Solved Reset Win 8.1 Update 1 > Win 8 Upgrade Product Key & ISO

[TBolt]

Hi, folks.

I appreciate the tutorials here (as always), but my head is swimming in all the variations. So, I hope you don't mind me getting straight to the point.

Facts:

• I am running Win 8.1 Update 1 & want to wipe my C drive and re-install Windows.
• I originally purchased Win 8 Pro during the introductory UPGRADE (from Win 7) offer; so, I have a Win 8 ISO & product key.

Question:
May I use the reset option in Win 8.1 Update 1 to...

1. wipe my C drive
2. install / activate Win 8 using my ISO on an external USB drive
3. update to Win 8.1 & Update 1 from the App Store

It's a shame MS is making this so complicated now-a-days. hehe.

TYIA!

 

[MaXimus]

just get a Windows 8.1 with Update 1 ISO dude, why go through all this updgrading from 8 to 8.1 then to 8.1.1

its very time consuming and leaves a lot of leftover garbage

nothing beats a clean install

I have the ISO for Windows 8.1 with Update one and Windows 8.1 Core/Pro directly from MSDN Hashes verified

but I can't post them here or I will get b4nn3d

 

[genet]

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

-or-

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you don't have an OEM computer that came with Windows 8/8.1 preinstalled.

Note: This Windows 8.1 installation media accepts Windows 8/8.1 product keys, both OEM and retail (for example, "Windows 8 Pro $15/$40 Upgrade Offer" product key).

1. Create installation media for Windows 8.1

- The Windows Installation Media Creation Tool works on Windows 7/8/8.1/10.
- The download succeeds without product key.
- Both the 64-bit installation media (USB flash drive and DVD) can be booted in both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot mode. Both the 64-bit installation media are also compatible with Secure Boot.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows8
-or-
Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help







Select either USB flash drive or ISO file (see screenshot below).

Note: You need at least 8 GB USB flash drive (if you select option "USB flash drive").





If you previously selected the ISO file option and once the ISO file is created, select the Open DVD burner option (see screenshot below).



2. Clean install Windows 8.1 from USB/DVD.

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style): link

Note: You do not need to change the boot order of drives in your UEFI/BIOS settings.
- Connect your Windows 8.1 USB flash drive or insert your Windows 8.1 DVD.
- Restart the computer.
- Press the correct key to enter the boot menu (see this link for help).
- Select your USB/DVD from the boot menu.

Enter your Windows 8/8.1 product key (see screenshot below).

Note: If the Windows 8.1 installer does not accept your Windows 8/8.1 product key, it means that you have the wrong installation media.



On the Where do you want to install Windows? screen, you can delete all the partitions until you only see "Drive 0 Unallocated Space" (see screenshot below).



After the installation is completed, Windows 8.1 will be activated automatically, if the internet connection is up and running.

Note: If Windows is not activated and the activation page shows the message (see screenshot below): This product key is being used on another PC. Please try a different key.

Then see this link for instructions: How to transfer Windows 8/8.1 license to new computer.

 

[TBolt]

Thank you, Maximus & genet! Since Max can't post details, I will go with genet's workflow.

I appreciate your insight & genet's detailed instructions!

 

[TBolt]

Ah, in step 1 ... any recommendations for a safe download for the Win 8.1 Update 1 ISO without an MSDN account? Am I supposed to torrent it?

 

[alphanumeric]

Ah, in step 1 ... any recommendations for a safe download for the Win 8.1 Update 1 ISO without an MSDN account? Am I supposed to torrent it?

That's the part that can't be posted. We can't post links to unofficial downloads. We can post the ISO file name hash codes etc, just not a link to the download. A torrent would be one way to get it. Comparing the has code will tell you if your download ahs been altered or tampered with.

 

[theog]

•I originally purchased Win 8 Pro during the introductory UPGRADE (from Win 7) offer; so, I have a Win 8 ISO & product key.

Take a look at those posts for more info.

