Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create

ISO_file.png
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)

Download-2.jpg

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)

ESD-1.jpg

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

ESD-2.jpg

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


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

  • ESD-TO-ISO.zip
    341.8 KB · Views: 33,758
  • WindowsSetupBox.zip
    4.5 MB · Views: 45,851
Last edited by a moderator:
Click to expand...
borgus said:
Brink said:
Borgus,

Sorry, but no.

Since you upgraded with the free Windows 8.1 update from the Store in Window 8, you would have to reinstall Windows 8, then update to 8.1 whenever you wanted to do a clean install.
Click to expand...

So, if I correctly understand you, there is no way to obtain an 8.1 ISO that can be installed over 8.0 (which I can restore).
Or, better still, be installed over 8.1 PV. The only alternative is to upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1 via the STORE? Best
Click to expand...

If you purchase Windows 8.1 separately through the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant, then you could get a Windows 8.1 ISO file since this would be a full retail copy of Windows 8.1. Of course, if you purchased a retail box of Windows 8.1, then you could also create an ISO from the DVD as well.

When you update to Windows 8.1 via the Store, this is only and update from your Windows 8, so it's still using your Windows 8 product key. That's why you would have reinstall Windows 8 and update to 8.1 again anytime you wanted to clean install. Of course, you could just create a system image after updating to 8.1, and use it whenever you wanted to restore an image instead of starting all over.
 

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
Brink said:
If you purchase Windows 8.1 separately through the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant, then you could get a Windows 8.1 ISO file since this would be a full retail copy of Windows 8.1. Of course, if you purchased a retail box of Windows 8.1, then you could also create an ISO from the DVD as well.

When you update to Windows 8.1 via the Store, this is only and update from your Windows 8, so it's still using your Windows 8 product key. That's why you would have reinstall Windows 8 and update to 8.1 again anytime you wanted to clean install. Of course, you could just create a system image after updating to 8.1, and use it whenever you wanted to restore an image instead of starting all over.
Click to expand...

But of course. What I want to do is a 8.1PV overinstall, using the Win 8 key. And apparently that's not possible - with the only alternative to real-time (store) upgrade to 8.1RTM from 8.0 and REINSTALL all apps. Unless one wants to brave the torrents.
What a pain in the a--.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W8

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 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Not sure what you mean by leaked key.

You can use the default key to install from the iso, then use your purchased 8.0 key to activate.

I don't think you can upgrade the 8.1 preview unless you have an 8.1 key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
SIW2 said:
Not sure what you mean by leaked key.

You can use the default key to install from the iso, then use your purchased 8.0 key to activate.
Click to expand...

The key that have been around the internet since like august.
So you can use the default key and activate using Windows 8 key?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
I used the store to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro with WMC, and apart from replacing my local account with my Microsoft account - I guess that was my fault, it went OK generally.

I wanted to get the ISO in case I need to reinstall cleanly, so I followed the Tutorial steps to download WindowsSetupBox.exe.

I already have Windows8-Setup.exe from last year when I upgraded to Windows 8, from the installed OS on the machine I had bought in August 2012.

When I ran WindowsSetupBox.exe, it would not accept the Windows 8 product key I received from the email in October 2012, when I purchased the upgrade via Microsoft.

Unsurprisingly it also did not accept the WMC upgrade key.

It did however like the generic key xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-PDG4W that Belarc Advisor reports for Microsoft Internet Explorer, saying "Your product key is fine. Press next when you're ready"

But on the next screen I get Windows 8.1 setup, and also Windows 8 setup when I tried it telling me "Windows 8.1 isn't available for download. Sorry, Windows 8.1 isn't available for online purchase in the country/region you're in."

Screenshot (73).png

I've seen recommendations to run setup for 8.0 in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP3, which does not work with 8.1 setup. Any ideas?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Hello fafhrd,

Nar, it's not surprising. :)

warning   Warning
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 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.

 

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
SIW2 said:
Not sure what you mean by leaked key.

You can use the default key to install from the iso, then use your purchased 8.0 key to activate.

I don't think you can upgrade the 8.1 preview unless you have an 8.1 key.
Click to expand...
Apologies that I'm probably not answering the question (certainly not the part about ISOs) ... but in case it helps anyone, I have done the following:

  • clean installed the 8.1 Preview using the 8.1 Preview ISO and the default Preview product key
  • upgraded in the Windows Store to 8.1 Final
  • Windows boots up with no problem and takes me through the rest of setup
  • input my 8.0 Product Key and activated 8.1 successfully.

The 8.0 Product Key was a Windows 8 Pro Upgrade key that had previously been used on the same machine before I wiped it with the Preview.

So you can upgrade the 8.1 Preview using an 8.0 key - I've done it!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't sure about the situation PREVIEW>GA.
Works just the same, then.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
DavidY said:
SIW2 said:
Not sure what you mean by leaked key.

You can use the default key to install from the iso, then use your purchased 8.0 key to activate.

