Difference between Windows 8.1 free 64-bit ISO download, and paid Windows 8.1 64-bit disk?

[David005]

I would just like to know the difference between the free Windows 8.1 64-bit ISO download from Microsoft, and the Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM disk which costs about $80.00. Thanks.

 

[edcantu999]

subscribed

 

[jimpz]

The $80 dollars is for the key that comes with the disc, the iso down load is free, but you need the key to activate it, $$

 

[knight_of_baawa]

The fact that the $80 gets you the license key so you can have a genuine, legal copy of 8.1. The free ISO from Microsoft is the same as you'd get in the OEM copy, only no license key. It's used for reinstallation if you need one so long as you have a valid license key.

 

[USAFRet]

The difference is the actual license key. Which you must have.

The install media is trivial. You need a license key to actually activate it and use it.

 

[David005]

The $80 dollars is for the key that comes with the disc, the iso down load is free, but you need the key to activate it, $$

Well I have the $80.00 installation disk, but due to not having a disk drive I went ahead and installed the free version. Is there any way I can activate the $80.00 version through the free version I currently have installed? I have the license key if it matters.

 

[David005]

The fact that the $80 gets you the license key so you can have a genuine, legal copy of 8.1. The free ISO from Microsoft is the same as you'd get in the OEM copy, only no license key. It's used for reinstallation if you need one so long as you have a valid license key.

Well I have the $80.00 installation disk, but due to not having a disk drive I went ahead and installed the free version. Is there any way I can activate the $80.00 version through the free version I currently have installed? I have the license key if it matters.

 

[jimpz]

If that license is not in use AND the 2 windows are the same version, you can activate it w/ the key

 

[USAFRet]

The fact that the $80 gets you the license key so you can have a genuine, legal copy of 8.1. The free ISO from Microsoft is the same as you'd get in the OEM copy, only no license key. It's used for reinstallation if you need one so long as you have a valid license key.

Well I have the $80.00 installation disk, but due to not having a disk drive I went ahead and installed the free version. Is there any way I can activate the $80.00 version through the free version I currently have installed? I have the license key if it matters.

Open File Explorer
Right click on This PC, select Properties
At the bottom, it will give you the option of Activating it.
It should accept your license key.

(assuming you have the same version key as that which you downloaded from MS)

 

[David005]

If that license is not in use AND the 2 windows are the same version, you can activate it w/ the key

How do I know if they're compatible? I have the free Windows 8.1 Enterprise, along with the paid Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM installation disk.

Disk: http://www.outletpc.com/xk2782b-885370635690.html?utm_source=xk2782b-885370635690&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Microsoft%2B-%2BSoftware%20%2F%20OS%20%3E%20Microsoft%20Windows%208

Free ISO: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/products-and-technologies/windows-8-1/default.aspx

 

[USAFRet]

If that license is not in use AND the 2 windows are the same version, you can activate it w/ the key

How do I know if they're compatible? I have the free Windows 8.1 Enterprise, along with the paid Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM installation disk.

Disk: http://www.outletpc.com/xk2782b-885370635690.html?utm_source=xk2782b-885370635690&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Microsoft%2B-%2BSoftware%20%2F%20OS%20%3E%20Microsoft%20Windows%208

Free ISO: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/products-and-technologies/windows-8-1/default.aspx

That will not work. At all.
Win 8.1 Enterprise is a 90 day evaluation, for businesses to begin to integrate 8.1 into their enterprise.
You can't activate that with the regular 8.1 that you bought.

You have to do a full reinstall. There is no way around this.

 

[David005]

If that license is not in use AND the 2 windows are the same version, you can activate it w/ the key

How do I know if they're compatible? I have the free Windows 8.1 Enterprise, along with the paid Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM installation disk.

Disk: http://www.outletpc.com/xk2782b-885370635690.html?utm_source=xk2782b-885370635690&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Microsoft%2B-%2BSoftware%20%2F%20OS%20%3E%20Microsoft%20Windows%208

Free ISO: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/products-and-technologies/windows-8-1/default.aspx

That will not work. At all.
Win 8.1 Enterprise is a 90 day evaluation, for businesses to begin to integrate 8.1 into their enterprise.
You can't activate that with the regular 8.1 that you bought.

You have to do a full reinstall. There is no way around this.

What do I need to install? Should I just buy an external disk drive to install the installation disk?

 

[USAFRet]

If that license is not in use AND the 2 windows are the same version, you can activate it w/ the key

How do I know if they're compatible? I have the free Windows 8.1 Enterprise, along with the paid Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM installation disk.

