How to create or download a Windows 8 and 8.1 ISO

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I have not personally tried this, but the following link provides what SEEMS to be a way to get a Windows 8.1 ISO for your specific product key Please correct me if a I wrong about this as I do not want to mislead anyone.) Either way, make a full system image of your present setup BEFORE you try this:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-upgrade-iso-download-create.html

The link offers two Options:

Option 1: To Download a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO File from Microsoft

Option 2: To Create a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO File from “C:ESDWindows” Folder

:huh:

_______________________________

Note also, that the following “interesting” method of getting the ISO file was posted here:
http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html

I quote:

“This will allow you to download the official Windows 8.1 ISO from Microsoft.
What you do with it there after is up to you.

Note that Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 is done (as far as i know) via the Windows App Store. This i find annoying as i like many of you like to perform clean installs.

My senario went like this…

I upgrade my Windows 8 to 8.1 via the store, i did this thinking that i could ‘Reset’ my PC and thus get a clean install while maintaining the activation etc.

That did not go to plan. I received an error after clicking on the ‘Reset’ informing me that there are missing files, please insert media (or something like that).

Well guess what… i don’t have the media.

So i go download the Windows 8.1 Setup and try, to no avail, to enter my Windows 8 product key.

Follow these steps to download the Windows 8.1 ISO.

1.Go here Upgrade Windows with only a product key – Microsoft Windows Help scroll down and click on both ‘Install Windows 8’ and ‘Install Windows 8.1’
2.Run the Windows 8 setup and enter your retail Windows 8 key, click next and when i begins downloading, STOP it! Exit setup.
3.Now run the the Windows 8.1 setup. It will produce and error. Exit and then run Windows 8.1 setup again.
4.It should now be downloading the Windows 8.1 ISO. Afterwards you can save it as an ISO or create the USB media immediately.

You can use this to ‘Reset’ your PC by booting into setup and choosing repair my PC. Follow the on screen prompts for resetting your PC.”

My comment: I am not sure that this will work for a CLEAN install!! (A believe a new Product key would be required(?))

My Rig: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core CPU; ASUS Cross Hair VIII Formula Mobo; Win 11 Pro (64 bit)-(UEFI-booted); 32GB RAM; 2TB Corsair Force Series MP600 Pro 2TB PCIe Gen 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD. 1TB SAMSUNG 960 EVO M.2 NVME SSD; MSI GeForce RTX 3090 VENTUS 3X 24G OC; Microsoft 365 Home; Condusiv SSDKeeper Professional; Acronis Cyberprotect, VMWare Workstation Pro V17.5. HP 1TB USB SSD External Backup Drive). Dell G-Sync G3223Q 144Hz Monitor.

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In my case, I will save the DVD and just create an Image of my new Win 8.1 OS on both my PC and my wife’s PC. I saved these Images directly to my Ext. USB HD in the same folders as the last Win 8 Images. In our case the upgrade worked flawlessly so I do not have the need to do a clean install. This is the first time I have followed this route, and so far it has worked very well.

This info may help someone not as fortunate as us who is having problems with the upgrade. Thank for this.

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I have read the article from W8 Forums (but am somewhat confused by it); and found in my C drive the folder referred to in the article – ESD/Windows.
It is 2.6 GB and includes a file – setup.exe (76.9 KB).
It appeared there after I had downloaded and installed W8.1 from Windows Store.
Will clicking on the setup.exe file result in the installation program running, and could this be burnt this to a disk?

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n update on my earlier post. I have just looked at the date of this file. It is for last year so must be for the earlier version of W8, not W8.1.

Sorry not to have seen this earlier.

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where can i buy product key for windows 8.1?

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This question was answered in another thread where you asked the same question.

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Here is an alternative way to download a Windows 8.1 ISO:

http://www.neowin.net/news/here-is-how-to-get-the-windows-81-iso-and-create-a-usb-install-stick

It’s said to work even with a Windows 8 upgrade key.

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Rui,

I just tried this and it worked like a charm…if only 8.1 would! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Rui,

I just tried this and it worked like a charm…if only 8.1 would! :cheers:

Glad it worked :).

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For some of us, at least me anyway, it will not except my product key.
Even off line with the ESD file present.

I’ve been reading somewhere where the product key won’t be excepted
and that a dummy key from MS is needed. Don’t know if there is any truth in that.

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CLiNT,

I used the one from my $39.95 Win8Pro Upgrade. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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CLiNT,

I used the one from my $39.95 Win8Pro Upgrade. :cheers:

Same here!

Rich

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I seem to have two [??]
One is on the box of the disk I ordered, and one I found with NirSoft’s Produkey, form within my installed W8 OS.
I’m not quite sure what to make of it. I’ve tried them both though, and they’re a no go with each.
I’m quite certain that I’ve used the disk to install from, so I don’t know why Produkey would give me a different one.

