How to download the Windows 8.1 ISO

well..can someone please explain....why..windows 8.1 iso downloaded from this trick is 3.07GB...and upgrade from windows store is 3.42GB...???????

thank you in advance..!!
Windows 8.1 (from TechNet or MSDN) has to update to very large patches, as from couple of days go. Windows 8 upgrade already has them

In addition to davehc's comments, I just downloaded and used the latest GA Win 8.1 ISO to do a clean install recently and I only had to apply 9 Windows Updates which required only a 179mb download. Seems like they've incorporated some of those fixes into the latest available ISO.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
well..can someone please explain....why..windows 8.1 iso downloaded from this trick is 3.07GB...and upgrade from windows store is 3.42GB...???????

thank you in advance..!!
Windows 8.1 (from TechNet or MSDN) has to update to very large patches, as from couple of days go. Windows 8 upgrade already has them

In addition to davehc's comments, I just downloaded and used the latest GA Win 8.1 ISO to do a clean install recently and I only had to apply 9 Windows Updates which required only a 179mb download. Seems like they've incorporated some of those fixes into the latest available ISO.

If you look at Installed Updates you will see 4 addition dated 9/29. These are the GA rollup.

Jim :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64BIT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS - Home Built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A99X EVO
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    Crucial Balistic DDR-3 1866 CL 9 (8 GB)
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    Epson V300 Scanner
This only works if you bought W8 at a retail location, not if you have an OEM machine or (like me) bought he update. Shouldn't we be entitled to a reinstall ISO file as well? PS: I tried the generic keys from MSDN or Technet & they did not work. :-(

Sorry gzhtub, This works nicely with the update version too. Personaly tested. :)
Ciao
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self made
    CPU
    E6550
    Motherboard
    ASUS P5K SE
    Memory
    4 GB DDR2
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 8400 GS
Windows 8.1 ISO

Many thanks to Mosharino.

I bought the Win 8 upgrade from Windows 7 last year and have now downloaded and burnt to dvd the Win 8.1 ISO, following Mosharino's instructions. I have done the same for my Wife's pc which had been upgraded to Windows 8 from Win XP.

Both downloads went perfectly.

I have not yet updated either pc to Windows 8.1, lack of time at the moment. However, I intend to get a new hdd for the C: drive, and would like to ask - can I do a clean install from the 8.1 ISO, or do I need to install Windows 8 first?

Apart from using the generic key, are there any other "tricks" that I should be aware of?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Keith
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Many thanks to Mosharino.

I bought the Win 8 upgrade from Windows 7 last year and have now downloaded and burnt to dvd the Win 8.1 ISO, following Mosharino's instructions. I have done the same for my Wife's pc which had been upgraded to Windows 8 from Win XP.

Both downloads went perfectly.

I have not yet updated either pc to Windows 8.1, lack of time at the moment. However, I intend to get a new hdd for the C: drive, and would like to ask - can I do a clean install from the 8.1 ISO, or do I need to install Windows 8 first?

Apart from using the generic key, are there any other "tricks" that I should be aware of?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Keith

Hi Keith!

Glad that things went well. You're welcome too! :)

Regarding the clean install....

I did one out of curiosity and it went flawlessly. I had my Windows 8.1 USB ready, a generic key and my Windows 8 key to hand. Then i rebooted into the Windows 8.1 setup, used the generic key to install with and once installed, activated with my Windows 8 key. No issues, no hacks, nothing!

Plenty of support on here should you encounter an unknown.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Mosharino, I don't understand if you did the clean install on a blank , formated hdd or on a drive that already had win 8 on it ? Please comment. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 64
Mosharino, I don't understand if you did the clean install on a blank , formated hdd or on a drive that already had win 8 on it ? Please comment. Thanks.

I wiped my drive completely (having previously backed up everything of course!). The drive had nothing, nadda, zilch on it.

That is a clean install after all. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Thanks, I'll keep trying. Best Wishes.


Well it worked this time with a different hdd.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8 64
Mosharino, I don't understand if you did the clean install on a blank , formated hdd or on a drive that already had win 8 on it ? Please comment. Thanks.

I wiped my drive completely (having previously backed up everything of course!). The drive had nothing, nadda, zilch on it.

That is a clean install after all. ;)

I did the same thing on my computer and had no problems at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS M1730
Many thanks to Mosharino.

I bought the Win 8 upgrade from Windows 7 last year and have now downloaded and burnt to dvd the Win 8.1 ISO, following Mosharino's instructions. I have done the same for my Wife's pc which had been upgraded to Windows 8 from Win XP.

Both downloads went perfectly.

I have not yet updated either pc to Windows 8.1, lack of time at the moment. However, I intend to get a new hdd for the C: drive, and would like to ask - can I do a clean install from the 8.1 ISO, or do I need to install Windows 8 first?

Apart from using the generic key, are there any other "tricks" that I should be aware of?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Keith
If you have the Windows Media Center key, don't install it. If you do Windows won't activate. Ask me how I know. When you get to setting up an account disconnect from the internet. If you don't, It will make you set up a Microsoft Account and you will have to use that every time you start windows.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS 9100
    CPU
    intel i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    24 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5670
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Flat Screen HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 850 250 GB SSD
    2 Seagate internal 1TB
    WD external 3TB USB 3
    WD external 2TB USB 3
    PSU
    550-W
    Case
    Mid
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    US USB
    Mouse
    USB
    Internet Speed
    3.84 Mbps Download .44 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Liteon DVD wrighter
    Liteon BD drive
    Monoprice Tablet
Many thanks to Mosharino.

