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]

Hopefully they update it at some point. But yes, it's still better than having to find an ISO by other means. It may be a bit outdated but it's straight from Microsoft, clean and unmodified.

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

I do believe somebody else has confirmed that. Read back a bit and you should see it. I use my MSDN ISO's for my installs.

 

[genet]

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

 

[bubblebobble]

ok ty :thumb:

hope they'll update in the future...

 

[Mustang]

#bubblebobble. I recently downloaded the first option for the W8.1 ISO shown at:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html#option1

I have since installed it on 2 PCs using my W8 and W8.1 OEM disks purchased from a retail shop. It does contain the KB3000850 update, but loaded and activated OK. Have since downloaded and installed all other W8.1 updates with no problems.

 

[Burgurne]

This does not work for me .

I want to use option 1, and this is how far I can get.

I select Language (danish)
I select Edition (Windows 8.1 Pro)
I select Architecture (x64)

I click NEXT

I select ISO file

I click NEXT

Now a window open where I can select where to save windows.iso. I have tried severel destinations like, Downloads, C:\, D:\
and after selecting a destination, I click on Save.

After that the window close again and download is starting, but after ½ second it ends with this window:




What am I doing wrong?? As written I have tried severel different locations, but with no sucess.

 

[Brink]

Hello Burgurne,

Have you already tried saving it to you desktop to see if it may be able to there?

 

[Burgurne]

Yes I have tried that (and again just now to be sure) It stops at the same window with the same error.

 

[Brink]

Did you make any changes or move your user profile or user folders?

 

[Burgurne]

No. But I might have a wild guess ....

I am trying to do this in Windows 10! Could that be the reason?

 

[Brink]

Could be, but it worked fine in my Windows 10. Might test in Windows 8 or 7 to see how it works in them.

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm not sure if this helps or not, it just confused me but anyway have a look, https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365503(v=vs.85).aspx

 

[Phone Man]

If I remember correctly that program downloads a group of files to an ESD directory in the C:\ directory and then converts it to an ISO and stores the ISO in the directory you choose and then deletes the files in the ESD directory. I think W10 also stores updates to the TP version in the same ESD directory. Maybe this causes a conflict.

Jim

 

[DavidY]

I'm not sure if this helps or not, it just confused me but anyway have a look, https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365503(v=vs.85).aspx

I don't understand it either but I do think that you're right to spot the thing about reparse points.

Now a window open where I can select where to save windows.iso. I have tried severel destinations like, Downloads, C:\, D:\
and after selecting a destination, I click on Save.

What am I doing wrong?? As written I have tried severel different locations, but with no sucess.

I wouldn't try root folders like c:\ or d:\. Have you tried making a folder which is one level down from the root folders (like d:\temp) and using that?

 

[alphanumeric]

I'm not sure if this helps or not, it just confused me but anyway have a look, https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365503(v=vs.85).aspx

I don't understand it either but I do think that you're right to spot the thing about reparse points.

That's the error message in the screen shot. Looking at what else has been posted I'm thinking its a problem with the ESD folder, not the final location when the ISO is stored. It's erroring during the files download not the creation of the ISO. That's what it looks like to me anyway.

 

[Slartybart]

I'm not sure if this helps or not, it just confused me but anyway have a look, https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa365503(v=vs.85).aspx

I don't understand it either but I do think that you're right to spot the thing about reparse points.

That's the error message in the screen shot. Looking at what else has been posted I'm thinking its a problem with the ESD folder, not the final location when the ISO is stored. It's erroring during the files download not the creation of the ISO. That's what it looks like to me anyway.

Launch an elevated Command Prompt and type

c:
cd \
dir /aL /s > c:\ReparseList.txt
exit​

c:\ReparseList.txt will show all of the reparse points on the c: drive

---

If I remember correctly that program downloads a group of files to an ESD directory in the C:\ directory and then converts it to an ISO and stores the ISO in the directory you choose and then deletes the files in the ESD directory. I think W10 also stores updates to the TP version in the same ESD directory. Maybe this causes a conflict.

Jim

There's a file in the ESD folder that controls updates. I no longer have it on my system, so if you could post the contents, that would refresh my memory. If that file is renamed for the Media Creation Tool (renamed back afterwards for Win10 processing) you might have better luck - not sure.

I also wonder if the Danish language is causing an issue on Win10.

Indiser Hub-Win10
We’ve added the following languages:
•Japanese
•Russian
•German
•French
•French (Canada)
•Korean
•Italian
•Spanish
•Spanish (Latin America)
•Traditional Chinese
•Swedish
•Finnish
•Turkish
•Arabic
•Dutch
•Czech
•Polish
•Thai
•Vietnamese (Language Interface Pack)
•Catalan (Language Interface Pack)
•Hindi (Language Interface Pack)

 

[SaggyMaggyPoo]

#bubblebobble. I recently downloaded the first option for the W8.1 ISO shown at:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html#option1

I have since installed it on 2 PCs using my W8 and W8.1 OEM disks purchased from a retail shop. It does contain the KB3000850 update, but loaded and activated OK. Have since downloaded and installed all other W8.1 updates with no problems.

Strange. I used this same link to create my media and it DIDN'T include the KB3000850 update.

 

[alphanumeric]

#bubblebobble. I recently downloaded the first option for the W8.1 ISO shown at:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html#option1

I have since installed it on 2 PCs using my W8 and W8.1 OEM disks purchased from a retail shop. It does contain the KB3000850 update, but loaded and activated OK. Have since downloaded and installed all other W8.1 updates with no problems.

Strange. I used this same link to create my media and it DIDN'T include the KB3000850 update.

I find his statements confusing? He mentions that download but then states he used "OEM disks purchased from a retail shop" to do the install? Unless he means the product codes for those disks? I can't make any sense out of what was stated?

 

[SaggyMaggyPoo]

I find his statements confusing? He mentions that download but then states he used "OEM disks purchased from a retail shop" to do the install? Unless he means the product codes for those disks? I can't make any sense out of what was stated?

Me too. I wasn't sure if 'It does contain the KB... update' might be an error (should say 'doesn't'?), which is why I replied.

I have actually seen OEM disks advertised for sale on a UK website. But why would you want both 8.1 disks and the .iso unless - as you suggest - you needed a key from somewhere?

Just goes to show that no two experiences are the same.

 

[alphanumeric]

I find his statements confusing? He mentions that download but then states he used "OEM disks purchased from a retail shop" to do the install? Unless he means the product codes for those disks? I can't make any sense out of what was stated?

Me too. I wasn't sure if 'It does contain the KB... update' might be an error (should say 'doesn't'?), which is why I replied.

I have actually seen OEM disks advertised for sale on a UK website. But why would you want both 8.1 disks and the .iso unless - as you suggest - you needed a key from somewhere?

Just goes to show that no two experiences are the same.

It may be that he bought Windows 8 and then Windows 8.1, codes and Disk's. But now wants an ISO that is more up to date, one that includes updates not on the DVD's he has now. Or that the 8.1 disk he bought does include the latest update where as the downloaded ISO doesn't? Like I said as stated by him it's confusing. Have to see if he replies again with a better info.

 

[Superfly]

I'm not sure if this has been reported before but the Mediacreationtool now has the November updated downloads...

From Product.xml:
+<PublishedMedia release="Windows Blue November RTM Slipstream" id="472">

FWIW....