This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this folio. Terms of use.

Update 7/19/2021: Windows 8.1 is long outdated, but technically supported through 2023. If you need to download an ISO to reinstall the full version of the operating system, y'all can download i from Microsoft here.

If you are all the same using Microsoft Windows 8.1, nosotros recommend you at to the lowest degree brainstorm because what Bone you will use in the time to come. It's mid-2021 and Win eight.1 will shuffle off the mortal scroll in January 2023. You can stillqualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 if you own a valid Windows viii.1 license, despite the fact that Microsoft formally ended its upgrade programme v years ago. Additionally, Windows ten has the same system requirements as Windows 8.1, so if you can run the latter, you lot can too run the erstwhile.

Even though Windows eleven has been appear, upgrading to Windows 10 has several advantages. First, Windows 11 may non support your hardware if it's onetime enough to still be running Windows eight or Windows 8.1. Windows 10, on the other hand, was compatible with nearly everything Windows eight.1 would run on. Windows ten will also exist supported through 2025, which gives you an extra two full years of support before needing to figure out an culling solution.

If you are somehow withal stuck on Windows eight.0 and do not desire to go to the hassle of a full Os swap, we recommend running Windows Update immediately and downloading all bachelor patches for your system, including the Windows viii.1 update, which volition likely be offered to you by default. If you lot desire to download just the Windows eight.one update files, you tin can do so here.

Original story below, from 2013:

Windows 8.1 has been released. If you lot're using Windows 8, upgrading to Windows viii.1 is both like shooting fish in a barrel and free. If you're using another operating organization (Windows vii, Windows XP, Bone X), you can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows 8.ane Pro), or opt for ane of the free methods listed below. To download and install Windows 8.1 for free, follow the guide below.

How to download Windows eight.one for free

Windows 8.1 boxIf you don't want to wait for October 17 or 18, there are two options for downloading Windows eight.ane: You tin can obtain a copy (and a license key) from a friend/colleague with an MSDN, TechNet, or DreamSpark (student) subscription, or you tin can download a Windows eight.1 RTM ISO from your favorite file-sharing website (The Pirate Bay, Mega, etc.)

While we're not going to write a guide on how to obtain Windows viii.1 RTM from non-official sources, we will at least tell you to check the SHA-one hash of the ISO that you lot download to make certain that it'southward legitimate. If you hit upwardly the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and then click Details nether the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, you'll find the SHA-1 hash. If you and so utilise File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) on the ISO, the hash should match. If it doesn't, assume the ISO has been compromised and download another. (But exercise make sure that you lot're checking the right SHA-1 hash on the MSDN website; your ISO might be mislabeled).

The other easier, and completely legal, option is to download the Windows eight.1 Preview from Microsoft. It's not as snappy equally the final (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Bear in mind that if you get downward this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8.one will crave a few more steps (discussed in the side by side department).

How to install Windows 8.i for free

Once you have the Windows 8.1 ISO on your hard bulldoze, the installation process is painless. Before you brainstorm, y'all should consider backing up your important files and documents, but it's not really necessary. You should also ensure that you lot have enough of costless hard drive space (20GB+).

Windows 8.1 setup processIf you're already running Windows 8 and y'all downloaded the RTM ISO from somewhere other than the Windows Shop, y'all tin can install Windows 8.1 by mounting the downloaded ISO in Explorer by double-clicking it, and then running the installer. If you're on Windows vii, XP, or (bless your soul) Vista, you'll need to burn the ISO to a USB thumb drive or DVD, or mount the ISO using a third-party virtual bulldoze tool, similar Magic ISO.

If you already have Windows 8, and you lot waited for the official release date, installing Windows viii.one is equally simple every bit visiting the Windows Store and downloading the free update.

In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very polish, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If y'all upgrade from Windows eight.1 Preview, nevertheless, you volition lose your installed apps, unless you lot outset run a cversion.ini removal utility.

Once you lot've installed Windows viii.1, you should check out our extensive collection of Windows eight.1 tips and tricks, and exist sure to check our Windows 8.1 review and easily-on impressions to ensure that y'all're making the most of all the new features.

At present Read:

  • Windows 10 Is 5 Years Old Today
  • Microsoft May Stream Win32 Apps to Windows 10X from the Cloud
  • Microsoft Working to Sunset Windows Control Panel

Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information.