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I seem to have two [??]
One is on the box of the disk I ordered, and one I found with NirSoft’s Produkey, form within my installed W8 OS.
I’m not quite sure what to make of it. I’ve tried them both though, and they’re a no go with each.
I’m quite certain that I’ve used the disk to install from, so I don’t know why Produkey would give me a different one.

CLiNT,

According to ProduKey I also have 2 different keys.
1. The one I got with my Upgrade.
2. The one ProduKey shows.

I’m going to take a guess here but the one shown by ProduKey may be the one built into the Secure Boot system. However, that should only be Win 8 standard that came w/the machine but it shows as Pro. Maybe after entering the Upgrade key to activate Pro it reverts to the one in the SB system? :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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It only worked with a retail Product Key here, not OEM.

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The disk I have is a Windows 8 Pro, which contains both 32 and 64 bit installation disks.

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Could one key be the Win 8 key from the Upgrade or retail, and the second be the new key from the Media Center add-on? Once the Media Center has been added, I believe the key received with it becomes the official Win 8 key does it not?

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Could one key be the Win 8 key from the Upgrade or retail, and the second be the new key from the Media Center add-on? Once the Media Center has been added, I believe the key received with it becomes the official Win 8 key does it not?

Nope: Doesn’t match the Media Center key either! I’m sticking with my theory that it’s the one embedded in the secure boot system. There was NO MS sticker on this new machine that came w/Win 8 Standard installed. I’ve since upgraded to Win 8 Pro and Media Center using the keys each came with but that’s not what Produkey reports! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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M$ shoots themselves in the foot again!

1. Apparently a Win 8.0 product Key will NOT activate a Win 8.1 clean install even though Win 8.1 is a free upgrade to Win 8.0.

2. Upgrading from Win 7 to Win 8.0 preserves most settings and programs. Going from 8.0 to 8.1 via the Store does the same thing. But, going from Win 7 to Win 8.1 does not.

How are these 2 conditions going to stimulate business users to upgrade? Even as a home user this makes no sense.

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M$ shoots themselves in the foot again!

… and again and again.

1. Apparently a Win 8.0 product Key will NOT activate a Win 8.1 clean install even though Win 8.1 is a free upgrade to Win 8.0.

2. Upgrading from Win 7 to Win 8.0 preserves most settings and programs. Going from 8.0 to 8.1 via the Store does the same thing. But, going from Win 7 to Win 8.1 does not.

How are these 2 conditions going to stimulate business users to upgrade? Even as a home user this makes no sense.

Agreed.

At least big business get an ISO to download for win 8.1 though.

Can anyone hazard a guess as to WHY there’s no easy Win 8.1 DVD/USB installation ISO download for consumers like there was for Win 8.0? (without start/stop/start nonsense)

Bruce

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… and again and again.

Agreed.

At least big business get an ISO to download for win 8.1 though.

Can anyone hazard a guess as to WHY there’s no easy Win 8.1 DVD/USB installation ISO download for consumers like there was for Win 8.0? (without start/stop/start nonsense)

Bruce

They didn’t think it through enough?

I have seen Microsoft receiving compliments for getting out a new version a year after 8.0. I honestly fail to see why so much time was needed to change just a few visible things in the OS… and let’s not talk about the many issues with the upgrade process and the inability for users who have upgraded through the store to perform refreshes from now on, etc. Really doesn’t seem such a well organized upgrade.

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Belarc Advisor (free) will display both the Product ID and the Product Key. When it’s done analyzing your system and brings the html page, click on the “Software Licenses” link on the left and then look for the line that starts with “Microsoft – Windows”, similar to these:

Microsoft – Windows 8.1 Professional 00345-12345-12345-AB345 (Key: A12BC-DEF3GH-IJKL4-MNOP5-QR6S7)
Microsoft – Windows 7.0 Ultimate 00345-OEM-1234567-12345 (Key: A12BC-DEF3GH-IJKL4-MNOP5-QR6S7)

The Product ID is 20 letters and numbers and the Product Key has 25. The Product ID is what you see displayed in the System and PC Info screens. The Product Key is the one you used to find on a Windows Sticker on the bottom or back of Windows Computers and type in to activate Windows.

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When I used Magic Jellybean it gave me a product key and said it was tied to a CD key it also gave. I suspect Microsoft’s motivation for all this is to further combat piracy.

Jerry

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When I used Magic Jellybean it gave me a product key and said it was tied to a CD key it also gave. I suspect Microsoft’s motivation for all this is to further combat piracy.

Jerry

To combat piracy AND forcefully direct users to use the Windows store, I suspect.

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Give Belarc a try? (It’s free).

