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Update seven/19/2021: Windows 8.i is long outdated, only technically supported through 2023. If you demand to download an ISO to reinstall the total version of the operating system, y'all can download one from Microsoft here.

If you lot are still using Microsoft Windows viii.1, nosotros recommend you lot at to the lowest degree brainstorm considering what Bone you will use in the futurity. It's mid-2021 and Win 8.one will shuffle off the mortal coil in January 2023. You can stillqualify for a complimentary upgrade to Windows x if you lot own a valid Windows 8.ane license, despite the fact that Microsoft formally concluded its upgrade program five years ago. Additionally, Windows 10 has the same system requirements as Windows eight.i, so if you lot tin run the latter, you tin can likewise run the former.

Fifty-fifty though Windows 11 has been announced, upgrading to Windows x has several advantages. First, Windows 11 may not back up your hardware if it'south old enough to still be running Windows 8 or Windows eight.1. Windows 10, on the other hand, was compatible with virtually everything Windows 8.1 would run on. Windows 10 will besides be supported through 2025, which gives you lot an extra two full years of support earlier needing to figure out an alternative solution.

If you are somehow nonetheless stuck on Windows 8.0 and exercise not want to go to the hassle of a full Os bandy, we recommend running Windows Update immediately and downloading all available patches for your arrangement, including the Windows viii.i update, which will likely be offered to you by default. If you desire to download but the Windows 8.1 update files, you lot tin do so here.

Original story beneath, from 2022:

Windows 8.1 has been released. If you lot're using Windows eight, upgrading to Windows viii.1 is both easy and free. If you're using another operating system (Windows 7, Windows XP, Os Ten), yous tin can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows viii.one Pro), or opt for 1 of the free methods listed below. To download and install Windows 8.1 for free, follow the guide below.

How to download Windows 8.one for free

Windows 8.1 boxIf you don't want to expect for October 17 or 18, there are ii options for downloading Windows viii.1: You lot can obtain a copy (and a license fundamental) from a friend/colleague with an MSDN, TechNet, or DreamSpark (student) subscription, or you can download a Windows 8.1 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 8.1 RTM from non-official sources, we volition at least tell you lot to check the SHA-one hash of the ISO that you lot download to make sure that it's legitimate. If you lot hit up the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and and so click Details nether the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, you lot'll notice the SHA-one hash. If you then use 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 do brand sure that you'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 8.1 Preview from Microsoft. It's not as snappy equally the final (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Conduct in listen that if y'all go downwards this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows eight.1 volition require a few more than steps (discussed in the next section).

How to install Windows 8.i for costless

In one case you have the Windows viii.i ISO on your difficult drive, the installation procedure is painless. Before you begin, you lot should consider backing up your important files and documents, but information technology'southward not really necessary. You should also ensure that you have plenty of free hard drive space (20GB+).

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

If you already take Windows eight, and you waited for the official release engagement, installing Windows viii.1 is equally uncomplicated as visiting the Windows Store and downloading the free update.

In both these cases, the upgrade process should exist very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If you upgrade from Windows eight.ane Preview, however, you will lose your installed apps, unless you lot start run a cversion.ini removal utility.

Once y'all've installed Windows 8.1, you should bank check out our extensive collection of Windows eight.1 tips and tricks, and be sure to check our Windows 8.i review and hands-on impressions to ensure that y'all're making the nearly of all the new features.

At present Read:

  • Windows ten Is Five Years Old Today
  • Microsoft May Stream Win32 Apps to Windows 10X from the Cloud
  • Microsoft Working to Dusk Windows Control Console

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