Previously Microsoft did not allowed publicly download the Windows 8.1 U1 iso file and create boot media, and if you had a computer running Windows 8 you basically had to use Windows store to download the upgrade to W 8.1. Now things has changed and it's possible to download and use Free Microsoft Utility for Download Windows 8.1 Setup ISO Or To Create Bootable USB Stick from which you can install Windows 8.1.
It can be useful for folks that want to do clean installation of Windows 8.1. This wasn't previously possible as the ISO wasn't publicly available (except via enterprise subscribtions). So users had to install Windows 8 and then via Windows store do an upgrade. Additionaly the ISO is actually Windows 8.1 Update 1 (slipstreamed with latest patches)
The utility provided by Microsoft allows the download and creation of bootable Windows 8.1 image for different OS types with a possibility to get x32 or x64 architecture. Here are the systems supported:
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8.1 Pro
- Windows 8.1 N
- Windows 8.1 Pro N
- Windows 8.1 Single Language
You will go to a Microsoft's page and download small utility called mediacreationtool.exe.
Execute it and it will bring following screen where you can specify:
- The language
- The Windows Edition
- The Architecture (x32 or x64)
The next screen gives you the option between USB stick or ISO file:
And that's all. Cannot be simpler.
Next screen invites you where you want to store the ISO file on your hard drive (or which USB you want to use to make it a bootable media). Click finish and the software start to download the ISO.
You can then burn it to a DVD to have a DVD media or create a bootable USB stick. For installation you'll need a serial number of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.
This utility includes Windows 8.1 Update 1!
Get your copy of the Official Utility to creation of Windows 8.1 Update 1 bootable USB or ISO from this page.