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I clearly have the ESD file but cannot get the converter to recognize it;
35203-Untitled1
(this converter was from the Windows 8.1 tut on creating an ISO)

The location of the ESD file upon download of 8.1 is also notably variable on different machines.

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I clearly have the ESD file but cannot get the converter to recognize it.

Should we take that to mean that you did finally get it to download?

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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S.D.,

Here’s my testing Results:

Speecy, ProduKey & Magic Jellybean Finder all report the Key that I suspected of coming w/the Secure Boot system on the new machine.

BelArc Advisor reported the key I received with my Win 8.0 Pro Upgrade.

Nobody reported the key I received with the Free Media Center download.

What I found interesting is what Magic Jellybean Finder reported:

Windows 8 Pro
Product Part No.: res-v1781
Installed from ‘Compliance Checked Product’ media.
Product ID: 00178-11197-21867-AB090 match to CD Key data
CD Key: QGMFTH————66BPWXV
Computer Name: DELLXPS8700
Registered Owner: Me
Registered Organization:

I think this is some evidence for my theory…Yes?

HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I think this is some evidence for my theory…Yes?

HTH :cheers:

I agree with your theory, Bruce, but I don’t know if CLiNT is using a new machine that came with Windows 8 OEM installed. If he isn’t using a new machine, your theory doesn’t connect with his difficulties.

I used Rui‘s link, followed the instructions, and 8.1 is currently downloading. Once the download completes, I’ll see if I can create the ISO and burn it to DVD. My desktop PC is pre-UEFI. I used the Product Key that was emailed to me from MS for the $39.99 8 Pro Upgrade.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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No, my computer is not an OEM. It’s home built with a copy of Windows 7 originally.
It’s also 100% BIOS (X58 board) and therefore no secure boot.

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I downloaded Windows 8.1 from the store and have managed to preserve the contents of the folder where the ESD file resides.
The issue is Twofold;
1. I cannot make an ISO out of the ESD file.
2. I cannot plug a product key into any of the installers to effect an offline choice of “creating media” from the ESD file & folder contents.

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My Product Key got rejected at first, but I misread a “B” as an “8” in the font MS uses. Apparently your issue isn’t that simple.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Download complete and ISO created. After the ISO was finished the last dialogue box (the one with the “Finish” button) listed the file as 8.1 Pro with the Product Key from my 8 Pro Upgrade prominently displayed.

I’ll burn the ISO to DVD, and when I have time I’ll see if I can use it to do an Upgrade/Clean Install like the 8 Pro Upgrade supported (with an existing Windows installation on the PC).

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Hey Y’all,

I tried to upgrade using the downloaded .iso file today. It would not accept my Product Key. Not the one from the Win 8 upgrade I used to download it nor the Win 8 key that came with the computer. In the process of verifying the keys I found that the Magic Jelly Bean Key Finder returns an incorrect key. The last 10 digits are correct but not the first 15. Belarc returns the correct Win 8 Pro upgrade key. Speecy returns the original Win 8.0 standard product key embedded in the computer. It looks like a case of trust but verify as the information these utilities return may be correct, partially correct or flat out wrong. I’m not sure what to do next but it may be a call to MS. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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How to: Retrieve Windows 8 License Key from BIOS[/url]

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SD,

Thanks for the link. However, I now have a new key that hasn’t shown up before! :confused: If this is the key that came with the machine and I use it to upgrade will my Win 8.1 be Standard (came w/the machine) or Pro as it now is with Win 8.0?

Guess I’ll have to give it a try and see what happens. Thank heavens for Macrium Reflect! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Hey Y’all,

Still a no go! The new key wouldn’t work with the .iso file either. It’s starting to look like the Windows Store or nothing! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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How to download the Windows 8.1 ISO using a legitimate retail Windows 8 product key

[*]Go to this Microsoft site “Upgrade Windows with only a product key” and download the Windows 8 (not 8.1) installer. (It’s small).

[*]When the download is complete, launch the Windows 8 installer and enter a legimate retail Windows 8 product key when prompted to do so.

[*]When the download of Windows 8 begins, wait until it reaches 1%, click the [Pause] button and then e[X]it the installer. (Do not simply quit the installer).

[*]Back on the same Microsoft site, (in Step 1 above), download the Windows 8.1 installer this time. (It’s also small).

[*]When the download is complete, launch the Windows 8.1 installer and you’ll see a screen telling you that the “Download did not complete successfully” along with an “Element not found” error. This is normal. E[X]it the installer.

[*]Re-launch the same Windows 8.1 installer and this time the Windows 8.1 ISO will start downloading.

[*]When the download is complete, select “Install by creating media” > click [Next] > select “ISO file” > click [Save] > select a location on your hard drive > give it a filename (such as “Windows_8.1.ISO”) > click [Save] then [Finish].

