How to download Windows 8.1 ISO using Windows 8 product key (update)

Download Windows 8.1 ISO file

This is an epic trick! Apparently there is a workaround to download the Windows 8.1 ISO  from the Microsoft servers using your Windows 8 product key — Yes, even the upgrade key works with this method.

Why is this is a good news? Because Microsoft has recently announced that the only way to update to Windows 8.1 is via the Windows Store and it won’t be making available an ISO file to the public, only for TechNet and MSDN subscribers. And let’s say you had a small business with 20 PCs, you’ll literally have to manually update each computer using the Store, downloading the installation files of about 3.5GB 20 times — now you’ll only have to do it once.

Instructions

Follow these steps to the image file:

1. Head over to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

2. Scroll down and click Install Windows 8 (This will trigger the download for the setup assistant).

3. Launch the installer and enter your Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Upgrade product key, confirm that you will be downloading the bits for the version you paid for.

Note: Keep in mind that this workaround only works with retail versions of the OS and not with OEM copies.

Downloading Windows 8 first

4. As soon as starts downloading, close the installer assistant from the (X) in the top-right corner.

5. Go back to the Microsoft Windows upgrade page, click Install Windows 8.1, and download the Windows 8.1 Setup assistant.

6. Now like if it was magic, you’ll see that Windows 8.1 starts downloading… (For those non-believers I tested by letting the first download go to 5%, then I switched to the 8.1 download and it started again from 0%.)

Download Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 key

7. When the download completes, you can choose to install the OS right-then, or you can choose to the option: Install by creating media. (This option will allow you to create a bootable media.)

pit2013-1019202158

8. Choose to create a USB flash drive or ISO file, and click Next to finish.

pit2013-1019202205

Even better this will also solve the “Insert Media: Some files are missing…” issue while using Refresh your PC or Remove everything in Windows 8.1.

Kudos to Nazmus Khandaker for publishing this helpful tip that he found in the Microsoft forums.

Proof!

win-6.3.9600.16384 Windows 8.1 installer

Update: Here are a few tips you can try, if Windows 8.1 isn’t taking your Windows 8 retail key.

Update: I created a video to make a bit easier to understand how the download works.

Update: For those who downloaded Windows 8.1 official ISO and can’t install it with the Windows 8 retail product key. This guide will tell you all the steps to bypass the product key and delay the Windows activation for up to 30 days.

Update: Microsoft is now letting anyone to download the official ISO file for Windows 8.1 or to create an USB flash drive, and you don’t need a product key. Though, you’ll need a product key to do a clean install, but not when doing an upgrade.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.