive or partiton that you want to do a clean install of Windows 8 on, do one of the options for how you want to install Windows 8 to that drive or partition in the yellow TIP box below, then click/tap on the Next button when finished. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If your hard drive is not displayed and it's either a SATA drive or in a RAID setup, then you need to connect a USB key or DVD disc with the RAID or SATA drivers on it, click on Load Driver, select the folder on the USB key or DVD that contains the RAID or SATA drivers to install them. Afterwards, your RAID drives will be available to select from to install Windows 8 on.

Tip   Tip
Drive options (advanced)


If you only have one partition for a disk # (hard drive) listed that you wanted to install Windows 8 on, then select the disk # and click on the Delete option if not grayed out to make it unallocated space.

If you have more than one partition for a disk # (hard drive) listed and want to install Windows 8 on only one of the partitions and keep the other partitions with that disk #, then only select the partition that you want to install Windows 8 on the Format option.

If you have more than one partition for a disk # (hard drive) listed and want to get rid of all of them to make that disk # one single partition drive again, then select a partition with that disk # and click on the Delete option for each partition with the same disk # until there is only one "unallocated space" with that disk # left as in the screenshot below.

To shrink an existing partition to create another partition to install Windows 8 on instead, select the partition that you want to shrink and click on the Extend option. Type in how much in MB (1 GB = 1024 MB) that you want to shrink it by. Now select the new extended partition.



Note   Note
The 350 MB System Reserved partition is used for the Boot Manager code, BCD (Boot Configuration Database), System Recovery Options (Windows RE), and start up files for BitLocker (if turned on).

If you want to have (recommended) the 350 MB System Reserved partition in addition to the Windows 8 C: partition on a HDD or SSD after installation, then you would need to make sure that all partitions on the drive have been deleted until it is only unallocated space. Next, select the unallocated drive to install Windows 8 on. If there are no partitions on the disk, you will get the 350 MB System Reserved.

If you do not want to have the 350 MB System Reserved partition and only the Windows 8 C: partition on a HDD or SSD after installation, then select a formatted partition or drive to install Windows 8 on. If there are any partitions on the disk, you won't get the 350 MB System Reserved.





Step7.jpg


9. The installation of Windows 8 will now begin. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: During the installation process, your screen may flash and computer will restart a few times.


Step8.jpg

10. When you get to this point, type in a computer/PC name (ex: Brink-PC) that you want for this PC, then click/tap on the Next button. (see screenshot below)


Step9.jpg


11. Select either the Use express settings or Customize button depending on how you want to set these settings. (see screenshot below)

A) If you select Use express settings, then go to step 16 below.

B) If you select Customize, then continue on to step 12 below.


Step9B.jpg



12. Select the share settings you would like. (see screenshot below)


Custom-1.jpg

Windows_8.1_Share.jpg

13. Select the Windows Update and IE security settings that you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)


custom-2.jpg

Windows_8.1_Updates.jpg

14. Select the settings that you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)


Custom-4.jpg

Windows_8.1_solutions.jpg


15. Select the settings that you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)


Custom-3.jpg

Windows_8.1_Info.jpg


16. Do either step 17 or step 18 below depending on if your would like to sign in to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 with either a local account or Microsoft account. (see screenshots below)

Note   Note
If you are not connected to the internet during installation, you will default to step 18C to set up a local account.

You will still be able to add or switch to a Microsoft account later after Windows is installed if you like when you are connected to the internet.



Step10.jpg

Windows_8_1_Microsoft_account.jpg



17. If you want to Sign in to Windows 8 or 8.1 with a Microsoft Account

Note   Note
Microsoft account:

  • You use your email address and password to sign in to Windows 8.
  • When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC is connected to the cloud.
  • Your friends’ contact info and statuses are automatically up to date from your Hotmail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other accounts.
  • You can get to and share your photos, documents, and other files from SkyDrive, Facebook, Flickr, and other accounts without signing in to each one.
  • Your personal settings are synced to any PC running Windows 8 that you sign in to, including your themes, language preferences, browser favorites, and apps.
  • You can get apps in the Windows Store and use them on any PC running Windows 8 that you sign in to.
  • Easily reacquire your Metro style apps on multiple Windows 8 PCs. The app’s settings and last-used state persist across all your Windows 8 PCs.
  • You can associate the most commonly used Windows settings to your user account. In this way, the saved settings are available when you sign in to your account on any Windows 8 PC. So your PC will be set up just the way you are used to.
  • You can also save time with sign-in credentials, because now the same credentials are available for the different apps and websites you use and you can easily get back into them without having to enter credentials every time.
  • You can automatically sign in to apps and services that use Windows Live ID for authentication.




A) Type in your email address, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below step 16)
NOTE: If you do not have a Windows Live ID email address and would like to use one, then click/tap on Sign up for a new email address link to get one.

