Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

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How to Create or Download a Windows 8 and 8.1 ISO



If you purchased Windows 8/8.1 and have a "retail" Windows 8/8.1 product key, then this tutorial will show you how to create or download an upgrade Windows 8 ISO or full Windows 8.1 Update ISO file directly from Microsoft.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

You will need to have your Windows 8 or 8.1 product key number from your retail box package OR online order information in the confirmation email for your purchase.

For example, if you purchased Windows 8 or 8.1 online using the "Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade Assistant".


A Windows 8 product key will not directly activate Windows 8.1 Update. To be able to clean install Windows 8.1 Update and activate it with a Windows 8 product key, see:Clean Install - Windows 8


CONTENTS:
  • Option One: (recommended) Download Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with "Windows Installation Media Creation Tool"
  • Option Two: Download Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with Retail Windows 8 or 8.1 Key
  • Option Three: Download Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with a Retail Key
  • Option Four: To Create a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO File from "C:\ESD\Windows" Folder




OPTION ONE

Download Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with "Windows Installation Media Creation Tool"



This option allows you to download the latest Windows 8.1 ISO file without needing a product key.

If you have a retail Windows 8 or 8.1 PC, then you will still need to have a valid Windows 8 or 8.1 product key to be able to install and activate Windows 8.1.

If you have an OEM Windows 8 or 8.1 PC, then you will also be able to use this ISO to install and activate Windows 8.1 if you are installing the same edition of Windows the key is for. The Windows 8 or 8.1 product key embedded in the UEFI firmware of the OEM PC will be automatically detected and used during installation to activate Windows 8.1.

When you run the mediacreationtool.exe file below it will permanently delete any folder named Download and it's contents that's in the same folder as the mediacreationtool.exe file.

If you have a folder named Download in the same folder (ex: on desktop), then you will need to rename it before running the mediacreationtool.exe file to avoid it and it's contents from being permanently deleted.



1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download and run the mediacreationtool.exe file for the Windows Installation Media Creation Tool.

Source: Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

download

2. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes.

3. Select the Language, Edition, and 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Architecture you want for the ISO file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Installations_Media_Creation_Tool-1.jpg

4. Select (dot) ISO file, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Installations_Media_Creation_Tool-2.jpg

5. Select where you would like to save the ISO file to, type in a name you want for the ISO file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Installations_Media_Creation_Tool-3.jpg

6. The Windows 8.1 ISO file will now begin to download. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Installations_Media_Creation_Tool-4.jpg

7. When the download has finished, you can click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

Windows_Installations_Media_Creation_Tool-5.jpg


You could now create a bootable DVD/USB or UEFI USB with this ISO file when you like to do a clean or upgrade install of Windows 8.1 with.





OPTION TWO

Download Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with Retail Windows 8 or 8.1 Key



This option will not work with an OEM product key number.

This option will only work with a retail product key number.



1. Click/tap on the Microsoft site link below for your location, only click/tap on the Install Windows 8.1 button at the site like below to only download the Windows8-Setup.exe file, and save it to your desktop.

US: Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help

UK: Upgrading Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help

Install_Windows_8.png


2. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the WindowsSetupBox.zip file for Windows 8.1 Update. Open the ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) the WindowsSetupBox.exe file to your desktop.

This is the official older 6.3.9600.16415 version of the WindowsSetupBox.exe file that is no longer available for download at Microsoft.

download

3. Run the Windows8-Setup.exe file (step 1), enter your RETAIL Windows 8 product key, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


This will not work if you use an OEM or system builders product key.

If you enter a generic key, then you will get a We can't connect right now message since they have been blocked.

If you still have the hidden folders below on your computer from the Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade Assistant, then you will see step 7 in OPTION THREE below instead.

You can delete these two hidden folders below to be able to enter your product key and download a new ISO file.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup

AND

C:\ESD\Windows

To get a 32-bit Windows 8.1 Update ISO, you must run the .exe on a 32-bit Windows computer.

