The downloaded installation media is a relatively recent Windows version – Windows 8.1 with both major updates released in 2014.You can’t install a “trial version” with these files. You need a Windows 8 license to install Windows 8.

Try to use those built-in options before turning to the downloaded installation media. Among other things, that finally gives you the ability to remove your data from a computer before you recycle it or give it to someone. It can format the hard drive and give you the computer exactly the way it was when you bought it. (Search for “reset” on the Start screen and click on “Remove everything and reinstall Windows”, or look under PC Settings / Update & Recovery / Recovery.) A computer with Windows 8 has the original install files in a hidden partition. One of the most important improvements in Windows 8 is a single-click option to reset a PC back to its out-of-the-box condition.

Note that these images require quite a bit more space – at least an 8Gb USB stick for Surface RT and Surface 2, and a minimum 16Gb USB stick for Surface Pro 3. You can download installation images that include Windows 8 plus specialized drivers and programs for the different Surface versions. There is another download site specifically for Surface owners: Download a recovery image for your Surface. The combination of easy access to the installation media and the fast install time for Windows 8 makes it more tempting to blow out a balky computer and reinstall from scratch. I’ve got a collection of USB sticks for installing different versions of Windows 7. Until now it was difficult to reinstall Windows from scratch without that precious DVD that came in the box from Dell or HP, the one that you could never find. This seems like something that should have always existed but it’s actually new. ISO file on your hard drive that can later be used to create a bootable DVD. You’ll then choose to download the setup files directly to a USB drive (4Gb or larger), or to an. Choose the language, the version of Windows 8.1 that matches your license key, and the architecture – 32 bit or 64 bit. The download site is here: Create Installation Media For Windows 8.1. Now you won’t be stuck if you have to reinstall the OS from scratch for some reason and you can’t find the DVD that came with the system from the manufacturer. Microsoft has made it easy to download and create an install disk or USB drive for Windows 8.1.

Media creation tool windows 8