Installing Windows 8.1 using your Windows 8.0 key is not as easy as it should be, Microsoft first want you to install Windows 8.0, then upgrade to 8.1 using the Windows Store, then after that install Windows 8.1 Update 1 and any Windows Updates released after that.
That is a lot of wasted time both downloading and installing updates, even more so if you have a slow internet connection.
However you can simply install Windows 8.1 with update 1 using your Windows 8 key. This doesn’t matter if the key is a retail key, upgrade key or OEM key this method will work perfectly fine with Windows 8 Core or Pro Editions.
How to install Windows 8.1 as a clean install, without installing Windows 8.0 first.
First you need a clean, untouched Windows 8.1 Update 1 ISO, if you have a Technet or MDSN subscription you can simply download the ISO’s from there like I have. If you don’t i have included the file name and SHA1 of the ISO below, along with a magenet link.
To download the magnet link in uTorrent simply go File > Add Torrent From URL and copy and paste the magnet link in.
Typing the SHA1 Windows 8.1 Update 1 edition you want in to Google should find you a download too. Simply check the SHA1 of the ISO you download to the SHA1 here to ensure the ISO is clean and has not been tampered with.
Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) – DVD (English)
File Name: en_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4065090.iso
Languages: English (US)
SHA1: 4652DC6EBFEBE02C6A63E167C36E3FAEDFB93999
Download: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:F3EA2D2939380BB32F2B67E2E3ABABB5CD202F75
Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x86) – DVD (English)
File Name: en_windows_8.1_with_update_x86_dvd_4065105.iso
Languages: English (US)
SHA1: 54B8572556B316A6BECE54C5033564E3296F5951
Download: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:BBC17FEB235417FC8F252A82CCA2CD50F20D16CA
Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x86) – DVD (English-United Kingdom)
File Name: en-gb_windows_8.1_with_update_x86_dvd_4048086.iso
Languages: English (GB)
SHA1: 3B589873A08C3AEC7E525968D03878F2A239B187
Download: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:F3EA2D2939380BB32F2B67E2E3ABABB5CD202F75
Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) – DVD (English-United Kingdom)
File Name: en-gb_windows_8.1_with_update_x64_dvd_4048142.iso
Languages: English (GB)
SHA1: 1F18420D65956DFE56E2359DA71AB6C363146570
Download: magnet:?xt=urn:btih:1e5515925ad8e699cb072716abbf3e3d91af2785
Clean Install of Windows 8.1 Update 1
So you have now obtained a clean Windows 8.1 ISO, you simply want to install Windows 8.1 as normal, however using one of the following default keys below depending on if you have the Core or Pro edition of Windows 8.1
Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
Please note: The above keys will not allow you to activate Windows 8.1, simply install it.
Installing a Windows 8.0 key on Windows 8.1 via Command Prompt:
1. Run a Command Prompt with administrator rights
2. Type slmgr.vbs -ipk AAAAA-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE (ABCDE is your purchased key for that machine)
3. Reboot and Windows will be activated
That it, you have installed Windows 8.1 with Update 1 and activated using your Windows 8.0 key, saving you a lot of time by skipping hours of downloading and updating. I hope this method saves you as much time as it’s saved me over the last year.