Disk: http://www.outletpc.com/xk2782b-885370635690.html?utm_source=xk2782b-885370635690&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Microsoft%2B-%2BSoftware%20%2F%20OS%20%3E%20Microsoft%20Windows%208

Free ISO: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/products-and-technologies/windows-8-1/default.aspx

That will not work. At all.
Win 8.1 Enterprise is a 90 day evaluation, for businesses to begin to integrate 8.1 into their enterprise.
You can't activate that with the regular 8.1 that you bought.

You have to do a full reinstall. There is no way around this.

What do I need to install? Should I just buy an external disk drive to install the installation disk?

If you have access to another PC with a DVD drive, you can create a bootable USB from your Win 8.1 DVD
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool

 

[David005]

If that license is not in use AND the 2 windows are the same version, you can activate it w/ the key

How do I know if they're compatible? I have the free Windows 8.1 Enterprise, along with the paid Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM installation disk.

Disk: http://www.outletpc.com/xk2782b-885370635690.html?utm_source=xk2782b-885370635690&utm_medium=shopping%2Bengine&utm_campaign=pcpartpicker&utm_content=Microsoft%2B-%2BSoftware%20%2F%20OS%20%3E%20Microsoft%20Windows%208

Free ISO: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/products-and-technologies/windows-8-1/default.aspx

That will not work. At all.
Win 8.1 Enterprise is a 90 day evaluation, for businesses to begin to integrate 8.1 into their enterprise.
You can't activate that with the regular 8.1 that you bought.

You have to do a full reinstall. There is no way around this.

What do I need to install? Should I just buy an external disk drive to install the installation disk?

If you have access to another PC with a DVD drive, you can create a bootable USB from your Win 8.1 DVD
Windows USB/DVD Download Tool

But how would I get the correct ISO file on the download tool which is meant for my version of Windows 8.1?

 

[USAFRet]

But how would I get the correct ISO file on the download tool which is meant for my version of Windows 8.1?

Assuming:
1. You have a DVD with the Win 8.1 on it (Not the Enterprise version)
2. You have access to another PC with a DVD drive

Put the disk in the other PC
Use something (IMGBurn or similar) to create an ISO of that DVD
Use the above mentioned MS tool to create the bootable USB stick
Put that in the PC in question and install.

 

[David005]

But how would I get the correct ISO file on the download tool which is meant for my version of Windows 8.1?

Assuming:
1. You have a DVD with the Win 8.1 on it (Not the Enterprise version)
2. You have access to another PC with a DVD drive

Put the disk in the other PC
Use something (IMGBurn or similar) to create an ISO of that DVD
Use the above mentioned MS tool to create the bootable USB stick
Put that in the PC in question and install.

Would I then need to enter the license key?

 

[USAFRet]

But how would I get the correct ISO file on the download tool which is meant for my version of Windows 8.1?

Assuming:
1. You have a DVD with the Win 8.1 on it (Not the Enterprise version)
2. You have access to another PC with a DVD drive

Put the disk in the other PC
Use something (IMGBurn or similar) to create an ISO of that DVD
Use the above mentioned MS tool to create the bootable USB stick
Put that in the PC in question and install.

Would I then need to enter the license key?

During the install from the USB stick onto the PC, it will ask for/require the license key.

 

[David005]

But how would I get the correct ISO file on the download tool which is meant for my version of Windows 8.1?

Assuming:
1. You have a DVD with the Win 8.1 on it (Not the Enterprise version)
2. You have access to another PC with a DVD drive

Put the disk in the other PC
Use something (IMGBurn or similar) to create an ISO of that DVD
Use the above mentioned MS tool to create the bootable USB stick
Put that in the PC in question and install.

Would I then need to enter the license key?

During the install from the USB stick onto the PC, it will ask for/require the license key.

I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot.

 

[USAFRet]

I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot.

Good luck.
Report back if any problems.

 

[David005]

I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot.

Good luck.
Report back if any problems.

Ok, I guess I have one more question. How do I uninstall the free version of Windows 8.1 Enterprise I currently have installed.

 

[USAFRet]

I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot.

Good luck.
Report back if any problems.

Ok, I guess I have one more question. How do I uninstall the free version of Windows 8.1 Enterprise I currently have installed.

See your other thread...

 

[David005]

I really appreciate the help. Thanks a lot.

Good luck.
Report back if any problems.

Ok, I guess I have one more question. How do I uninstall the free version of Windows 8.1 Enterprise I currently have installed.

See your other thread...

If you would be so kind to check out my latest thread I would gladly appreciate it 😉