To get a 64-bit Windows 8.1 Update ISO, you must run the .exe on a 64-bit Windows computer.



Download-1.jpg

4. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

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5. Once downloading starts and still at 0%, CLOSE Close.jpg the Windows 8 Setup window. (see screenshot below)

Stop.jpg

6. Quickly click/tap on Yes to approve closing "Windows 8 Setup". (see screenshot below)

Quit.jpg

7. Run the WindowsSetupBox.exe file (step 2) for Windows 8.1 Update.

8. Windows 8.1 Setup should now start downloading Windows 8.1 Update. Go to step 6 in OPTION THREE below to continue for the Windows 8.1 Update ISO file. (see screenshot below)


If it fails to start downloading Windows 8.1 or you get an error, then delete the two hidden folders below, and start over at step 3 above.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup

AND

C:\ESD\Windows

8.1_Download.jpg





OPTION THREE

Download Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with a Retail Key



This option is for how to only download a Windows 8 ISO file using a Windows 8 product key, or to download a Windows 8.1 Update ISO file using a Windows 8.1 product key.

This option will not work with an OEM product key number.

This option will only work with a retail product key number.


1. Click/tap on the Microsoft site link below for your location, click/tap on the Install Windows 8 or Install Windows 8.1 button at the site to download and run the Windows8-Setup.exe (Windows 8) or OSGS14-WindowsSetupBox-32bitand64bit-English-4141408.exe (Windows 8.1 Update) file.

US: Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help

UK: Upgrading Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help

To get a 32-bit Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO, you must run the .exe on a 32-bit Windows computer.

To get a 64-bit Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO, you must run the .exe on a 64-bit Windows computer.


2. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).

3. Type in either your RETAIL Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key for the one you want to get an ISO for, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


This will not work if you use an OEM or system builders product key

If you enter a generic key, then you will get a We can't connect right now message since they have been blocked.

If you still have the hidden folders below on your computer from the Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade Assistant, then you will see step 7 instead.

You can delete the two folders below to be able to enter your product key and download a new ISO file.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup

AND

C:\ESD\Windows

You will only be able to enter a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 product key.

A Windows 8 product key will only get you a Windows 8 ISO file.

A Windows 8.1 product key will only get you a Windows 8.1 Update ISO file.

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 with. You could use Add Features to add the Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack again after Windows 8/8.1 is finished installing.

Download-1.jpg

4. You will now see that Windows 8 or 8.1 will be downloaded. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Download-2.jpg

5. Windows 8 or 8.1 will now begin to download. (see screenshot below)

Download-3.jpg

6. When it's finished downloading, it will check and verify the download, then start to getting files ready. (see screenshots below)

The Window 8 or 8.1 installation files will be saved in the hidden C:\ESD\Windows folder.

Download-4.jpg

Download-5.jpg

7. Select (dot) Install by creating media, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Download-6.jpg

8. Select (dot) ISO file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)

Download-7.jpg

9. Navigate to a location where (ex: Desktop) you want to save the .iso file at, type in a name for the .iso file, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)

Download-8.jpg

10. Click/tap on Finish. (see screenshot below)

Download-9.jpg

11. You will now have your upgrade Windows 8 ISO or full Windows 8.1 Update ISO file.

You could now create a bootable DVD/USB or UEFI USB with this ISO file to do a clean (8.1), clean for upgrade (8), or upgrade (8/8.1) install of Windows 8 with.





OPTION FOUR

To Create a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO File from "C:\ESD\Windows" Folder



You will only be able to do this option if you still have the hidden "C:\ESD\Windows" folder from previously using OPTION TWO or OPTION THREE above, or from the Windows 8/8.1 Upgrade Assistant on this PC.


1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the ESD-TO-ISO.zip file created by our member SIW2 (Simon).

