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

 

[lololo]

I made the iso file following option 1. Then I burned it onto a dvd. Can I use this dvd and change the boot order to run the dvd - iso. or is my dvd with the iso not a boot disc?

 

[Brink]

Hello lololo,

If you used a method like in the tutorial to burn the ISO to the DVD, then the DVD will be bootable.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

However, if you wanted to use it to install Windows 8.1 with UEFI, then you'll need to create a bootable USB that supports UEFI instead.

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

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[lololo]

I made the windows 8.1 64 bit single language iso and burned it to dvd. Booting from dvd I get the following message:

Reboot and Select proper Boot device or Insert Boot Media in selected Boot device and press a key

Did I not burn the dvd properly or did I use the wrong version?

My laptop does not have the option to boot from usb, only cd/dvd.

 

[Brink]

It doesn't sound like it. Try again using an option in the tutorial, and you should be able to boot from it.

 

[LittleJay]

A question about downloading a Windows 8.1 iso using the media creation tool. Is the content of the iso kept up to date with all the latest Windows Updates? I already have an older DVD with Windows 8.1, but using it to do a new clean install requires installing over a Gb of Windows Updates. So it would save me some time if the new iso would already have those updates.

 

[KYHI]

Yes, the ISO updates the Service Pack Build
Which I believe is up until April - build 17415

 

[LittleJay]

Yes, the ISO updates the Service Pack Build
Which I believe is up until April - build 17415

Great! Thanks for your reply.

 

[Phone Man]

To get the latest W8.1 version go to the MS site and download the current Media Creation Tool.

Jim

 

[Brink]

To get the latest W8.1 version go to the MS site and download the current Media Creation Tool.

Jim

In Option One.

 

[branueye]

Hey everyone,

Thanks Brink for this invaluable post. I would be lost trying to figure out my activation issue without this.

I chose to go with Option 1 and so far so good. I have my 8.1 Update .ISO ready to go but before I go ahead and create a bootable flash with it, for the sake of clarity, I wanted to ask:

If I'm planning on using my OEM Windows 8 Pro product key, more specifically the "product key embedded in the UEFI firmware" that you mentioned in the Note section for Option 1, would it then be essential to use a bootable UEFI flash for the installation so that the product key can be automatically detected and used? or can you use any of the various methods of installation?

Thanks again

- Dan

 

[Brink]

Hello Dan, and welcome to Eight Forums.

You can use any method you like to install Windows. During setup, Windows should automatically detect the product key embedded in your UEFI firmware chip.

 

[branueye]

Thanks a lot, that worked perfectly.

I was able to roll back my deactivated Windows 8.1 Pro MC installation back to an activated standard 8.1 Pro with my settings, files and apps intact. All without even entering my OEM Windows 8 Pro key.

 

[Brink]

Great news.

 

[tristankill]

Don't you need to make the USB bootable?

 

[Brink]

Hello Tristan,

Yes, you could use the ISO to create a USB to install Windows with either UEFI or legacy BIOS.

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

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

 

[cmanis1]

Brink
I have an Acer i5-3230m 4-in-1 desktop and with an OEM product key for Windows 8 64 bit, and had been using the win 8 for about 2 years, and all worked fine then upgraded to win 8.1 and all worked fine until a virus caused a problem. So I started again and loaded win 8 from partition and that loaded fine. I then loaded several application files/programs, and all worked fine. then tried to upgrade to win 8.1 and it it fails in configuring windows updates, and reverts changes back to win 8.

I have been re-looking at your win 8 tutorials and this one /tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html / option three, and my question below...

I see it say this will not work with an OEM key, but wonder if there is any way I would be able to get a win 8 64 bit update for my system. I do not wish to reload all the files and applicatons I have on it now.

everything on my current win 8 seems to be working well EXCEPT when I try to update it to win 8.1.
I hope this is enough info about to get a reply from you.

Thanks for any comments,. and I am still trying to read answers/replies that are sent to me. Thanks, Cliff

 

[Brink]

Hello cmanis1,

If you like you can download a 64-bit Windows 8.1 ISO file using OPTION ONE that you can activate with your key.

 

[UserNamedEd]

Hello and first I would like to say thanks to the person who created this tutorial, and also thanks to the other helpful users who also made contributions wich I find to be very interesting. I hope it's not too late and someone anwsers my question.

The question is: will this method let me manage partitions (erase, unify) during the EFI installation?

My problem is that I made a System Reset with the HP Recovery Manager but it crashed, so the computer Rebooted on a very basic Windows 8 and splited my HDD into an small 70 GB partition and the rest dissapered (I could see the partition in the Hard drive administrator tho). Well, I restored Windows again, this time from the restore option in PC configuration (I tried this the firt time, but it didn't let me for some reason), so when it was done, the partition problem was still there, and I did some research and turns out this is a common problem with the HP Recovery Manager.

I'm downloading the Windows iso right now, I just couldn't wait for an answer. It's 4 AM where I live and I need my laptop for college. Anyway, I'm leaving this message in case this method doesn't work for me, so maybe one of you can give me an alternative or help me restore my HDD and erase all partitions to finally do this clean install from zero.

 

[alphanumeric]

Yes, you can delete, create, and format partitions. You can do anything you can do with the full retail DVD. Same menus etc.

 

[Ztruker]

The best way to install Windows 8.1 is to delete all partitions during the install then click Next without creating any new ones. Let the installer create the partitions it needs.

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