What do you do, when you want to install or reinstall Windows 8.1 and you have lost your installation media or you don’t have it at all. Microsoft has come to the rescue! Microsoft now provides an online tool to create Windows 8.1 installation media. You can use this Windows Installation Media Creation Tool to create a Windows 8.1 installation media. This will help you if you need to install or reinstall Windows 8.1.
Windows Installation Media Creation Tool
It’s always better to keep the installation media handy. To get this installation file, one should have an internet connection, a USB flash drive with at least 4GB capacity or a DVD burner, and a DVD to burn the downloaded ISO on your PC. One has to download and run a small application that will ask you about the kind of installation file you want to create.
TIP: This post shows how to use Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to Create Installation Media or Upgrade PC.
Create Windows 8.1 installation media
Once you have met the requirements and you visit the Microsoft web page, you will be offered options to choose :
- The language,
- Windows 8.1 Edition, You should also choose the same edition of Windows you want to re-install. To check what edition you’re currently running, go to PC info in PC settings or System in Control Panel, look for Windows edition. This might be Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro.
- Architecture – whether it’s 32-bit or 64-bit.
You will not be offered the option for Windows RT edition, however!
Once you make your selections, it’ll provide the option to choose where to save this installation file. One has to connect the USB Flash drive or if the ISO file is chosen, then the installation ISO file will be saved to the PC, which can then be burned to the DVD.
Next, click on the Create media button and just follow the instructions.
Once the installation file is downloaded by either of the methods, connect the USB flash drive to the PC where you want to install Windows 8.1. Then from File Explorer open the setup.exe file. Follow the instructions provided by the setup.
If it’s an ISO file burned to DVD, insert the DVD into your PC, and then reboot the computer. Follow the instructions in the setup. Make it to boot from the CD in BIOS, if required.
As I mentioned earlier, it is always a good thing to make an Installation Media and keep it handy. So go ahead and visit this Microsoft page to get started.
Windows 7 users can use the Microsoft Software Recovery website to create a Windows 7 installation DVD.