If you use the ESD-TO-ISO.exe to create a 64-bit ISO, then it will also have UEFI support.

download

2. Save the ZIP file to your desktop, then extract (drag and drop) the contents to your desktop.

3. Unblock the ESD-TO-ISO.EXE, then right click on the ESD-TO-ISO.EXE file, and click on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).

5. Click/tap on GO. (see screenshot below)

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6. Click/tap on Yes. (see screenshot below)

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7. It will now create the ISO file. (see screenshot below)

If you get an error saying the ISO file cannot be created, then delete the C:\ESD folder, and do OPTION TWO above instead.

ESD-3.jpg

8. Click/tap on Cancel unless you wanted to create (burn) a bootable DVD with ISO file. (see screenshot below)

Burning a DVD with a 64-bit ISO created using this option will also have UEFI support.

ESD-4.jpg

9. The upgrade Windows 8 ISO or full Windows 8.1 Update ISO file will be at the root of your C: drive. For example, C:\WIN8x64.iso. (see screenshot below)

You could now create a bootable DVD/USB or UEFI USB with this ISO file to do a clean (8.1), clean for upgrade (8), or upgrade (8/8.1) install of Windows 8/8.1 with.

ESD-5.jpg


That's it,
Shawn


 

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Last edited by a moderator:
Great job Brink especially option 3 :)
One question,
This hidden esd folder can it be deleted after creating the 8 iso file ?
If so where exactly is it
Or should I wait until I actually create the bootable flash media ?
Cheers.
 
Great job Brink especially option 3 :)
One question,
This hidden esd folder can it be deleted after creating the 8 iso file ?
If so where exactly is it
Or should I wait until I actually create the bootable flash media ?
Cheers.

Sure, you could delete both folders below if you don't need them to save space.

%UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup

AND

C:\ESD

However, Option One let's you download an ISO without having the folders above left over.
 
Do the files on this flash drive look like it should boot and run win 8.1 pro setup? I chose to install to flash drive as shown in tutorial. Do I have to prepare the drive first? It doesn't boot as is.
Ashampoo_Snap_2014.12.30_18h43m03s_001_.jpg
 
Do the files on this flash drive look like it should boot and run win 8.1 pro setup? I chose to install to flash drive as shown in tutorial. Do I have to prepare the drive first? It doesn't boot as is.
View attachment 55911

No worries. You just created a bootable Windows 8.1 installation USB flash drive. It's all ready to boot from to install Windows 8.1. :)
 
8.1 installation dvd

Thanks Brink...you sure give good instructions and I admire you a lot.

I am a Happy Windows owner....
 
i bought my laptop that comes with windows 8 (already updated to win8.1), i go here http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html#option5 to know my key and find out that is oem key. so if i use the option one is it possible to format or install again my windows 8 like it was brandnew again? i only got oem key and i dont know what to choose from the five choices: windows8.1,n,pro,single language. is it possible if i use this http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html to install my windows 8, my computer is still activate even though its oem? just making sure here.
Sorry for my bad english and hope to get a reply before trying this. thnx in advance. and happy new yr.
 
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Open the System page and see what it says under Windows Edition. Right click the start button and select System.
Running winver should give you the same info. Right click the start button and select Run, then type in winver and hit enter.
That should tell you what version of windows you are running. That download will use the embedded OEM key automatically during install. Assuming you install the correct version.
 
The ISO you download is a clean version and does not have all the same extra programs that came with your laptop and may not have all the right drivers. Go to the laptop manufactures site and download any drivers they have for your model and save to an external device in case you need them. After install check Device Manager and see if there are any errors.

Jim :cool:
 
Open the System page and see what it says under Windows Edition. Right click the start button and select System.
Running winver should give you the same info. Right click the start button and select Run, then type in winver and hit enter.
That should tell you what version of windows you are running. That download will use the embedded OEM key automatically during install. Assuming you install the correct version.

so should i choose windows 8.1? btw, what's the "N"?

oh741z.jpg
 
The ISO you download is a clean version and does not have all the same extra programs that came with your laptop and may not have all the right drivers. Go to the laptop manufactures site and download any drivers they have for your model and save to an external device in case you need them. After install check Device Manager and see if there are any errors.

