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Update 7/19/2021: Windows 8.1 is long outdated, only technically supported through 2023.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

If you are even so using Microsoft Windows 8.1, we recommend y'all at least begin because what OS you will use in the future. It'south mid-2021 and Win viii.ane will shuffle off the mortal coil in Jan 2023. You can stillqualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 if you own a valid Windows 8.1 license, despite the fact that Microsoft formally concluded its upgrade program v years ago. Additionally, Windows 10 has the same arrangement requirements as Windows 8.i, then if yous can run the latter, you can also run the former.

Even though Windows xi has been appear, upgrading to Windows ten has several advantages. Outset, Windows 11 may not support your hardware if it'south old enough to however exist running Windows 8 or Windows 8.i. Windows ten, on the other mitt, was compatible with nearly everything Windows viii.one would run on. Windows x will also be supported through 2025, which gives you an extra two full years of support before needing to figure out an culling solution.

If yous are somehow yet stuck on Windows viii.0 and exercise not desire to become to the hassle of a full OS swap, we recommend running Windows Update immediately and downloading all available patches for your arrangement, including the Windows 8.one update, which will likely be offered to you past default. If yous want to download just the Windows 8.1 update files, you can practise so here.

Original story below, from 2013:

Windows 8.1 has been released. If you're using Windows eight, upgrading to Windows eight.ane is both easy and complimentary. If yous're using another operating system (Windows seven, Windows XP, Bone X), you can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows 8.1 Pro), or opt for 1 of the free methods listed beneath. To download and install Windows 8.one for gratis, follow the guide below.

How to download Windows viii.1 for free

Windows 8.1 boxIf you don't want to wait for Oct 17 or 18, there are two options for downloading Windows viii.1: You tin obtain a copy (and a license cardinal) 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 8.ane RTM from non-official sources, we volition at least tell you to check the SHA-1 hash of the ISO that you download to make certain that it'due south legitimate. If y'all striking up the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and and so click Details under the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, yous'll observe the SHA-1 hash. If yous then utilise File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) on the ISO, the hash should match. If it doesn't, presume the ISO has been compromised and download another. (But do brand certain that y'all're checking the right SHA-i hash on the MSDN website; your ISO might be mislabeled).

The other easier, and completely legal, selection is to download the Windows 8.1 Preview from Microsoft. Information technology'south not as snappy as the terminal (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Bear in mind that if y'all go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8.1 will require a few more steps (discussed in the next department).

How to install Windows eight.ane for complimentary

Once you lot have the Windows 8.ane ISO on your hard drive, the installation process is painless. Before you brainstorm, yous should consider bankroll upward your important files and documents, merely information technology'south not really necessary. Yous should also ensure that you have plenty of free hard drive infinite (20GB+).

Windows 8.1 setup processIf y'all're already running Windows eight and y'all downloaded the RTM ISO from somewhere other than the Windows Shop, you can install Windows viii.1 by mounting the downloaded ISO in Explorer by double-clicking it, and then running the installer. If yous're on Windows 7, XP, or (bless your soul) Vista, you'll need to burn the ISO to a USB thumb bulldoze or DVD, or mount the ISO using a third-political party virtual bulldoze tool, like Magic ISO.

If you lot already accept Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8.1 is as simple as visiting the Windows Store and downloading the gratis update.

In both these cases, the upgrade procedure should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If yous upgrade from Windows viii.1 Preview, yet, y'all will lose your installed apps, unless you showtime run a cversion.ini removal utility.

Once you've installed Windows eight.ane, y'all should bank check out our all-encompassing collection of Windows 8.1 tips and tricks, and exist certain to check our Windows 8.1 review and hands-on impressions to ensure that you're making the nigh of all the new features.

Now Read:

  • Windows 10 Is 5 Years One-time 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 data.