Microsoft stopped offering technical assistance and software updates for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023. After that time, it also removed the public download options for the Windows 8.1 ISO file from the official site.
That's why the ISO download options mentioned on some old pages are invisible on Microsoft's site.
Given that, I offer you the direct links for downloading Windows 8.1. Scroll down to find the Windows 8.1 ISO download links; 64-bit, 32-bit, and All-in-One (AIO) versions are included.
Note: Before downloading Windows 8.1 ISO, check the official minimum system requirements for running Windows 8.1 with this table:
| Processor (CPU) | 1 GHz or faster, with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2 |
| RAM | 1 GB (32-bit) / 2 GB (64-bit) |
| Installations Storage | 16 GB (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit) |
| Graphics | Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver |
| Display Resolution | 1024 × 768 for Windows Store apps (standard apps); 1366 × 768 for Snap view (side-by-side apps) |
| Firmware | Supports both BIOS and UEFI; (UEFI required for Secure Boot feature) |
Let more people know the system requirements for Windows 8.1 before they start downloading.
You may also need:
Windows 8.1 ISO download (64-bit & 32-bit)
Most laptops and desktop computers released from 2009 to 2015 support Windows 8.1.
You can download Windows 8.1 ISO files with the following links and run Windows 8.1 on these compatible computers. These downloading links are offered by archive.org and are Microsoft's official ISO files.
⬇️ Windows 8.1 ISO download 64-bit (4 GB)
⬇️ Windows 8.1 ISO download 32-bit (3 GB)
For installation:
Notably, unlike Windows 10 or 11, Windows 8.1 won't let you skip the product key entry step. The setup won't continue without one.
The good news is that Microsoft provides generic installation keys (default keys) that let you complete the installation, though they can't activate Windows 8.1. The edition installed (Core, Pro, Enterprise, Pro Pack, etc.) is determined by the key you enter.
Here is the list of Windows 8.1 generic installation keys:
| Edition | Generic Installation Key (offered by Microsoft) |
| Windows 8.1 (Core) | 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT |
| Windows 8.1 Pro; Windows 8.1 Pro Pack | XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB |
| Windows 8.1 Enterprise | MHF9N-XY6XB-WVXMC-BTDCT-MKKG7 |
| Windows 8.1 Professional with Media Center | GBFNG-2X3TC-8R27F-RMKYB-JK7QT |
Windows 8.1 ZIP file download
This Windows 8.1 ZIP file contains the Windows 8.1 ISO files of both 64-bit and 32-bit.
⬇️ Download Windows 8.1 ZIP file (7 GB)
Source: archive.org
When installing, you can obtain the valid product key (offered by archive.org) below for free to complete the setup. It is not recommended to download and install Windows 8.1 with a crack. This is illegal and unsafe.
| Windows 8.1 Pro Product Key: | XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH |
| Windows 8.1 (Standard) Product Key: | FB4WR-32NVD-4RW79-XQFWH-CYQG3 |
Share the Windows 8.1 ZIP file with a free Windows 8.1 product key with more people.
Windows 8.1 ISO file download All-in-One
This is a Windows 8.1 64-bit All-In-One ISO file that contains Windows 8.1 Core, Windows 8.1 Pro, and Windows 8.1 Enterprise. However, which edition will be installed on your PC depends on the product key you enter.
⬇️ Download Windows 8.1 ISO All-In-One file (4.4 GB)
Source: archive.org
Windows 8.1 Pro ISO download
Here are the direct links to download the Windows 8.1 Pro ISO 64-bit and 32-bit files. You are required to enter the product key for Windows 8.1 Pro when installing.
⬇️ Windows 8.1 Pro ISO download 64-bit (x64)
Size: 4 GB
Source: archive.org
⬇️ Windows 8.1 Pro ISO download 32-bit (x86)
Size: 3 GB
Source: archive.org
How to create a Windows 8.1 bootable USB
As an older version of Windows, Windows 8.1 is often downloaded for tests. If you are going to create a Windows 8.1 bootable USB to start up different computers for some tests, it's not necessary, as this process is troublesome.
You can use iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows to clone the OS partition (C: drive) of a Windows 8.1 PC. Then, you'll get a bootable copy of Windows 8.1 and directly use it to start up multiple compatible PCs without any setup.
- Connect a clean USB drive or external hard drive to a Windows 8.1 computer.
Ensure the capacity of this drive is larger than that of the OS partition of this PC. Or else, the cloning process won't succeed. - Download, install, and open iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows on the Windows 8.1 computer.
- The software will automatically list the Windows 8.1 system partition in the Source OS disk section.
- Click "Select a destination disk" and choose your target USB drive or external disk.
- Click "Start" and confirm the prompt to start cloning the OS partition on the Windows 8.1 PC.
After the cloning process completes, you can connect this bootable copy of Windows 8.1 to compatible computers for tests. Also, you can use it to boot up a computer that won't start up.
Use Rufus to create a Windows 8.1 bootable USB
If you create a Windows 8.1 bootable USB for system recovery or reinstallation, you can use Rufus to finish this task.
- Download Rufus from its official website.
- Connect a USB with at least 16 GB (for 32-bit Windows 8.1) or 20 GB (for 64-bit Windows 8.1) storage space.
- Open Rufus and choose your USB drive.
- In the Boot selection field, choose your downloaded Windows 8.1 ISO file.
- Finish configuration for the USB drive.
- Click "START."
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish creating a Windows 8.1 bootable USB.
Then, connect the Windows 8.1 bootable USB to the target PC, restart it, and simultaneously press your Boot Menu key to access the setup, and then follow the on-screen guide to finish the installation.
If this post helps you get the Windows 8.1 ISO file for free, share it with others.
FAQs about Windows 8.1 ISO download
- QCan I download Windows 8.1 ISO for free without a product key?
-
A
Yes, you can download Windows 8.1 ISO for free without a product key, but you can't install Windows 8.1 without a product key. Installing Windows 8.1 is different from that of Windows 11/10; you are not allowed to skip the product key entry screen.
- QCan Windows 8.1 still be downloaded?
-
A
Microsoft no longer supports Windows 8.1 from January 10, 2023, and doesn't offer the download options for this version from then on.
If you want to download Windows 8.1, you can get it from archive.org.
- QAre Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 the same?
-
A
No, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 are different versions of the same generation.