Windows 8.1 full version download

[Baloeb]

I'm building a new pc without an optical drive and would like to use the full version download for a clean install. I just want to double check here and make sure it will work before spending the money.

I've read that it gives you an exe that you open on a windows 7 pc. My wife has a laptop with 64 bit 7 on it. Would I be able to download it on her computer, put it on a USB and do a clean install on my pc?

 

[rhysiam]

I've always taken the option of downloading an ISO file.
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool

The instructions above state that you download the ISO file, then use the free tool (above) to create a bootable USB drive with the windows install on it. I've done it a couple of times now and it's worked just fine. You'll have to do all that on your wife's computer obviously.

 

[Baloeb]

According to that link it is for windows 7 only. I'm only interested in 8.1.

 

[photonboy]

*The above comments link MAY work but they had a link to a Windows 8 page so I wasn't certain. I know THIS one works for sure:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

Also, see if you can find the DVD for the same price or cheaper, because it's nice to have the official OEM disc. You can get it through pcpartpicker for $90 USD.
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615
To be clear, you want "Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM" not Windows 8 and definitely not 32-bit.

Other:
I use START8 from Stardock ($5) and disable the CHARMS BAR in desktop mode. You can also Google how to bypass the Login screen if desired to boot directly to the classic desktop (which has a Start Menu thanks to Start8).

I play around with the new interface but otherwise never really use it.

 

[rhysiam]

Yeah sorry, my bad. I thought I did check for the version, but not in the thread title :-( Doh.

This thread answers a similar question: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1763970/install-windows-optical-drive.html - can be useful if you have the DVD as Photonboy is suggesting.