B) Enter the password for the email address, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below and below step 16)
NOTE: If you do not have a Windows Live ID email address and would like to use one, then click /tap on Sign up for a Microsoft account link to get one.


Live-1.jpgother-1.jpg


C) For Windows 8, enter security verification info if you like, click/tap on Next, and go to step 17G below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you are setting up an email address, then you may have a few additional screens to fill out as well.


Live-2.jpg




D) In Windows 8.1, you can use two-step verification to add this PC as a "trusted device", and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)



code-1.jpg

Enter the received security code, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

code-2.jpg

E) In Windows 8.1, select how to set up your PC, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)



  • [*=1]If you select a listed PC name that you sign in to with the same Microsoft account, then your settings and apps from that PC will be synced (copied) to this PC. Afterwards, go to step 17G below.


  • [*=1]If you selectset this up as a new PC instead, then this PC will be set up as new PC without your settings and apps synced from another PC as above. Afterwards, continue on to step 17F below.
Windows_8.1_clean_install_setup-1.jpg

Windows_8.1_clean_install_setup-2.jpg


F) Select to either "Don't use SkyDrive" or "Use SkyDrive". (see screenshot below)

SkyDrive.jpg



G) Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 will now prepare your PC for your Microsoft account.

H) Go to step 19 below.



18. If you want to Sign in to Windows 8 or 8.1 with a Local Account

Note   Note
Local account:

  • You use a user name (and password if you want one) to sign in to Windows 8 just like it was in Vista and Windows 7.
  • A local user account gives you access to only the PC it's on. You will need a separate user account created on each PC you use.
  • None of your settings will be synced between the PCs you use, and you won't get the benefits of connecting your PC to the cloud.



A) For Windows 8.1, click/tap on the Create a new account link. (see bottom screenshot below and below step 16)


Local_Account_A.png


Click/tap on the Sign in without a Microsoft account link, and go to step 18C below. (see screenshot below)

Local_Account_B.png

B) For Windows 8, click/tap on the Sign in without a Microsoft account link. (see top screenshot below step 16)



Click/tap on the Local account button, and go to step 18C below. (see screenshot below)


Step11.jpg



C) Type in user name, password, and password hint for your user account (administrator type), and click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Your user name must be different than the computer name you entered at step 10 above.




Step12.jpg


D) Windows 8 or 8.1 will now prepare your PC for your local administrator user account.


E) Continue on to step 19.



19. When installation is finished, welcome to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. (see screenshot below)



Windows8.jpg




20. It is highly recommened that you create a password reset disk for your user account just in case you forget it later. You will be able to use it to reset your user account password.

21. Install any needed drivers for your devices, and update your WEI score.

22. If you have an Enterprise edition or needed to use a generic key to install with from step 4 above, then you will now need to change the product key to enter your key and activate it.

Tip   Tip
If you need to first find your OEM product key that is embedded in the UEFI firmware chip, then OPTION FIVE in the tutorial below can help show you what it is to enter in step 22.

How to Find Your Windows 8 and 8.1 Product Key Number





That's it,
Shawn



Related Tutorials


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
Click to expand...
Well first off I should probably ask this: Would you recommend doing a clean install in the first place? I can uninstall a lot of the apps etc, but things like Samsung Kies and various other programs do not uninstall correctly and leave archive files all over the place. I run a lot of CPU heavy computation programs and want a clean system, but am I going to see any noticeable performance benefits from doing a clean install rather than just uninstalling programs? I know that is a very speculative question, but I am just asking you to give me your recommendation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
joey1558 said:
1. Is it possible to/How can I clone, or make an exact copy of my current system and place it on an external hard drive without messing the data up. Aside from my C: drive, I have 5! other partitions and I'm not sure what contains what. There's a healthy: a EFI system partition , and 4!! recovery partitions; some only half a GB some 20GBs
Click to expand...

You could use something like the free program Macrium Reflect Free to create a system image backup with.​

joey1558 said:
2. I also wanted to confirm that even though I already recovered my encrypted product key, do I still need to enter a generic key upon installation, and activated later with my OEM key?
Click to expand...

Your product key embedded in tge UEFI firmware will automatically be detected and entered by the Windows installation if you install either Windows 8 or 8.1, and not the Pro edition since that's not what your key is for.​

joey1558 said:
Well first off I should probably ask this: Would you recommend doing a clean install in the first place? I can uninstall a lot of the apps etc, but things like Samsung Kies and various other programs do not uninstall correctly and leave archive files all over the place. I run a lot of CPU heavy computation programs and want a clean system, but am I going to see any noticeable performance benefits from doing a clean install rather than just uninstalling programs? I know that is a very speculative question, but I am just asking you to give me your recommendation.
Click to expand...

