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

 

[visruth]

I can confirm that it will delete any folder named "Download" when you run it.

I added a warning at the top of Option One to help make sure folks don't lose any Download folder by mistake.

Thank you bubblebobble for making us aware of this bug

Will take care not to retain any Download folders in the location.

 

[alphanumeric]

How did you make the ISO UFEI and why ? I didn't see an option to make it UFEI during the d/l.

During the download I selected to make as ISO so I have it for the future.
I then used Rufus to make the bootable USB stick and that is where you choose UFEI of MBR.
UFEI and GPT is the newest format and since my Laptop supports it I went in that direction.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html



Jim

I burned the ISO to a DVD, will I get a good clean install on a SSD with it ?

As far as I know you don't have to do anything special if you are installing with a DVD. You should get two Boot options for the optical drive in the list, one will have UEFI in front of it. If your PC does not support UEFI you'll only see the one option for the DVD drive with no mention of UEFI.
Some PC's will not let you install in UEFI mode if the USB thumb drive is formatted in NTFS. This new Media creation Tool formats the thumb drive in Fat 32 so that shouldn't be an issue.

The screen shot in step 4 will show you what I mean about the two boot options, http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2328-uefi-unified-extensible-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html?

 

[COMPUTIAC]

During the download I selected to make as ISO so I have it for the future.
I then used Rufus to make the bootable USB stick and that is where you choose UFEI of MBR.
UFEI and GPT is the newest format and since my Laptop supports it I went in that direction.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html



Jim

I burned the ISO to a DVD, will I get a good clean install on a SSD with it ?

As far as I know you don't have to do anything special if you are installing with a DVD. You should get two Boot options for the optical drive in the list, one will have UEFI in front of it. If your PC does not support UEFI you'll only see the one option for the DVD drive with no mention of UEFI.
Some PC's will not let you install in UEFI mode if the USB thumb drive is formatted in NTFS. This new Media creation Tool formats the thumb drive in Fat 32 so that shouldn't be an issue.

The screen shot in step 4 will show you what I mean about the two boot options, http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2328-uefi-unified-extensible-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html?

Just saw this reply. Thanks for the link. Will give it a whirl soon as I get a new SSD.

 

[genet]

Installing using UEFI boot mode or Legacy BIOS boot mode. -> link

Instructions updated.

1. How to create UEFI Boot Mode compatible Windows 8 64-bit USB flash drive, which is only bootable in UEFI Boot Mode.

Format your USB flash drive (see screenshot below). Note: You need to choose the FAT32 file system.

When formatting is complete.
- In Windows 8, right click on the Windows 8 64-bit ISO image file and choose either Mount or Open with > Windows Explorer.
- Copy all files to USB flash drive.

Note that UEFI boot mode do not use boot sectors on the USB flash drive and do not require active partition to be set.

 

[christexaport]

I have an Acer R7 convertible with a 1TB HD and a 24GB SSD for fast boot. I have damaged my recovery partition, and want to do a clean install from USB using an ISO, but am not sure which one to use. My laptop was shipped with Windows 8 installed, and I have the BIOS stored product key. I have no issue installing 8 since I will update regardless. But which ISO download method should I use?
I also have the Windows 10 Technical Preview on another partition, but I want to restore my device to as near as factory as possible, filling the entire drive with 8.1, and then reinstall Windows 10 TP on a new partition after I get 8.1 where I want it. How would be the best course of action? Should I delete the W10TP partition first, resize the 8.1 I have currently, and then install the fresh install? I also have factory recovery partitions that are corrupted and not working. I'd like to reclaim that space as well. What to do, what to do... HMMM...

 

[alphanumeric]

Right click the Start Orb/button and select System. What does it list under Windows Edition? If you chose Custom Install you can do all the partitioning then. You can delete some or all of the partitions and then create new ones. Windows will create the special system reserved, EFI etc partitions on its own.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html

 

[Brink]

Hello Christexaport, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could use OPTION ONE to download a Windows 8 ISO that's the same as you originally had installed on the PC.

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.

I'd say it would be best to wipe the whole drive until it's unallocated, then do the usual clean install on it with UEFI like below.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...e-firmware-interface-install-windows-8-a.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[christexaport]

Hello Christexaport, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could use OPTION ONE to download a Windows 8 ISO that's the same as you originally had installed on the PC

Option 1 says "Download Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with "Windows Installation Media Creation".
My system shipped with Windows 8, not 8.1, which I updated from the Windows Store. My BIOS detected key, which I have, is for the OEM shipped Windows 8.
1. Will this Windows Installation Media Creation tool download Win8, or just 8.1?
2. Will my Windows 8 product code detected in the BIOS activate the Windows 8.1 installation? I've seen information that makes me think it will not.
3. I prefer to just install Windows 8, but if 8.1 can be activated with my key embedded in the BIOS, I'm cool, but need to be sure.

I'm currently booting into W10TP because my 8.1 installation won't boot. I can't be sure, but don't think it was 8 Pro.

