ISO for Window 8

Question

My OS seems to have some corrupted files, according to MS Answer Desk tech.  He connected me to MS to download the ISO for Windows 8.  About half way through the download my computer froze up.  I lost the partial download.  Days later I went to the link to download the ISO again, but it gives me a message of "Prohibited."  I am wondering which ISO to download since there seems to be more than one release date.  I purchased this Dell laptop in May of 2013.  Questions:

1. Which ISO should I download?
2. Downloading the ISO for System Restore...will that erase/delete my hard drive files, programs, etc.?
3. Which would be faster, to download to a USB memory or directly to the computer?

Thank you for your prompt response.

Tiko

Answer 1

Hi,

Support and downloads for 8 has ended.

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This should assist you.

"Restore Windows 8 using the Factory image restore method in Dell Backup and Recovery"

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN155115/EN

"How to enable boot from DVD option with UEFI boot mode enabled. (Windows 8, 8.1 & 10)"

http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN142679/EN

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This is also very good information about Resetting to new condition.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2302-reset-windows-8-a.html

   Note

Which files will be affected?

When you reset your PC, the drive will be completely reset, and all your apps and files will be removed from it. Windows 8 will be reinstalled, and you'll need to change any settings and reinstall any apps that you want to get back after resetting. If you know if any files that you don't want to lose, then you should back those files up before starting the reset.

What if I have multiple drives?

You can choose whether to reset all hard drives or just the one with Windows 8 installed on it. Any drive that Windows 8 doesn't recognize, such as those with non-Windows operating systems, will not be affected.

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Or:

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

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"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

   Warning

This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

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How to clean install:

"How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2299-clean-install-windows-8-a.html

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With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

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This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

Cheers.