I bought the Win 8 upgrade from Windows 7 last year and have now downloaded and burnt to dvd the Win 8.1 ISO, following Mosharino's instructions. I have done the same for my Wife's pc which had been upgraded to Windows 8 from Win XP.

Both downloads went perfectly.

I have not yet updated either pc to Windows 8.1, lack of time at the moment. However, I intend to get a new hdd for the C: drive, and would like to ask - can I do a clean install from the 8.1 ISO, or do I need to install Windows 8 first?

Apart from using the generic key, are there any other "tricks" that I should be aware of?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Keith
If you have the Windows Media Center key, don't install it. If you do Windows won't activate. Ask me how I know. When you get to setting up an account disconnect from the internet. If you don't, It will make you set up a Microsoft Account and you will have to use that every time you start windows.

I've used my Windows 8 Media Center keys to add Media Center to two of my 8.1 RTM installs and had no trouble activating. I entered them though the Add Features option.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Many thanks to Mosharino.

I bought the Win 8 upgrade from Windows 7 last year and have now downloaded and burnt to dvd the Win 8.1 ISO, following Mosharino's instructions. I have done the same for my Wife's pc which had been upgraded to Windows 8 from Win XP.

Both downloads went perfectly.

I have not yet updated either pc to Windows 8.1, lack of time at the moment. However, I intend to get a new hdd for the C: drive, and would like to ask - can I do a clean install from the 8.1 ISO, or do I need to install Windows 8 first?

Apart from using the generic key, are there any other "tricks" that I should be aware of?

Many thanks in anticipation!

Keith
If you have the Windows Media Center key, don't install it. If you do Windows won't activate. Ask me how I know. When you get to setting up an account disconnect from the internet. If you don't, It will make you set up a Microsoft Account and you will have to use that every time you start windows.

I've used my Windows 8 Media Center keys to add Media Center to two of my 8.1 RTM installs and had no trouble activating. I entered them though the Add Features option.
Same here.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS M1730
@alphanumeric
I've used my Windows 8 Media Center keys to add Media Center to two of my 8.1 RTM installs and had no trouble activating. I entered them though the Add Features option.
I also entered them thru the Add Features option. Did you activate before or after Media Center? Mine was activated, then when I added Media Center after reboot, it was not activated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS 9100
    CPU
    intel i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    24 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5670
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Flat Screen HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 850 250 GB SSD
    2 Seagate internal 1TB
    WD external 3TB USB 3
    WD external 2TB USB 3
    PSU
    550-W
    Case
    Mid
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    US USB
    Mouse
    USB
    Internet Speed
    3.84 Mbps Download .44 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Liteon DVD wrighter
    Liteon BD drive
    Monoprice Tablet
@alphanumeric
I've used my Windows 8 Media Center keys to add Media Center to two of my 8.1 RTM installs and had no trouble activating. I entered them though the Add Features option.
I also entered them thru the Add Features option. Did you activate before or after Media Center? Mine was activated, then when I added Media Center after reboot, it was not activated.

As far as I know you have to be activated before you can enter them. Yes I was activated before and I activated again after adding Media Center.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
You didn't happen to use your Media Center key on more than one PC did you?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
You didn't happen to use your Media Center key on more than one PC did you?
No. I used it when I got it originally, then with the 8.1 update on the same PC.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Studio XPS 9100
    CPU
    intel i7 920 @ 2.67 GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    24 Gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5670
    Sound Card
    Internal
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Flat Screen HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 850 250 GB SSD
    2 Seagate internal 1TB
    WD external 3TB USB 3
    WD external 2TB USB 3
    PSU
    550-W
    Case
    Mid
    Cooling
    Fans
    Keyboard
    US USB
    Mouse
    USB
    Internet Speed
    3.84 Mbps Download .44 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    MS Defender
    Other Info
    Liteon DVD wrighter
    Liteon BD drive
    Monoprice Tablet
You didn't happen to use your Media Center key on more than one PC did you?
No. I used it when I got it originally, then with the 8.1 update on the same PC.

OK, just wanted to make sure. There were some that thought you could use those keys on multiple PC's. You can't and if you do that can cause your key to be blacklisted or not activate. I have no idea why your key won't activate. I had one key not activate but that was because I used it on two different PC's. I in effect transferred it from one laptop to another. It wouldn't activate online so I did a phone activation. As far as I know its still activated on that laptop. The laptop it was originally used on now has Windows 7 on it so that key is only being used on the one pc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I've download the 8.1 RTM. I've tested the install up to the point of it asking for a key, which I used the generic CORE one (334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT). It accepted the key and then went to the next screen and asked which drive to install on. I aborted the process at this point.

Do you think that once it is installed I can just activate with my 8.0 OEM key?

Not ready to do a reinstall and see it fail and have to rebuild from scratch with my 8.0 disk.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Just a quick question...

I have a Windows 8 Pro system builder key (from the DVD I bought) and didn't work on the first step of this process.

So I managed to download the 8.1 ISO by using a Windows 8 Pro upgrade key which I bought for my partners laptop which I upgraded from Windows 7.

Now that I have the ISO I have burned it on to disk, will my Windows 8 Pro system builder key work?

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7
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