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

 

[Ztruker]

I installed Windows 8.1 from Windows 8 on 4/14 and it did include Update 1.

I decided to re-run the ESD-TO-ISO tool. It generated a WIN8x64.iso that is 3,212,960 KB in size.

If I reinstall with this iso, will it be 8.1 or 8.1.1 (8.1 with update 1)? Any way to tell?

When I look at C:\ESD, 09/30/2013 is the newest date, which is when I got this computer from Lenovo.

 

[Brink]

Hey Rich,

You could use the ISO to install in a virtual machine to test and see. It should be for Windows 8.1 Update since that's what was used to install it though.

However, when I downloaded an ISO with my Windows 8.1 product key using Option Two a few days ago to see what it installed, and it only installed Windows 8.1 and not Windows 8.1 Update.

 

[Ztruker]

I definitely have 8.1 update 1. I have the Power and Search icons on the Modern desktop and Windows key + T brings up the Taskbar on the Modern desktop.

Good idea about a virtual install. I have Oracle VirtualBox so I'll give it a try and see what I get.

 

[Ztruker]

Checked my records and it turns out I bought my Lenovo 12/11/2013. It had Windows 8 X64.
I updated to 8 Pro X64 via the Pro Pack from MS.

Did the 8.1 upgrade from the MS Store on 04/14. That must be where the C:\ESD folder came from as it would not have been there when I first got it from Lenovo.

The 8.1 update 1 did not touch the C:\ESD folder so that's why the ISO it made using the ESD-TO-ISO tool created a 8.1 Pro X64 setup.

This now makes sense to me.

 

[Brink]

That's to bad. Hopefully the rumored release on the 30th for the ISOs is true.

 

[alphanumeric]

The download in this thread also creates an ESD folder. The ISO or bootable thumb drive it creates uses the files in the ESD folder.

 

[Mansome]

Has anyone tried the product key only method again to see if its the updated ISO?

 

[Brink]

Hello Mansome,

It's still just a Windows 8.1 ISO that downloads, and not Windows 8.1 Update yet. I'll test again later today since it is still early in the day.

 

[alphanumeric]

I planed on testing it to see myself. I'm going to wait until the 1st though.

EDIT: I see the new version of MDOP is up on TechNet so today is the day fro some of the new updates. This might be one of them. I'm still waiting till tomorrow though.

 

[Brink]

Windows 8.1 Update ISO still not available.

 

[Bazzer]

Hi Brink

I'm trying to download the 8.1 update from the UK link at the start of this thread. Everything went OK but the file size of the downloaded Windows 8.1 file is 3,218,304kb but the file size of the downloaded Windows 8 is exactly the same. This seems strange to me, is there any way to tell what version of the Windows iso I have?

 

[Edwin]

Hi Brink

I'm trying to download the 8.1 update from the UK link at the start of this thread. Everything went OK but the file size of the downloaded Windows 8.1 file is 3,218,304kb but the file size of the downloaded Windows 8 is exactly the same. This seems strange to me, is there any way to tell what version of the Windows iso I have?

Hi Bazzer:
You could 'mount' the iso, right click on the setup.exe and choose 'properties', details tab and check the file version.

 

[Bazzer]

Hi Edwin,

Thanks for that, the file version of the setup.exe is 6.3.9600.16384, do you know if that's the 8.1 iso?

 

[alphanumeric]

I just had another go at downloading the 8.1 ISO. I haven't tried an install with it but looking at the files, everything is dated 2013. No update 1 as far as I can tell. I'm not sure I'm going to bother doing an install to confirm. I think Brinks already done that.

 

[Brink]

Yep, Windows 8.1 Update ISO still not available. Only the Windows 8.1 ISO still.

 

[burtie]

Yep, Windows 8.1 Update ISO still not available. Only the Windows 8.1 ISO still.

Ah thats a shame

 

[SIW2]

That may have stayed the same. Not every file will be new.

Hi Edwin,

Thanks for that, the file version of the setup.exe is 6.3.9600.16384, do you know if that's the 8.1 iso?

 

[Chillblast]

Upgrade from 8 to 8.1, is clean install possible?

I am running Windows 8 64 bit as a clean install from an ISO disc (plus Windows Media Player which subsequently as an upgrade which I downloaded for free in the limited time it was on offer). Orinianlly the PC ran Win 7 64 bit.
When my PC keeps asking me if I want to upgrade to 8.1, can I get this as a download to create an ISO disc and create a clean install?
The PC in question used your tutorial to installl Windows 8 as a clean install and when installing move the profiles to another hard drive as the boot C drive is an SSD.

I ask this as another PC conventially setup with just a C drive running Windows 8 32 bit when I upgraded this to 8.1 32 bit it just went off and installled it

Thanks

Steve

 

[Brink]

Hello Steve,

If you like, you could download a Windows 8.1 ISO using your retail Windows 8 product key (not the WMC key) in OPTION ONE, and be able to clean install with it.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

The Windows 8.1 Update ISO is not available for download yet.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[HippsieGypsie]

A few questions. I bought 8 Pro System Builder edition and upgraded to 8.1 via the Store then on to 8.1 Update 1. I understand that I cannot fresh install 8.1 with my 8 product key.

1. Will the 8.1 ISO work as a repair disk?

2. Is it legal for me to install my original 8 on another partition so to dual boot with 8.1? So often I want to help those with 8 problems and would like it to reference with.