Ask a new question

Download a bootable Windows 8(.1) Disc.

Technical Level : Intermediate

Summary
When you don’t have an installation disc of Windows 8.1 it might be very difficult to reach the Advanced Startup Option, this Wiki will guide you through the process of downloading and burning a copy of Windows 8.1.
Details

Requirements

You need a Retail Windows 8.1 key (OEM Keys will not work) and a working computer to be able to download and burn the disc. For making a repair solution if you’re using an OEM system please see this Wiki: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows8_1-system/advanced-repair-tools-create-a-usb-recovery-drive/1a3ad051-1796-4238-89d8-8705e9128e24


Due to the popularity of this Wiki, I've also made a video instruction, which follows this guide, but you can real-time see all steps 

http://www.youtu.com/GLHAd4nIYh8


Important Information:

  • You cannot use a Windows 8 Retail key to download Windows 8.1, not even if you have upgraded from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 You will have to download the application for downloading Windows 8.
  • You cannot download Windows 8.1 or 8 64 bits on a 32 bits computer or the other way around, it will always download the same architecture of your current system

Step 1


Step 2

Start the downloaded application, and enter your product key at the first screen and then press Next

Image



Step 3

 You will see a Window displaying the Windows version that you can download using your product key, verify this is correct and press Next

Image




Step 4

The installer will start download Windows 8(.1) this could take some time, wait for this process to complete.



Image




Step 5

Select the option “Install by creating media” 

Image




Step 6

You can now choose for either an USB drive or making an ISO. If you wish to make an USB drive, select it and click on continue, then follow the instructions on the screen. If you wish to make a ISO then continue reading.



Select ISO File and click on Save



Image




Step 7

Save the file to a location on your drive and remember the location, after saving it. Then go to the directory where you saved the ISO or you can click on Open DVD Burner and skip to step 9.




Image



Step 8

Right click on the ISO you just saved and select Burn disc image




Image




Step 9

Insert a blank recordable disc in your burner and click on Burn. (The instructions on the screen will help you further.)




Image



Your disc is now successfully created, you can now use this disc to reinstall Windows or to repair a damaged Windows installation.



How to boot from the disc

First, ensure you BIOS is set to boot from a DVD device, then put the Windows 8(.1) disc in your system and press on a random key when this message appears




Image




The instructions on the screen will help you further through the process.



Hope this wiki has successfully showed you how to create a bootable Windows 8(.1) disc. 

Yuri Pustjens.

Interested in reading more? WindowsInstructed

935 people found this helpful

Was this article helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this article?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this article?

Thanks for your feedback.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

Worked perfectly to create a restore DVD.

5 people found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

I purchased WINDOWS 8 Pro which was later upgraded free to Windows 8.1 Pro. After some time Media center was also offerred for free by Microsoft which was accepted, installed and activated on my PC. Now when I try to refresh my PC I get a message to insert media. Since I have only original DVD of Windows 8, I insert it. However it is rejected as invalid. Inspired by your above instructions I tried to create a bootable DVD of Windows 8.1 but when I insert product code of either original Windows 8 pro or of windows 8.1 Pro media center edition they are also rejected as invalid. Kindly let me know what mistake I am committing. Thanks

35 people found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Very helpful.  This was totally accurate to the step - thanks!

1 person found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Can i download this WIndows 8.1 software and do a clean install?

My product key checked out to be ok.

1 person found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Can i download this WIndows 8.1 software and do a clean install?

My product key checked out to be ok.

Yes, You should be able to do that :) 

2014-2019 MVP Windows Experience | windowsinstructed.com

1 person found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

The article was quite easy to follow from start to about the point of actually getting the Data on the disc. Point is this: At step seven the default on this Dell wentto"open dvd burner". Then the rightclick did not quite go as stated.Since I am not totally a novice as to how to get around on a computer, I was able to get  the burning done. Otherwise, this is a piece of cake.

Thank you.

THIS IS MY WIFE'S COMPUTER. THUS THE NAME "Glorine Jeremiah".

MY NAME IS DAVID BRYANT AND THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS AS STATED,

*** Email address is removed for privacy ***

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

I am running a 32bit Windows 7 on Boot Camp and willing to do a clean install of Windows 8.1. However, I cannot download install ISO since the assistant simply says my computer cannot install. What should I do now?

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Please recall my problem cited on 2 June 2014 which I reproduce below.

    

    "I purchased WINDOWS 8 Pro which was later upgraded free to Windows 8.1 Pro. After some time Media center was also offerred for free by Microsoft which was accepted, installed and activated on my PC. Now when I try to refresh my PC I get a message to insert media. Since I have only original DVD of Windows 8, I insert it. However it is rejected as invalid. Inspired by your above instructions I tried to create a bootable DVD of Windows 8.1 but when I insert product code of either original Windows 8 pro or of windows 8.1 Pro media center edition they are also rejected as invalid. Kindly let me know what mistake I am committing. Thanks"

Is there any solution to my problem? Please help if possible.

1 person found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

IMPORTANT:

If you are doing a clean install and you want 64 bit you need to make your boot media on a 64 bit windows PC and same goes for 32 bit.  At no point during the Windows 8 installation process will you be prompted to select 32/64 bit (dumb, right).  If you call for help they will tell you that your only option is to purchase back-up media from them (they do not let you directly download the appropriate ISO from their webpage).  This is indeed false, you need to find a friend with a 64 bit computer or go to library or school.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/create-64-bit-bootable-windows-8-usb-drive-on-32/8a3637af-7062-4436-8585-3fe48d2a8b72

Microsoft please allow us to choose which ISO we want to install and also be able to download from a Mac?  Why all the red tape?  I thought you wanted people to upgrade to windows 8?

1 person found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks.

2 people found this comment helpful

·

Was this comment helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this comment?

Thanks for your feedback.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

* Please try a lower page number.

* Please enter only numbers.

 
 

Forum Article Info

Last updated April 20, 2025 Views 322,792 Applies to: