Create Bootable USB or DVD with Windows 8 ISO

How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO


This tutorial will show you how to create either a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 bootable USB flash drive or DVD to use to install the Windows 8 or 8.1 with.

Windows 8 and 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.
This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows





OPTION ONE

Create Bootable DVD using "Burn Disc Image" Context Menu Item



1. For how, see:

How to Burn a "ISO" or "IMG" Disc Image file to a CD/DVD in Windows 7 and Windows 8


Right_Click.jpg

Burn-1.jpg






OPTION TWO

Create Bootable DVD/USB with "Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool



1. If you have not already, you will need to download a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO file, and save it to your desktop.

2. If you have not already, download and install the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.

(At sites)
link_at_site.png

USB-DVD_Download_Tool_Site-2.jpg


3. Run the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, and click/tap on the Browse button. (see screenshot below)

Step2.jpg


4. Select the downloaded ISO file (step 1), and click/tap on Open. (see screenshot below)

Step3.jpg


5. Click/tap on Next, and do either step 6 or step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Step4.jpg


6. Create Bootable Windows 8 or 8.1 Installation USB Flash Drive


A) Connect a USB thumb drive, and click/tap on the USB device button. (see screenshot below)

Step5.jpg


B) Select the drive letter of the USB thumb, and click/tap on the Begin copying button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If the drive letter is not listed in the drop down menu, then click on the refresh button and try again.

Step6.jpg


C) If prompted, click/tap on Erase USB Device. (see screenshot below)

Step4B.jpg


D) If prompted, click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)

Step4C.jpg


E) When finished, close the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshots below)

Step7A.jpg

Step7B.jpg



7. To Create Bootable Windows 8 or 8.1 Installation DVD
NOTE: If you are in Windows 7, then you could ause the built in Burn disc image feature to burn the ISO to a DVD instead if you like.

A) Insert a blank unformatted DVD into your DVD drive. Once it's recognized, click/tap on the DVD button. (see screenshot below)

Step5.jpg


B) Click/tap on the Begin burning button. (see screenshot below)

DVD-1.jpg


C) When finished, close the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshots below)

DVD2A.jpg

DVD2B.jpg



8. You are finished, and can now install Windows 8/8.1 with your bootable USB or DVD.






OPTION THREE

To Create a Bootable Windows 8 or 8.1 Installation USB with "Rufus"



1. Download the latest version of Rufus at the link below, and save it's .exe file to your desktop.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way


Note   Note
This is a standalone exe file that doesn't install anything to your PC.
For Rufus FAQs, see: FAQ · pbatard/rufus Wiki · GitHub





2. Connect your USB flash drive if you have not already.

3. Run the rufus_v###.exe file, and click/tap on Yes if prompted by UAC.
NOTE: ### = latest version number.

4. Set Rufus with the settings below: (see screenshot below step 5)

  • Under Device, select the USB flash drive you want to format and use.
  • Under Format Options, check Create a bootable disk using, click/tap on the browse icon icon.jpg to navigate to and select your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 ISO file.
  • Under Partition scheme and target system type, select MBR partition scheme for BIOS or UEFI computers.
  • Under File system, select NTFS.
  • Under Cluster size, select the (Default) (ex: 16 kilobytes or 4096 bytes) it has listed.
  • Under Format Options, check Quick format.
  • Under Format Options, check Create extended label and icon files.
  • Under New volume label, you can enter any name you like for the USB flash drive, or leave the default name.

5. When ready, click/tap on Start. (see screenshot below)

Rufus-1.png


6. Click/tap on OK to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Rufus-2.png


7. Rufus will now start creating the bootable USB flash drive. (see screenshot below)

Rufus-3.png


8. When Rufus is "DONE", you can close Rufus. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: It could take a little while to finish.

Rufus-4.png


9. You are finished, and can now install Windows 8/8.1 with your bootable USB.



That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
You're most welcome. :)
 

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
Hi there :) I've ordered a PC without an OS, so if I follow the steps and put Windows 8.1 on a DVD will my new PC pick it up and install it as the OS? Thanks for the help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    None
Hello Froyo, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you have a Windows 8 ISO file and a product key to activate with, then you could. :)
 

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
You're welcome. :)
 

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
The link in step 2 is not working. I found this one, though:
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q894
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM(1.73GHz)
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" (main) + 2 external monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1680x945 (main)
    Other Info
    Overall, very happy with this laptop -- great for work & was very good for gaming when I originally bought it (haven't tried any games last year or so).
Thank you TBolt. :)

I removed your direct download link in your post, but this one below will take you to the download page instead now. I've updated the tutorial for it.