I don't think you can upgrade the 8.1 preview unless you have an 8.1 key.
Click to expand...
Apologies that I'm probably not answering the question (certainly not the part about ISOs) ... but in case it helps anyone, I have done the following:

  • clean installed the 8.1 Preview using the 8.1 Preview ISO and the default Preview product key
  • upgraded in the Windows Store to 8.1 Final
  • Windows boots up with no problem and takes me through the rest of setup
  • input my 8.0 Product Key and activated 8.1 successfully.

The 8.0 Product Key was a Windows 8 Pro Upgrade key that had previously been used on the same machine before I wiped it with the Preview.

So you can upgrade the 8.1 Preview using an 8.0 key - I've done it!
Click to expand...

Thank you David.

Was this on an OEM PC that came with Windows 8 Pro preinstalled?
 

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 Shawn,

The PC was originally Windows 7, not OEM Windows 8. I originally upgraded it to 8 Pro when the cheap Windows 8 Pro Upgrade offers were around last year.

As I hadn't anything important on the PC, I wiped it with a clean install of 8.1 Preview, then upgraded to 8.1 final as above, using the Windows Store.

I think one difference to what I've read about the upgrade from 8.0 is that I *had* to have a Microsoft Account to start the download; maybe it's a different Store in 8.1 Preview.

Also, I had this message which I guess is specific to the Preview
Preview_Warning_Screenshot.png

When I ran the 8.1 Final install, it took me through the Setup steps (agree to licence terms, pick a colour scheme etc.) and had an "It's time to enter your product key" step during that phase.

However the Product Key message did have a "Skip" option, and I was able to enter the Product Key later, once Windows 8.1 was running (although it did require internet access). The product key I used was the same Windows 8.0 Pro Upgrade key which I'd used to upgrade the PC to Windows 8.

Does that help?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
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
Since my laptop has Windows 7 originally installed, which I upgraded to Windows 8 Pro via the discount upgrade program a year ago, which in turn I upgraded 2 weeks ago to Windows 8.1 Pro via the Windows Store, can I use this method to download either a full or upgrade version of Windows 8.1 Pro such that I can use it for a repair install or a system refresh?

Remember that I only have a Windows 8 activation key, not Windows 8.1 (since I directly upgrade via the Store). ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Fujitsu Lifebook LH772
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3210M
    Motherboard
    N/A
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD7500BPVT (750GB)

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
Having upgraded an 8 Pro WMC upgrade to 8.1 Pro WMC via the Windows store Update, I had no way to download an ISO image for 8.1, without falling into numerous dead ends.

Eventually I had to resort to using a Windows 7 installation, and run the Windows 8 pro setup on that to "prime" the C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WebSetup\ folder so that the Windows 8 key I had would be accepted by the Windows 8.1 setup as a valid key to start the download.

I could then follow through to create a Windows 8.1 installation .ISO file. At last.

That was 64-bit.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP COMPAQ Presario CQ57
    CPU
    AMD E- 300 APU with Radion HD Graphics 1.30GHz
    Motherboard
    inbuilt
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI
    Sound Card
    High Definition Audio on-board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    notebook
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST9500325AS
    Google drive 15GB
    Skydrive 25GB
    BT Cloud
    PSU
    external 20v
    Case
    Laptop
    Cooling
    pretty good
    Keyboard
    inbuilt
    Mouse
    touchpad
    Internet Speed
    BT Infinity Unlimited - 80 up 20 down =70/16 really
    Browser
    Chrome Canary usually
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    no Start menu modifications
    Upgraded with no issues to 8.0 and to 8.1
Certain files have become corrupted on my computer and windows programs like windows update cannot connect to the internet. Therefore the windows setup won't download on my computer. I tried to download the windows 8 setup on another laptop and save it to a usb drive, only to realize after the fact that the other computer was 64 bit and mine is 32 bit. I do not have access to another 32 bit computer. Is there any other way I can download the windows setup?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
Cipher said:
Certain files have become corrupted on my computer and windows programs like windows update cannot connect to the internet. Therefore the windows setup won't download on my computer. I tried to download the windows 8 setup on another laptop and save it to a usb drive, only to realize after the fact that the other computer was 64 bit and mine is 32 bit. I do not have access to another 32 bit computer. Is there any other way I can download the windows setup?
Click to expand...

NO, but you can order back up DVD's, link in your email.

Email.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Cipher said:
Certain files have become corrupted on my computer and windows programs like windows update cannot connect to the internet. Therefore the windows setup won't download on my computer. I tried to download the windows 8 setup on another laptop and save it to a usb drive, only to realize after the fact that the other computer was 64 bit and mine is 32 bit. I do not have access to another 32 bit computer. Is there any other way I can download the windows setup?
Click to expand...
No guarantees that this will work... but if you have space on your disk and enough RAM on your working machine, you could try downloading the Evaluation version of 64-bit Windows 8.1 Enterprise, and run it in a Virtual Machine (eg. using VirtualBox or one of the other free VMs). Then use the Windows 8 "download using a product key" link within Windows 8.1 Enterprise.

You need the right hardware (especially processor) though - my old laptop lacks a crucial feature to run 64-bit Windows in a VM, so I couldn't do it from that machine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top