Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

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



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)



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



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)



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



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




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




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.



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.

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



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



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



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

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.



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



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



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.





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



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



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)



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



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.



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)



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



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.



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.



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.

​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Download and Use Official Recovery Image for your Surface
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1
• How to Download and Run "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" and "Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant"
• How to Upgrade from Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, or XP to Windows 8 or 8.1
• Create a Bootable UEFI USB Flash Drive for Installing Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO
• How to Install Windows 8 and 8.1 on VMware Player
• How to Install Windows 8 and 8.1 on VirtualBox
• How to Add Features to Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Find Your Windows 8 and 8.1 Product Key Number

 

[alphanumeric]

That's good to here. I just downloaded 8.1 Pro 64 bit and this one is larger than what I had saved. 3,433,472 KB versus 3,346,752 KB for the old one. Where is the product XML file located?

 

[Superfly]

I think the actual folder name changes each time it's created in temp - it has a long alphanumeric ( ) name - I usually grab it from task manager's 'open file location' context menu after starting the tool.

 

[alphanumeric]

I think the actual folder name changes each time it's created in temp - it has a long alphanumeric ( ) name - I usually grab it from task manager's 'open file location' context menu after starting the tool.

OK, it's part of the downloaded files used to build the ISO, but not on the ISO.

 

[KYHI]

When you use the "Create Installation Media Tool for Windows 8.1" from Microsoft, a *.TMP File is downloaded to >

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Temp\some random alpha numeric\Media Creation Tool Expanded\Windows Installation Media Creation Tool\Download\*.tmp

Note: To view the media tools download folder > Go to control panel > folder options > view tab > mark show hidden files,folders,drives
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This *.TMP File is renamed to WINPAYLOAD.ESD and then renamed to WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT while the media tool progresses.

You should copy WINPAYLOAD.ESD.DECRYPT to your desktop before the media tool finishes, as this file gets deleted when the media tool finishes.

 

[Phone Man]

I had saved an earlier version of "mediacreationtool.exe" to my system and it gave me an older version of the ISO. (August Update)
Used a new copy and I got the newer version of the ISO. (November Update)
Here is the information of the latest version which is also linked in the first post.



Jim

 

[Superfly]

The tool gets updated each time so that it includes a new products.xml which contains the links to the latest downloads. It could be more intuitive but maybe Windows 8 is not a priority at Redmond right now... Windows 10 will be different... as a rolling release, however.

 

[Phone Man]

The tool gets updated each time so that it includes a new products.xml which contains the links to the latest downloads. It could be more intuitive but maybe Windows 8 is not a priority at Redmond right now... Windows 10 will be different... as a rolling release, however.

I had not realized the the tool was the key to which update I got. When Alphanumeric reported a different ISO size and I was getting the small size, I used the latest version of the tool and got the new size. Learn something new each day. Also my Temp folders are still there and have the products.xml file which shows the version information.



Jim

 

[genet]

so do you confirm that the downloaded iso does not contain the big kb3000850 update? thnx

The ESD-ISO now contain the big KB3000850 update.

 

[er0senn1n]

Hello all

Apologies if this has been asked an answered, I followed option 1 as my windows was constantly freezing and have successfully installed Windows. I wasnt at any point asked for a product key should I asume that it used my oem key to install the software, and just to be sure this install will require me to download all my drivers.

Thanks in advance, and many thanks for the great guide

 

[visruth]

Hello all

Apologies if this has been asked an answered, I followed option 1 as my windows was constantly freezing and have successfully installed Windows. I wasnt at any point asked for a product key should I asume that it used my oem key to install the software, and just to be sure this install will require me to download all my drivers.

Thanks in advance, and many thanks for the great guide

Welcome to Eightforums

Yes you don't have to type in the product activation key. By following Option 1, the installation would automatically detect the OEM key from BIOS.

Additional drivers, you've to get it from your manufacturer's support site.

