installation - will you be able to do a clean install to 8.1 from the windows 8 update download

10
2014-05
  • deadagain51

    I have windows 8 already so I will be getting the free update to 8.1 when it is released later this month, but I want to do it as a clean install rather than an update. Will the download of the update give me the option of doing a complete clean install or do I need to upgrade from my existing windows 8 OS.

    Thanks Mark

    • Answers
  • trogper

    it will download complete windows setup files in C:\$Windows.~BT or C:\WindowsESD

    you can copy this to USB drive, mark it active (use google), boot from it and install


    • Related Question

    installation - Is there a way to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8 Pro upgrade key?
  • Schnapple

    I may be too early with this question but here goes - I would like to do a clean install of Windows 8.1, and I have a product key for Windows 8 Pro (the boxed "upgrade" they sell retail).

    The RTM bits released on MSDN and Technet and such are designed to be installed standalone but they require a key that is specific to the 8.1 bits. You can't plug in a Windows 8 key and have it work.

    The RTM bits released on MSDN and Technet also refuse to allow you to install without a key so the idea of trying to plug in the Windows 8 key after the fact isn't possible, and the ei.cfg things that would work with Windows 7 don't seem to apply anymore.

    It could be that a really obvious way to do this will become apparent in October but if I wanted to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8 Pro key, is that possible?


    • Related Answers
  • magicandre1981

    Insert the generic key which is available in the Product.ini on the DVD (sources folder) during setup.

    In Windows, follow the old hack and use slmgr.vbs -ipk <YOURKEY> to install your key, change the MediaBootInstall from "1" to "0", run the rearm command and now try to activate Windows 8.1