Jim :cool:

There's dvd that installs manual guide and some app again when i bought it, besides i want less programs and apps anyway, dont want any bloatwares hehe. i can check it out when i decided to do this. thnx hehe.
 
Open the System page and see what it says under Windows Edition. Right click the start button and select System.
Running winver should give you the same info. Right click the start button and select Run, then type in winver and hit enter.
That should tell you what version of windows you are running. That download will use the embedded OEM key automatically during install. Assuming you install the correct version.

so should i choose windows 8.1? btw, what's the "N"?

oh741z.jpg


Since it shows that you have Windows 8.1, that would be the ISO you would want to select using OPTION ONE in the tutorial.

The European N and KN editions of Windows 8 include the same functionality as Windows 8, except for media-related technologies (Windows Media Player, web camera), and certain preinstalled media apps (Camera, Music, and Video).

You can read more details about N editions below if you like. :)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/22414-media-feature-pack-install-windows-8-n-kn.html
 
The inevitable has happened: my hard drive says it could fail 'imminently' so I'm going to install a new one. For me this is about on a par with a visit to the dentist because it's a new experience where I feel my ability could be sorely tested (and, like with the dentist, I know I'll feel better afterwards :D).

Anyway, I would like to ask some simple questions to help me prepare. Some of these may certainly seem dumb (they do to me) but please bear with me:

Okay, let's start with the dumbest question:

I have the Windows 8.1.iso on a usb and plan to install with this. Presumably when I switch on after replacing the hard drive I will be able to get into the BIOS (by pressing F12 on my laptop) in order to boot to the usb? (Before anyone asks: I can't currently boot direct to a usb, I have to use Boot Manager - it's the way Dell does it - though I think I could make a usb with a GPT partition and boot direct to this. I'd prefer not to complicate things any more than I have to and though I can write those words I don't know how to carry out the action).

Incidentally, I made the .iso usb shortly after Windows released this; is there any benefit in making a new one before I start? (I remember reading that the .iso had been updated for the big 8.1 update, but my laptop had an OEM install and I don't know if this .iso works for those as well as for retail keys.)

I can read through the tutorials that should walk me through the process but is there any preparation I should do to the hard drive before starting out? Any pointers to particularly helpful tutorials or posts would be appreciated.

And I saw this comment from Shawn on the tutorial thread:

Before doing the installation, I would recommend to have all of your drivers downloaded from Acer and saved to a USB flash drive or some other location that's not getting formatted when doing the clean install. This way you will have them ready to install after Windows has finished installing in case you can't get an internet connection until the network driver is installed.

Sounds very sensible but what drivers are we talking about? Should I just work through Device Manager and download everything that's listed there or is there a specific set that I should have, then others can be added later?

Anything I haven't considered?
 
@SaggyMaggyPoo. I'm not sure what you mean by "I have to use a boot manager" but it's not uncommon to have to change the boot order in the BIOS when booting from something other than your hard drive. Your PC will go through each device in the boot list until it finds a bootable device. To speed up the boot process I have my hard drive set as the first boot device. If I leave it like that and plug in a bootable thumb drive it will just boot to the hard drive. I have to change the order so the thumb drive is first in the list. I do this with ny BIOS quick boot menu. It lets me change the order for that one boot and then on the next reboot it goes back to the default. It's great for doing windows installs. I only have to enter the BIOS one time. I could change the order so the USB is always at the top of the list but the PC would then look for a thumb drive every time it booted up.
It's up to you as to whether you make a new thumb drive. Me I like to have the latest version, it saves doing a bunch of Windows updates after your install. If your PC has UEFI, you'll want to make sure your thumb drive supports that.
On my ASUS laptop, the only thing that doesn't work after a clean install is the scroll function on my touchpad. Windows has come a long way as far as drivers go. If this is your only PC you may want to at least download the chip-set drivers and drivers for your network adapter. Once you have Internet you can then download any other drivers you may need. Being a Dell there should be a Service Tag number on a sticker that you can enter on the Dell site. It will then list only what's relevant to you model.
 
