How to install Windows 8 onto an empty hard drive?

[sam444]

I recently got a new internal hard drive for my laptop and I was wondering how I can install windows 8 onto it. My old hard drive broke and I (stupidly) didn't make a backup or recovery disc. The new hard drive is a Toshiba MQ01ABD100. My laptop with the old hard drive came preinstalled with windows 8 so I think the product key is embedded into BIOS. I'm wondering if I have to order a new copy of windows 8 or if I can download it online and make a disc. I ordered a recovery usb drive from toshiba, but that didn't work either. Also, I think if I bought a new copy it would be a retail version and not an OEM version of windows 8. Anyway, I'm not really sure what to do and this has been going on for almost 2 months now. Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

No, you can't install Windows to an external drive.

OK, for Win8 you can, but that requires Windows 8 Enterprise, and Win2Go. But you don't have that.

 

[sam444]

I'm sorry, I think I've been using the wrong terminology the whole time. It's the hard drive inside my laptop, not an external one outside my laptop.

 

[sam444]

I would really appreciate some help. I really don't want to buy a whole new laptop.

 

[USAFRet]

Without having made a recovery disk, I think your options are:

1. Obtain a recovery set from Toshiba.
2. Buy a new copy of Windows 8. OEM or retail makes no difference.

 

[sam444]

Thanks for responding! I ordered a Toshiba Recover Flash Drive USB, really hoping that would do the trick, but when I put it in my laptop and turn my laptop on, I still get the same message- "Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device." I've changed the boot order in BIOS to try to boot from the USB first. I guess if worst comes to worst I can just buy a new copy of windows 8. Is the USB recover flash drive the same as the recovery set? I really thought the usb would work.

 

[sam444]

Ok so I fixed the problem! I searched around some more and found out you have to change the boot mode in BIOS from UEFI to CSM and it will boot! Now it's recovering to the factory default. Hope things end well!

 

[pnolton45]

I recently got a new internal hard drive for my laptop and I was wondering how I can install windows 8 onto it. My old hard drive broke and I (stupidly) didn't make a backup or recovery disc. The new hard drive is a Toshiba MQ01ABD100. My laptop with the old hard drive came preinstalled with windows 8 so I think the product key is embedded into BIOS. I'm wondering if I have to order a new copy of windows 8 or if I can download it online and make a disc. I ordered a recovery usb drive from toshiba, but that didn't work either. Also, I think if I bought a new copy it would be a retail version and not an OEM version of windows 8. Anyway, I'm not really sure what to do and this has been going on for almost 2 months now. Thanks!