Original Windows 8.1 Pro Install Disk

leonardo

Hi all,

I need to get hold of an original windows 8.1 pro retail - installation dvd.

I don't want to go down the installation media download route.

I already have a legally obtained key, but I just want a real physical (original) install disc.

Can anybody point me in the right direction.

Leo

pappa_golf

a physical copy that is faster than the royal mail!!!






https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows8




there you go , download and burn to a pendrive/dvd on the machine (or another) start it , and enter the key


OR go on ebay / amazon etc and buy a copy WITH a key

NiftyDigits

If you are insistent on obtaining physical media, a DELL reinstallion disc.might be suitable.
But really, you can and should just create your own media.

leonardo

Anti-virus suites currently only catch approx. 30% of the viruses out 'in the wild'.

Most PC's are infected with some sort of malware, of which user's are totally unaware, and are unlikely to discover easily.

Downloading an image and burning it - means you have to be 100% certain, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the machine you are using is clean. Otherwise malware could modify the image, misreport the hash check, and you'd be 'none the wiser'.

If your machine is infected, it is unlikely to be your simple/average garden variety malware - as most peoples anti-virus suites can handle those. It's the more sophisticated - root-kit - type of malware that is gaining prevalence. Just the kind of stuff that modifies your system, whilst flying below the radar.

I want to use factory pressed original installation media. Guaranteed virgin OS install - when you do a time based cost/benefit analysis.

I am seeking an original windows 8.1 pro retail install dvd.

I would be most grateful to anyone that can help with this.

Leo

pappa_golf

in that case apart from the MICROSOFT website for your download , I suggest you BUY the disk from the link suggested by niftydigits.


PS:


keep your lead lined hat on as you answer the door to the postman , he might have a cold

NiftyDigits

leonardo wrote: »

Anti-virus programs catch only about 30% of the viruses out there 'in the wild'.

Most peoples PC's are infected with some sort of malware, of which they have no idea, and are unlikely to find out about easily.

Downloading an image and burning - means you have to be 100% certain, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the machine you are using is clean. Or malware can modify the image, and you will never know.

If your machine is infected, it is unlikely to be your simple/average garden variety malware - as most peoples anti-virus suites can handle those. It's the more sophisticated - root-kit - type of malware that is gaining prevalence. Just the kind of stuff that modifies your system, and flies below the radar.

Or alternatively, just use factory pressed original installation media. Guaranteed virgin OS install.

Overall. only one way to guarantee a time efficient initial install - get original O.S media - factory pressed.

I am seeking an original windows 8.1 pro retail install dvd.

I would be most grateful to anyone that can help with this.

No. We have hashes to ensure that the media remains true. But if you are paranoid, use the DELL media.

For example; The disc that you seek has a SHA1 hash of C99A6EC2DE4A71DEF522989D2242CB34AB860A0D
Representing the Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom) File Name: en_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_6051481.iso released by Microsoft.

So you can search using that hash and when you have located the image and have downloaded it, you can verify the image using a Hash Checker. Then you know that you have exactly the right image, bit for bit.

leonardo

Thank you for your reply NiftyDigits,

You seemed to have misunderstood me.

Malware author's (most likely rootkit level) would know that at some point, some users will be refreshing/reinstalling their OS if they become suspicious.

It would be simple to influence/take over the hash verification process - to provide a false positive against a subsequently infected iso file. It's still a file.

That's why on an infected system, any software of any kind cannot be trusted. They can all be hijacked/intercepted if the underlying system is compromised.

pappa_golf

I and others are not wearing leas covered hats , and are capable of looking after ourselves


you have been given a link that you can buy a disk from .


that's all folks ,,

NiftyDigits

leonardo wrote: »

Thank you for your reply NiftyDigits,

You seemed to have misunderstood me.

Malware author's (most likely rootkit level) would know that at some point, some users will be refreshing/reinstalling their OS if they become suspicious.

It would be simple to influence/take over the hash verification process - to provide a false positive against a subsequently infected iso file. It's still a file.

That's why on an infected system, any software of any kind cannot be trusted. They can all be hijacked/intercepted if the underlying system is compromised.

Your argument might make some sense were you not able to verify the image on another machine....or any amount of other machines.
You are suggesting that the Rootkit would be able to modify the Hash Checking software to display the correct hash of a hitherto unknown image.
In other words the Rootkit will have it own hash checking software which will be able to get the correct hash of the image, keep that in memory, then to modify the image and then somehow hack the output of your independent hash checking software, so that it displays the correct hash of the image....when in fact this clever Rootkit has both modified your image and your hash checking software in one fell swoop.
That being amazing in itself, it can then install itself on any other machine on which you place the image before the creation of installation media so that it can then do the same on that machine.
Of course there is no way that you can ensure that this amazing Rootkit is not also on the DELL reinstallation media, as this Rootkit is completely invisible and undetectable.

But this time you have no hash to check. You just have to assume that the disc is clean.

Put it this way...if what you are doing is so sensitive, don't use Windows.