 

[Phone Man]

Hello all

Apologies if this has been asked an answered, I followed option 1 as my windows was constantly freezing and have successfully installed Windows. I wasnt at any point asked for a product key should I asume that it used my oem key to install the software, and just to be sure this install will require me to download all my drivers.

Thanks in advance, and many thanks for the great guide

Look in Device Manager for errors and then download the drivers. MS does supply a lot of drivers but the manufacture may have newer drivers.
If you look at System it should show you are activated as it will read the OEM key from Bios.

Jim

 

[derekimo]

I used option three to download windows 8 on a 64bit computer and the ISO it created is 2.69GB, that seems kind of small for a 64bit ISO or am I missing something?

 

[Brink]

A single language ISO would be smaller, but that is still a bit small for a 64-bit version.

 

[KYHI]

Core is slightly larger then Pro and the 8.1 Pro x64 ISO downloaded/created yesterday is 3.27GB

 

[alphanumeric]

Option one is the better option IMHO, Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

 

[derekimo]

Yeah, I thought it was small. I just looked at the x64 W8 Pro ISO I got back in 2012 from my dreamspark acct and it is 3.5GB.

Thanks alpha, I'm creating one of those right now for 8.1 Pro.

Pardon my W8/W8.1 ignorance, but if my product key is for W8, I can only use W8 install media, correct? I can't use W8.1 media?

 

[alphanumeric]

Yeah, I thought it was small. I just looked at the x64 W8 Pro ISO I got back in 2012 from my dreamspark acct and it is 3.5GB.

Thanks alpha, I'm creating one of those right now for 8.1 Pro.

Pardon my W8/W8.1 ignorance, but if my product key is for W8, I can only use W8 install media, correct? I can't use W8.1 media?

No, that media from the Media Creation Tool will use 8.0 and 8.1 codes. even OEM embedded codes. 8.1 will accept 8.0 and 8.1 codes, 8.1 Pro will accept 8.0 Pro and 8.1 Pro keys.

 

[derekimo]

Yeah, I thought it was small. I just looked at the x64 W8 Pro ISO I got back in 2012 from my dreamspark acct and it is 3.5GB.

Thanks alpha, I'm creating one of those right now for 8.1 Pro.

Pardon my W8/W8.1 ignorance, but if my product key is for W8, I can only use W8 install media, correct? I can't use W8.1 media?

No, that media from the Media Creation Tool will use 8.0 and 8.1 codes. even OEM embedded codes. 8.1 will accept 8.0 and 8.1 codes, 8.1 Pro will accept 8.0 Pro and 8.1 Pro keys.

Thanks again alpha, I don't know why I thought that but thanks for clearing it up for me.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yeah, I thought it was small. I just looked at the x64 W8 Pro ISO I got back in 2012 from my dreamspark acct and it is 3.5GB.

Thanks alpha, I'm creating one of those right now for 8.1 Pro.

Pardon my W8/W8.1 ignorance, but if my product key is for W8, I can only use W8 install media, correct? I can't use W8.1 media?

No, that media from the Media Creation Tool will use 8.0 and 8.1 codes. even OEM embedded codes. 8.1 will accept 8.0 and 8.1 codes, 8.1 Pro will accept 8.0 Pro and 8.1 Pro keys.

Thanks again alpha, I don't know why I thought that but thanks for clearing it up for me.

The older download required installing with a generic Windows 8.1 key that would not activate. Then you activated with your 8.0 key. You may be thinking of that. It's a lot easier now, no hoops to have to jump through.

 

[derekimo]

No, that media from the Media Creation Tool will use 8.0 and 8.1 codes. even OEM embedded codes. 8.1 will accept 8.0 and 8.1 codes, 8.1 Pro will accept 8.0 Pro and 8.1 Pro keys.

Thanks again alpha, I don't know why I thought that but thanks for clearing it up for me.

The older download required installing with a generic Windows 8.1 key that would not activate. Then you activated with your 8.0 key. You may be thinking of that. It's a lot easier now, no hoops to have to jump through.

That's probably it, good to know I wasn't just making something up, lol.

I like not having to jump through hoops.