New way to create Windows 8.1 installation files /DVD

Jivesinger

If you have a Windows 8/8.1 computer, and wanted to download files to make a Windows 8.1 installation disk or USB, it looks like there is now an official way from Microsoft to do this.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

I haven't tried it yet, but it looks like you can download most of the versions of Windows 8.1, in 32-bit or 64-bit flavours.

This would be handy if you wanted to make a repair disk, or if you wanted to do a 'clean install'. It would also help folks who have had trouble upgrading from 8.0 to 8.1 via the Windows Store.

If you purchased a Windows 8.0 Upgrade Product Key and wanted to do a clean install of 8.1, you need to install windows 8.1 with one of the keys mentioned in the Note here (which allow you to install 8.1 but not activate), and then activate with your own 8.0 key later.

If your computer came with Windows 8 pre-installed, I believe the installation files created using the link above should detect that key on your computer when you try to install it, and activate automatically.

NiftyDigits

You might be out of luck if you have purchased a PC with Windows 8.1 with BING installed.
Haven't looked further as of yet.

Jivesinger

NiftyDigits wrote: »

You might be out of luck if you have purchased a PC with Windows 8.1 with BING installed.
Haven't looked further as of yet.

Yeah that's a good thought - I don't know much about that edition either I'm afraid.

I don't remember seeing 'with Bing' on the list of editions in the tool that you download - whether that means you can install ordinary Windows 8.1 with the product key, I don't know...

enfield_freddy

bing search is the default , used by Microsoft , on all versions of win 8


this is the version of there tool I have been using since the start of win 7 http://wudt.codeplex.com/


start it , search for your iso on your hard drive , select dvd or usb , done


yes it works on win 8 , inc d/loads from digital river.

NiftyDigits

enfield_freddy wrote: »

bing search is the default , used by Microsoft , on all versions of win 8


this is the version of there tool I have been using since the start of win 7 http://wudt.codeplex.com/


start it , search for your iso on your hard drive , select dvd or usb , done


yes it works on win 8 , inc d/loads from digital river.

Windows 8.1 with BING is another edition.

It's why I advise people to avoid machines supplied with it, if they can.

enfield_freddy

well maybe in *merica , but I hav,nt come across it yet in the UK

NiftyDigits

enfield_freddy wrote: »

well maybe in *merica , but I hav,nt come across it yet in the UK

What on earth.....?

They are rife in the UK.

Example

enfield_freddy

umm , I wasn't referring to a make.model of computer I was referring to the OS


anyway back to the original comment , the dvd/usb maker I posted seems easier to use and has been out since 2009

Jivesinger

enfield_freddy wrote: »

start it , search for your iso on your hard drive , select dvd or usb , done

yes it works on win 8 , inc d/loads from digital river.

.. but this only works if you have the ISO in the first place.

The tool mentioned on post 1 is a way obtaining the ISO for Windows 8.1 which I don't think has been available before, especially for people who bought a computer with Windows 8/8.1 pre-installed (but I'm not sure about the 'with Bing' edition as mentioned by Nifty).

wealdroam

enfield_freddy wrote: »

umm , I wasn't referring to a make.model of computer I was referring to the OS

Here's another example.

Note where it says:

Operating System: Windows 8.1 with Bing

NiftyDigits

enfield_freddy wrote: »

umm , I wasn't referring to a make.model of computer I was referring to the OS


anyway back to the original comment , the dvd/usb maker I posted seems easier to use and has been out since 2009

I know it's late, but try to pay attention. Windows 8.1 with BING is an edition separate from Windows 8.1 as you know it. You need different installation media.