Microsoft Store
 

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
Thank you TBolt. :)

I removed your direct download link in your post, but this one below will take you to the download page instead now. I've updated the tutorial for it.

Microsoft Store

Thanks. That will help the next guy. Appreciate the tuts!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q894
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM(1.73GHz)
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    18.4" (main) + 2 external monitors
    Screen Resolution
    1680x945 (main)
    Other Info
    Overall, very happy with this laptop -- great for work & was very good for gaming when I originally bought it (haven't tried any games last year or so).
Is it possible to use this tutorial and make a bootable Windows 8.1 DVD if I have Linpus™ Linux® OS on my notebook ?
[h=2][/h]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linpus™ Linux®
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire V3-772G
Is it possible to use this tutorial and make a bootable Windows 8.1 DVD if I have Linpus™ Linux® OS on my notebook ?

Hello Fitz, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Sorry, but no. :(

System requirements

  • Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
 

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
Is it possible to use this tutorial and make a bootable Windows 8.1 DVD if I have Linpus™ Linux® OS on my notebook ?

Hello Fitz, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Sorry, but no. :(

System requirements

  • Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)

Yea, I didnt see the system requirements. Tell me, how to do it on linux, should I use IMGburn or some other burner ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linpus™ Linux®
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire V3-772G
Yeah, you'll need to use some other program that supports running on Linux to create a Windows bootable DVD. I don't use Linux, so I'm not sure what programs will work though.
 
Last edited:

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

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.30GHz - S1155
    Motherboard
    Asus P8P67 LE Rev3, Intel P67, S115
    Memory
    8GB Corsair DDR3 XMS3, PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x 24" {Extended Display}
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    300GB Seagate Barracuda 7200
    PSU
    550W Coolermaster GX550
    Case
    Silverstone Precision PS04B
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    World of Warcraft Cataclysm MMO Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    80MB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE / Windows Defender
Thank you for the advice, but I need a software for making bootable DVD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linpus™ Linux®
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire V3-772G
Ah sorry, Brink's reply mentioned USB, sorry i can't help further.
If you do figure out a way please feel free to post the solution over here :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.30GHz - S1155
    Motherboard
    Asus P8P67 LE Rev3, Intel P67, S115
    Memory
    8GB Corsair DDR3 XMS3, PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x 24" {Extended Display}
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    300GB Seagate Barracuda 7200
    PSU
    550W Coolermaster GX550
    Case
    Silverstone Precision PS04B
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    World of Warcraft Cataclysm MMO Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    80MB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE / Windows Defender
Ah sorry, Brink's reply mentioned USB, sorry i can't help further.
If you do figure out a way please feel free to post the solution over here :D

So, I found an answer. I was told to use one of these softwares : xfburn, k3b

I looked them up, and they can burn image, burn an ISO file to DVD. But I´m wondering, is the end result the same as using Brink's tutorial. If you just burn the ISO file to DVD, do you get a proper bootable DVD ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linpus™ Linux®
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire V3-772G
It should do, it essentially burns that image to a disc which will then boot up and allow you to install the os.

You are wanting to use it as an installation media aren't you?
Or are you expecting a live CD?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2500K @ 3.30GHz - S1155
    Motherboard
    Asus P8P67 LE Rev3, Intel P67, S115
    Memory
    8GB Corsair DDR3 XMS3, PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650
    Sound Card
    On-Board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    3 x 24" {Extended Display}
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    300GB Seagate Barracuda 7200
    PSU
    550W Coolermaster GX550
    Case
    Silverstone Precision PS04B
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Logitech K120
    Mouse
    World of Warcraft Cataclysm MMO Gaming Mouse
    Internet Speed
    80MB
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE / Windows Defender
It should do, it essentially burns that image to a disc which will then boot up and allow you to install the os.

You are wanting to use it as an installation media aren't you?
Or are you expecting a live CD?

I want it to use for installing windows os. Hope it works this way when I get my new notebook with linux.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linpus™ Linux®
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire V3-772G
Eight Forums.

G'day,
Reference "Create Bootable USB or DVD with Windows 8 .ISO" used to repair
and restore a damaged Win 8 OS.
Thanks for great tutorials on this subject.
How large is the.ISO file size to download from Microsoft?
Microsoft's site seem to suggest it is around 4GB.
As this is very much larger than my internet plan (I do not use the internet
very much), is there anywhere I can purchase, preferably in Australia, a DVD
or USB with this file and for what cost?
Hope you can help.
Thanks.
Cheers,
stuman.
(Queensland, Australia.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XPSP2 + Windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Samsung +Toshiba
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    eScan
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