 

[Brink]

From the details at Microsoft's site in Option One, it should detect your Windows 8 key during installation. If not, then you could just enter it instead.

You could use Option Five in the tutorial below to find your embedded product key to write it down if needed.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27129-product-key-find-windows-8-a.html

 

[visruth]

2. Will my Windows 8 product code detected in the BIOS activate the Windows 8.1 installation? I've seen information that makes me think it will not.

3. I prefer to just install Windows 8, but if 8.1 can be activated with my key embedded in the BIOS, I'm cool, but need to be sure.

2. From where have you got this info, any links?

3. Many of the members in the forum have tested this creation tool to install 8.1 Update in Win 8 OEM machine & activated automatically.

 

[alphanumeric]

Hello Christexaport, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You could use OPTION ONE to download a Windows 8 ISO that's the same as you originally had installed on the PC

Option 1 says "Download Windows 8.1 Update ISO File with "Windows Installation Media Creation".
My system shipped with Windows 8, not 8.1, which I updated from the Windows Store. My BIOS detected key, which I have, is for the OEM shipped Windows 8.
1. Will this Windows Installation Media Creation tool download Win8, or just 8.1?
2. Will my Windows 8 product code detected in the BIOS activate the Windows 8.1 installation? I've seen information that makes me think it will not.
3. I prefer to just install Windows 8, but if 8.1 can be activated with my key embedded in the BIOS, I'm cool, but need to be sure.

I'm currently booting into W10TP because my 8.1 installation won't boot. I can't be sure, but don't think it was 8 Pro.

!. The Media Creation tool downloads Windows 8.1.
2. It will use an embedded OEM 8.0 code, and activate with it. Tested it myself on my laptop.
3. My laptop came with 8.0 Core. I installed 8.1 core via Media Creation tool. It automatically used the embedded 8.0 key and activated online automatically. I did not even have to know what my key was. I just had to know what version of windows was installed. If I had installed 8.1 Pro it would have rejected my 8.0 Core key. I do believe most OEM installs are Core. If I was going to guess I'd guess Core. If you install Core and get prompted for a key then its likely Pro or the Single language version of Core.

 

[BazzaG]

Hi,

For Windows 8.1 ISO's that you could D/L *prior* to the new "Windows Installation Media Creation Tool" method you had to use a generic key for the installation & then activate windows with a Windows 8 key.

Is this still true for installing Windows from ISO's created by the MS WIMCT or can you now use a Window 8 Retail key?

 

[Brink]

Hi,

For Windows 8.1 ISO's that you could D/L *prior* to the new "Windows Installation Media Creation Tool" method you had to use a generic key for the installation & then activate windows with a Windows 8 key.

Is this still true for installing Windows from ISO's created by the MS WIMCT or can you now use a Window 8 Retail key?

Hello BazzaG,

You can now use any retail or OEM Windows 8/8.1 key to activate with the ISO downloaded from the WIMCT.

 

[KYHI]

The New tool will read OEM embedded Keys and will accept windows 8 retail key.. Best thing since sliced bread..

 

[BazzaG]

Hello BazzaG,
You can now use any retail or OEM Windows 8/8.1 key to activate with the ISO downloaded from the WIMCT.

Thanks Brink & Kyhi. I purchased several retail copies of Windows 8.0 about 14 months ago, used 1 of 'em earlier this year, now using another.

 

[alphanumeric]

Hello BazzaG,
You can now use any retail or OEM Windows 8/8.1 key to activate with the ISO downloaded from the WIMCT.

Thanks Brink & Kyhi. I purchased several retail copies of Windows 8.0 about 14 months ago, used 1 of 'em earlier this year, now using another.

I can confirm this. I installed 8.1 on my laptop from the media creation tool and it used the OEM 8.0 key with no issues. I've also installed and activated with my 8.0 TechNet keys, which are listed as Retail. Now I have twice as many windows 8.1 TechNet/MSDN keys as I can use my 8.0 keys to install 8.1. :thumb:

 

[BazzaG]

Thanks. I installed Win 8.1 from a WIMCT created ISO using the generic key but after installation I lost all the personalisation settings (screen colour, etc.) that I selected during the install. Couldn't change these until I activated windows; which it did without any issues. This is very different to the previous 8.1 ISO's from MS.

Anyway, I've been doing a lot testing on my new PC, so I'm about to do clean re-install & will use the real key this time.

Cheers
BazzaG...

 

[alphanumeric]

There are some personalization and sync options locked out until "verify your identity on this PC". If you skip that step during the install some stuff gets locked out. Some other stuff gets locked out until you activate too.

 

[BazzaG]

I'm not surprised that it's not just the personalisation features ... it's just that they were immediately obvious when the windows desktop opened after the install. As soon as I established a network; the default MS network drivers don't work for Intel network adapters, I activated windows.

 

[alphanumeric]

Some stuff I can see locking out, like syncing your IE passwords for web sites though your live ID. Locking out the personalization settings for background images etc I don't get? It is what it is though.