I purchased Windows 8 online from Microsoft a while ago. Today Windows 8.1 was released as a free update to Windows 8 users over the Windows Store.
I was planning to do a fresh install of Windows 8.1 to have a clean system again and UEFI support because I got new hardware since the Windows 8 installation.
So my questions are:
- Where do I get the ISO installation medium for Windows 8.1 64-bit? I tried this microsoft site where I initially got my Windows 8 ISO from, but when entering my Windows 8 key in the Windows 8.1 installer, it says the key is wrong.
- Even if I get the ISO, will my old key work? I’m concerned because it didn’t work in their installer (see previous point)
Do they seriously want me to reinstall Windows 8 and after that upgrade to Windows 8.1 through their Store?!
Solution:
Here are the steps that lets you download the Windows 8.1 ISO using a legitimate retail Windows 8 product key:
- Download both the Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 setup installers from here.
- Once downloaded launch the Windows 8 installer and enter your product key when prompted to do so.
- Once the download begins, immediately pause your download at 1%. Do not quit the installer at the estimating time screen. Once you pause the download at 1%, quit the installer.
- Now, run the Windows 8.1 installer and you will notice that it will tell you “download did not complete successfully” and that there was an “element not found” error. This is normal. Close the installer.
- Now, re-launch the same Windows 8.1 installer. You will now be downloading the Windows 8.1 ISO. After the download is complete, you can save it as an ISO or create the USB media immediately.
- You can install Windows 8.1 using the ISO or even burn it to a DVD or make a bootable USB thumb drive with the media.
There is also an accompanying youtube video to the aforementioned step by step instructions that can be found alongside the full article entitled “How to download the Windows 8.1 ISO using your Windows 8 retail key” here.