RETAIL KEY ONLY.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html

How to download Windows 8.1 ISO with a Windows 8 key.
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html

http://www.eightforums.com/installa...retail-windows-8-1-windows-8-product-key.html

You can not use the key extracted from the UEFI/BIOS firmware or a OEM key to download the Windows 8.1 ISO, you can only use the key to ACTIVATE.

The generic keys can only be used to install Windows 8.1 & not ACTIVATE or to download the Windows 8.1 ISO .

 

[banger]

Dont forget to compare the hash code to make sure you get a genuine copy.

 

[TBolt]

Thanks so much guys. I will go through this info and proceed accordingly. I appreciate your help!

I pulled a lower back muscle severely at a family member's house -- not sure when I will get back to my place where my PC is. But, I'll be ready once I get there. Thanks again!

 

[TBolt]

THANK YOU again, folks! Reloaded today. Much smoother thus far. Cheers!

 

[JohnBurns]

just get a Windows 8.1 with Update 1 ISO dude, why go through all this updgrading from 8 to 8.1 then to 8.1.1

its very time consuming and leaves a lot of leftover garbage

nothing beats a clean install

I have the ISO for Windows 8.1 with Update one and Windows 8.1 Core/Pro directly from MSDN Hashes verified

but I can't post them here or I will get b4nn3d

If you will , please help me decide if I need to do this. I originally had Windows 7 x64 installed on my pc, subsequently upgraded to Windows 8 x64- from MS for a small fee - and I have an original Microsoft Disk for that which I also purchased from MS. Then I upgraded thru the Windows Store to Windows 8.1 x64 and subsequently installed Windows 8.1 Update 1 thru Windows Update. That is where I now stand. As far as I can tell, everything is working fine - SFC /scannow does not find any integrity violations. However, DISM analyze indicates "The Component Store is repairable". but DISM fix indicates it can not find the source file. So something appears to be "messed up" but evidently not seriously. Event Viewer isn't showing any consistent errors, other than Distributed Com when I boot up - possible due to my router and wireless setup.

First, should I mess with trying to install ISO, if and when Windows 8.1 Update 1 is available and I can find it?

Secondly, would it be worth my time?

I am not very knowledgeable in this area and would appreciate any input from someone who is. I just want to insure my pc continues to run smoothly. Thanks.

 

[TBolt]

just get a Windows 8.1 with Update 1 ISO dude, why go through all this updgrading from 8 to 8.1 then to 8.1.1

its very time consuming and leaves a lot of leftover garbage

nothing beats a clean install

I have the ISO for Windows 8.1 with Update one and Windows 8.1 Core/Pro directly from MSDN Hashes verified

but I can't post them here or I will get b4nn3d

If you will , please help me decide if I need to do this. I originally had Windows 7 x64 installed on my pc, subsequently upgraded to Windows 8 x64- from MS for a small fee - and I have an original Microsoft Disk for that which I also purchased from MS. Then I upgraded thru the Windows Store to Windows 8.1 x64 and subsequently installed Windows 8.1 Update 1 thru Windows Update. That is where I now stand. As far as I can tell, everything is working fine - SFC /scannow does not find any integrity violations. However, DISM analyze indicates "The Component Store is repairable". but DISM fix indicates it can not find the source file. So something appears to be "messed up" but evidently not seriously. Event Viewer isn't showing any consistent errors, other than Distributed Com when I boot up - possible due to my router and wireless setup.

First, should I mess with trying to install ISO, if and when Windows 8.1 Update 1 is available and I can find it?

Secondly, would it be worth my time?

I am not very knowledgeable in this area and would appreciate any input from someone who is. I just want to insure my pc continues to run smoothly. Thanks.

They may not be responding because this thread is marked 'solved.' All I can say is that it was worthwhile TO ME to wipe C: and reload Windows using the ISO mentioned by others. I had to get it from The Pirate Bay.

In case anyone here does respond ... are we allowed to share links to torrents in private messages? Or, is that ban hammer activity as well?