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@SaggyMaggyPoo. I'm not sure what you mean by "I have to use a boot manager" but it's not uncommon to have to change the boot order in the BIOS when booting from something other than your hard drive. Your PC will go through each device in the boot list until it finds a bootable device. To speed up the boot process I have my hard drive set as the first boot device. If I leave it like that and plug in a bootable thumb drive it will just boot to the hard drive. I have to change the order so the thumb drive is first in the list. I do this with ny BIOS quick boot menu. It lets me change the order for that one boot and then on the next reboot it goes back to the default. It's great for doing windows installs. I only have to enter the BIOS one time. I could change the order so the USB is always at the top of the list but the PC would then look for a thumb drive every time it booted up.
It's up to you as to whether you make a new thumb drive. Me I like to have the latest version, it saves doing a bunch of Windows updates after your install. If your PC has UEFI, you'll want to make sure your thumb drive supports that.
On my ASUS laptop, the only thing that doesn't work after a clean install is the scroll function on my touchpad. Windows has come a long way as far as drivers go. If this is your only PC you may want to at least download the chip-set drivers and drivers for your network adapter. Once you have Internet you can then download any other drivers you may need. Being a Dell there should be a Service Tag number on a sticker that you can enter on the Dell site. It will then list only what's relevant to you model.

Thanks for this @alpha.

Your explanation does cover my situation: my default boot order is to the hard drive, if I want to boot direct to a usb I have to press F12 at the Dell logo and enter boot manager and manually select the usb, which works for that boot only. Some time ago I followed one of Brink's tutorials to change the boot order to look for a usb first, but this failed, and when I asked on the Dell forum, I was told it's not possible.

But no problem as long as I can enter boot manager and manually choose to boot to my usb after replacing the hard drive, and you seem to be saying that I can do this. (Maybe my question should have been: where exactly IS the BIOS? I have no idea if it's on my hard drive or somewhere else and was thinking that I might lose access to it if I changed the hard drive :o.)

I'm also assuming that once I boot to the Windows 8.1.iso usb I can then just follow a process. Is that correct? Or do I need to use a Windows Recovery usb first to enable me to access the Windows 8.1.iso usb?

I'm not really sure if I have the latest version of the .iso but I will check before I start.

And thank you for the tip on the essential drivers. I will get these downloaded and saved, and make a separate note of my Dell Service Tag.
 
BIOS: Basic Input Output System. The BIOS is built into the motherboard. It's code written to a Microchip on the motherboard that handles the power up sequence or POST. Power On Self Test. It will run even if there is no hard drive connected. It's programed into the chip and can't be easily written over or erased. Not like DATA on your hard drive. When you press your case power button the CPU runs the code stored in the BIOS and executes the commends. It's the start up sequence for the PC. It looks for certain hardware and does some other checks and then goes to the boot device and starts up the OS and transfers control of the system to the OS. Some settings can be changed and even if you mess those up there is a load defaults option that should in most cases let you boot up your PC.

Once you boot from the install thumb drive you'll enter the install sequence. You'll get menus with options. basically here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html
 
:thumbsup:

Thank you for such a clear and concise explanation. Just what I needed.

I've just run through the tutorial - there's a lot there! Fortunately I will be able to have it on one laptop to refer to while I'm working on the other.

I plan to try and replicate my current system as regards the User accounts and computer name. Am I correct in assuming I will be able to use the same names and passwords again on the new hard drive, or am I going to have to come up with some new ones?
 
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