Installing Windows 8.1 Pro from scratch

[Watrevir]

I have just built myself a new PC. I have a valid 8.1 Pro Product key, but no DVD (no optical drive either). I want to install Windows 8.1 Pro from a flash drive, but I can't seem to find any downloadable ISOs. I know Microsoft made the Windows 7 USB DVD Download Tool but I can't find anything similar for Windows 8.1. At the moment it looks like I'll have to install Windows 7 (which I have no product key for) and then upgrade to Windows 8, which is just ridiculous.

Any help?

 

[rchris]

Here you go...this should be everything you need:

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

 

[ihog]

Is your motherboard UEFI compatible? If not, I'm not sure if you can boot to the USB drive. But, here's what I did (after I've found an iso for Windows online), since I don't like Microsoft's method, due to there being problems with the Windows 7 USB boot tool:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

I'd give the link rchris provided a go, since Microsoft doesn't supply Windows 8 isos anymore. If it doesn't work, I'd try to find an iso online and follow the steps in the link I provided.

 

[Watrevir]

Is your motherboard UEFI compatible? If not, I'm not sure if you can boot to the USB drive. But, here's what I did (after I've found an iso for Windows online), since I don't like Microsoft's method, due to there being problems with the Windows 7 USB boot tool:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

I'd give the link rchris provided a go, since Microsoft doesn't supply Windows 8 isos anymore. If it doesn't work, I'd try to find an iso online and follow the steps in the link I provided.

I don't think it is UEFI compatible (ASUS M5A78l-M), but I'm trying the link rchris sent me just to be sure. I can't find any ISOs online after a long time searching, so the only other method I can think of is as I said before; installing Windows 7 and then upgrading through the OS.

The problem then is, can I upgrade through unactivated versions of Windows?

 

[rchris]

Is your motherboard UEFI compatible? If not, I'm not sure if you can boot to the USB drive. But, here's what I did (after I've found an iso for Windows online), since I don't like Microsoft's method, due to there being problems with the Windows 7 USB boot tool:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

I'd give the link rchris provided a go, since Microsoft doesn't supply Windows 8 isos anymore. If it doesn't work, I'd try to find an iso online and follow the steps in the link I provided.

I don't think it is UEFI compatible (ASUS M5A78l-M), but I'm trying the link rchris sent me just to be sure. I can't find any ISOs online after a long time searching, so the only other method I can think of is as I said before; installing Windows 7 and then upgrading through the OS.

The problem then is, can I upgrade through unactivated versions of Windows?

You said you had a valid key, so there should be no problem. The link I gave you will give you the media. If you save it as an ISO, then you can use any of the methods out there for making a bootable DVD or USB flash drive. Personally, I like the one here: http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/6800/tweaktown-s-ultimate-windows-ssd-performance-installation-guide/index.html

 

[Watrevir]

Is your motherboard UEFI compatible? If not, I'm not sure if you can boot to the USB drive. But, here's what I did (after I've found an iso for Windows online), since I don't like Microsoft's method, due to there being problems with the Windows 7 USB boot tool:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/15458-uefi-bootable-usb-flash-drive-create-windows.html

I'd give the link rchris provided a go, since Microsoft doesn't supply Windows 8 isos anymore. If it doesn't work, I'd try to find an iso online and follow the steps in the link I provided.

I don't think it is UEFI compatible (ASUS M5A78l-M), but I'm trying the link rchris sent me just to be sure. I can't find any ISOs online after a long time searching, so the only other method I can think of is as I said before; installing Windows 7 and then upgrading through the OS.

The problem then is, can I upgrade through unactivated versions of Windows?

You said you had a valid key, so there should be no problem. The link I gave you will give you the media. If you save it as an ISO, then you can use any of the methods out there for making a bootable DVD or USB flash drive. Personally, I like the one here: http://www.tweaktown.com/guides/6800/tweaktown-s-ultimate-windows-ssd-performance-installation-guide/index.html

The link you sent worked fine, no problems with the install. Thanks a lot!