It's up to you, but if you're not happy with a factory default installation, then yeah a clean install would let you start fresh. Just be sure that you have all drivers downloaded from Asus for your PC's model number to have handy to install after Windows is finished installing.​
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Just wondering... as you do :)

Have all the W10 related updates that were forced onto W8.1 users in the run up to W10 launching now been removed from the MS update servers ? In other words would a clean and updated 8.1 install now be as if W10 had never existed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 x64 pro and W8.1 x86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3750/Acer 9301
    CPU
    Intel i5/AMD Turion 64
    Memory
    4Gb/2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i5 internal/NVidia GEFORCE GO 6100
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    250Gb SSD and 120Gb
    Mouse
    HP Z4000
    Internet Speed
    76 down, 20 up
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
Hello Mooly, :)

Yes, it should now be so.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Interesting, thanks...

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 x64 pro and W8.1 x86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3750/Acer 9301
    CPU
    Intel i5/AMD Turion 64
    Memory
    4Gb/2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i5 internal/NVidia GEFORCE GO 6100
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    250Gb SSD and 120Gb
    Mouse
    HP Z4000
    Internet Speed
    76 down, 20 up
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
:thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
How is it possible that there is not one mention of how to get Updates Installed in this Tutorial? This would be the biggest challenge to "Clean Install Windows 8" Please, I'm just trying to find out if there is a faster way to do this. My current way involves about 6hrs of Service Stacks and Convenience Rollups. I devised this myself, and still cannot find one decent piece of info on MS nor the Technet Site!

Thanks, Stealth
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP g7-2235dx
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 184B
    Memory
    8GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    SANDISK 120GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    72Mbps
    Antivirus
    Avast Free
    Other Info
    Salvage Teardown now all up and working like new.
Hello Stealth,

About all you can do is get the latest version ISO file to use to create installation media with for the clean install. After the clean install, you would check for updates in Windows Update until fully updated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks for the quick reply Brink, sorry to be so frustrated but MS is driving me crazy. I did get it figured out and will post back as to my Install Time. Last one was about 6hrs, and the OEM's are taking about 7:40hrs and average to good equiptment, does this sound correct to you?
I have a pretty current Image.

I just Updated my Service Stack and Rollup also just in case they have been Updated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP g7-2235dx
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 184B
    Memory
    8GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    SANDISK 120GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    72Mbps
    Antivirus
    Avast Free
    Other Info
    Salvage Teardown now all up and working like new.
It could take that long if you have a lot of updates available to install. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I have reverted my 11 yr old Acer back to W8.1 (done around 1 month ago) because it was struggling with W10 through lack of driver support.

Anyhow, I used my retail W8.1 disc and used the following method for updates.

1/ Turn off updating before connecting to the internet for the first time.
2/ Run a manual update check... zillions to install of course.

What I do now is quickly scroll through them all and select them in three monthly blocks, all those for example within Jan to March 2015 for example. Install those, reboot, select next three months worth and so on. Doing that I actually ended up with zero failed updates... yea.

And yes, 6 hours actually sounds pretty quick tbh. I think I staggered mine over a couple of days. Pure updating, nothing else touched or used, not even opening IE. When it was done, make an image.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 x64 pro and W8.1 x86
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3750/Acer 9301
    CPU
    Intel i5/AMD Turion 64
    Memory
    4Gb/2Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel i5 internal/NVidia GEFORCE GO 6100
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Hard Drives
    250Gb SSD and 120Gb
    Mouse
    HP Z4000
    Internet Speed
    76 down, 20 up
    Browser
    MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
I agree Mooly, 6hrs is pretty good.

I think I could have done this one faster, but had a few issues along the way. The 6hr one was with AMD A8-4550M and an SSD on a laptop. This install seems to be going well, will report back, fingers crossed, no help from ms that's for sure. I need to Image Windows 8 and just Deploy it that way in the future. For me, Windows 8 is better than 10, but I'm trying to serve clients also, and they want the newest stuff once their pc's get old.

Looks like I'm all done, so the new Updates I downloaded may be new as seen at the ms site. Looks like it only took about 4hrs. I checked for Updates Twice now manually and nothing coming in anymore. 1,161.5 was the Initial Update total and they failed for some reason. I tried again and they all installed. Then another small round and all was good to go! I'm getting better at this every time. Most I see struggle to do it in a whole day or more. I suspect there will be a little more to come, and I am very surprised to say it was not such a pain this time. Last OEM I did took me like 8hrs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP g7-2235dx
    CPU
    AMD A8-4500M
    Motherboard
    Hewlett-Packard 184B
    Memory
    8GB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    512MB ATI AMD Radeon HD 7640G
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    SANDISK 120GB SSD
    Internet Speed
    72Mbps
    Antivirus
    Avast Free
    Other Info
    Salvage Teardown now all up and working like new.
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