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Thanks, again, SpywareDr,

I tried this once on my main machine and it didn’t work — there must be some internal temporary storage for the dl material; both the 8 & 8.1 setup routines produced the same ISO image. I tried a second time on my laptop system, and it worked just fine there, just be sure to follow the directions closely, and don’t do any renaming of the ISO image file until everything is done. Now to get 8.1 up and running in VMware Player…

Regards,

DVHirst

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SD,

Downloading Now. However, I did not get the error message in Step 5! I also think this is the same procedure I used the 1st time except for the waiting for the 1% indicator. I’ll report back in about 30 minutes. :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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However, I did not get the error message in Step 5!

Hmmm, makes you wonder if Microsoft has altered something in the Windows 8.1 installer that was linked to on that page.

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The new copy of the installer worked…just like the last copy…will not accept license key! :angry: :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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:confused: It worked here. Are you sure you’re using a legitimate retail Windows 8 product key? (It won’t work with OEM. Tried it, twice).

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SD,

Yes I’m using the Win 8 Upgrade purchased from MS directly. The Key allows me to do the download it just won’t allow me to do the install! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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3 At the time of the installation you might get stuck in the setup saying that you can’t use the Windows 8 product key into a Windows 8.1 installation. In this case look online for a “generic Windows 8.1 key” (make sure you get the “Core” or “Professional” depending on your version) to continue with the installation process. This will allow you to install the operating system as a trial version, then do the following to properly activate your OS:

Go to PC settings > PC and devices > PC info and change your product key to the Windows 8 to activate your copy.

Stuck installing Windows 8.1 from ISO downloaded with Windows 8 key

OR How to clean install Windows 8.1 without a Windows 8 retail key

Bruce

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RG, here’s a step-by-step from Tweakhound.

That will probably get you there.

Bruce

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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RG, here’s a step-by-step from Tweakhound.

That will probably get you there.

Bruce

Thanks.
I needed a generic key to get it to download.

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SUCCESS creating a Windows 8.1 installation disk and updating a Windows 8 system with it.

First, I downloaded Belarc Advisor and used it to find my Windows 8 product key. And did a partition backup (this is a must)!

Then I downloaded the Windows 8.1 ISO as described above in this thread. I followed the instructions in a winsupersite article.

I then burnt a DVD and tried to update my Windows 8 system with it, but struck the same problem many others have, i.e. it would accept only a Windows 8.1 key.

The secret is to create the Win8.1 installation DVD with a special config file, which prevents it asking for a product key during installation. After downloading the Windows 8.1 ISO, carefully follow these instructions:
http://www.jmedved.com/2013/09/installing-windows-8-1-or-8-without-a-product-key

(If you need to install from a USB key instead, the above webpage links to a ‘how to’ on that).

You then run the installer on the DVD or thumbdrive from within Windows 8, and select the option to keep all programs, files and settings.

After the upgrade completes, Windows 8.1 is not activated. Use the Windows-Pause/Break key combo to display licensing info, and under Windows Activation, enter the Windows 8 product key, which will now be accepted.

Worked flawlessly on my Win8 Pro, should also work on the non-Pro version.

Asus N53SM & N53SN 64-bit laptops (Win7 Pro & Win10 Pro 64-bit multiboots), venerable HP Pavilion t760 32-bit desktop (XP & Win7 Pro multiboot), Oracle VirtualBox VM's: XP & Win7 32-bit, XP Mode, aged Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2019s (8" & 10.1"), Blu-ray burners, digital cameras, ext. HDDs (latest 5TB!), AnyDVD, Easeus ToDo Backup Home, Waterfox, more. Me: Aussie card-carrying Windows geek.

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CLiNT,

Thanks! However, that is for a “Clean” install and I don’t really want to reinstall everything. Yeah, I know it’s the best way but I’m feeling lazy! I just finished trying one-more-time this time using the ei.cfg file on the USB key. That let me install and accepted my Win 8 Pro Upgrade Key but still forced me into a MS account and when I created a local account and deleted the MS Account I could not reliably connect to my WD My Book Live NAS it kept asking me for my credentials and even though I check the “remember” box it still kept asking. So back to 8.0 courtesy of Macrium Reflect.

I guess at some time I’ll have to bite the “Clean Install” bullet but I just had some dental work and the dentist said not to bite on anything hard! :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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I’m not clean installing either, I just wanted a copy in the form of an ISO in the event I ever do need to clean install.

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I’m not one for clean installs, either. I only go that route when there is not a path for an upgrade install. I’ve never had an issue with an upgrade, as I’m always upgrading a “clean” system. Once I have the OS upgraded and tweaked, it’s drive imaging from that point forward.

My upgrade install from 8 Pro to 8.1 Pro on my laptop went “slick as a whistle”, so I’m set. I already have a couple or three drive images on file.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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You’re welcome.

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