I’m not sure what the hell took so long but they’re up now.
Microsoft has finally put up links to the ISO’s of Windows 8.1
How to install Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file
To install Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file, you must first convert the ISO file into installation media stored on a DVD or a USB flash drive.
If you’re using Windows 8, follow these steps to install Windows 8.1 Preview from an ISO file:
- Download the ISO (.iso) file.
- Double-tap or double-click the ISO file.
- Double-tap or double-click setup.exe and follow the steps.
If you’re using Windows 7, the easiest way to convert an ISO file to a DVD is to use Windows Disc Image Burner. On a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista, a third-party program is required to convert an ISO file into installable media—and DVD burning software often includes this capability.
Important
If you decide that you want to install Windows 8.1 Preview using the ISO, you won’t be able to uninstall it. If you decide to go back to your previous operating system, you’ll need to reinstall it using the recovery or installation media that came with your PC, which is typically DVD media.
If you’re running Windows 8 and you don’t have recovery media, you might be able to create a USB recovery drive. If you’re running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP and you don’t have recovery media, you might be able to create it from a recovery partition on your PC using software provided by your PC manufacturer.
Check the support section of your PC manufacturer’s website for more information. After you install Windows 8.1 Preview, you won’t be able to use the recovery partition on your PC to go back to your previous version of Windows.
Notes before you download
Windows 8.1 Preview is prerelease software that may be substantially modified before it’s commercially released. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the information provided here. Some product features and functionality may require additional hardware or software.
ISO files
| Language | Link to download | SHA-1 hash value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 64-bit (x64) |  Download (3.3 GB) | 0xD76AD96773615E8C504F63564AF749469CFCCD57 | ||
| English 32-bit (x86) |  Download (2.5 GB) | 0x8BED436F0959E7120A44BF7C29FF0AA962BDEFC9 |
For non English links, head to the page
All Comments
DO NOT DOWNLOAD WAST OF TIME GOES TO DESKTOP GOT THE START MENU BUTTON THEN U BACK IN SQUARE 1 WITH METRO UI AGAIN
Not impressed?
I downloaded from the store– update. Now I have Windows 8.1 installed it work pretty good- by the time the real one comes it will be better!!
Where in the world is your internet etiquette using all Caps, and then there is the spelling. My Engrish is by far better than yours.
nope what was the point of that have u tried it yet mean u got the start menu back which leads to metro start menu not alone boot to desktop so windows 8.1 sales will go down yet again unless they make it like windows 7
Sorry, but I have to laugh at that train of thought. Why would you install Windows 8 when you love Windows 7 so much? For most of us, it’s NOT a waste of time. Far too many advances have been made thus far in Windows 8 (especially 8.1); and besides, I now find Windows 7 VERY BORING compared to the Modern UI. Yawn…
Rodney, did you finally get your install to work?
I had to use a torrent site to get it last night. It’s pretty ridiculous.
Hey Onuora, I wished I knew the in and outs of doing it your way, but I’m now in the process of downloading the ISO file and will take that route instead. The funny thing is, I was trying to do it through the “Store install” as suggested by MS (on a T-1 line at one point and I’m not using a third-party anti-virus either), and it STILL wouldn’t get past 44% (and why that point exactly 4 times I have no clue). Thanks for the feedback.
Wow.
Yeah I never saw it in the store so I decided not to wait. I have no idea why they didn’t release these links yesterday.
Makes absolutely no sense. The links on this page should work though.
Windows 8.1 is ….different. Watch for my review here soon.
Enjoy!
I can’t wait for your take on it. I’ll be watching for it.
By the way Onuora, I did get the ISO downloaded and installed … and I’m very impressed with the changes!
I see where a few tweaks are still needed here and there, like why not have the HOME icon displayed in IE11 Metro somewhere at the bottom. At least they have a place in Settings where you can declare which site to use but since it seems to load the last tab (unless you launch one elsewhere), how does the HOME page load? Of course, I saved it to Favorites for easy access, but still…
I really appreciate how reading within email, you click a link and it automatically launches into a split screen. Way more convenient than launching into a new screen as it did before. That’s sweet!
I also like how in the Store, you can click on “Not interested” on various apps that come your way, thus not seeing the same app somewhere down the line. Nice touch! Now, if they only could do the same with apps you own but are not installed.
Overall, I’m happy with MS’s efforts and happier still once the real thing is available later this year.
Wishing you and the family a great summer. 🙂
Yeah there’s a dilemma here.
I am liking the refinements made in the OS but when I look at it from a civilians perspective, I’m not sure I’m sold.
For instance, I would have thought boot to desktop would be in personalizations and not hidden in toolbar options. etc etc
Time will tell…
Happy summer to you and your family my friend.
well mate there is no windows 7 sp2 from microsoft unless u can make 1
Well guy, just try to embrace the change is all I can say. Who knows, maybe MS will do a SP2 due to the business clientele eventually, but I wouldn’t count on it. They’re moving ahead, as well as they should be. Namasté!
I see you have just copied slabs of text direct from the Microsoft Web site. It’s called plagiarism and I would suggest you use your own words next time.
If you’re not paying for membership here, I suggest you keep your mouth shut or keep it moving.
Thanks.
People pay to read this site? Why, when there doesn’t appear to be any original material here. How much does membership cost and what extra does it give you?
I see sarcasm is lost on you.
No people don’t pay to read so they don’t get to critique the content.
That was the point.
I wasn’t critiquing the content, I was critiquing that the content was a direct lift from a Microsoft Web page.
And just because I don’t pay you anything doesn’t mean I can’t critique the content, or do you just want people to say nice things in the comments?
Here’s the deal, bangroad. Most of the folks in the industry know one another and frequently SHARE data, info and links between each other. Like, Paul Thurrott does with Mary Jo Foley and vice-versa.
It isn’t plagiarism when permission is granted to use another’s work, especially when credit is given.
I don’t believe that Onuora has permission to publish verbatim from a Microsoft Web site and no credit was included.
Most folks in the industry do not take copy from another’s Web site and pass it off as their own.
BELIEVE what you want, bangroad. Folks don’t really care what trolls think. Like my mama used to say, “If you don’t have something good to say then don’t say it.” That’s called MANNERS, which today’s youth totally lack in that social skill. Move along…
It’s OK.
He’s history.
Yeah but as admin, here’s what I do have the power to do.
When you hover the volume icon, no pop-up message appearing! OMG the simple functions that Microsoft removed is pissing me off! damn it I always check volume before launching apps or games and I don’t even want to explain why (lol) Now you have to click then adjust volume just to check it! Can you please tell Microsoft to bring it back or fix it IMMEDIATELY! urghh -_- and btw I don’t need that start button. I don’t miss it and I’m happy without it 😀
This update have been downloading since 6/28 and this morning it only at 8% down load for me Windows 8 have been a big disappointment to me and hope the update will change my views
Yeah Clyde, I went through similar circumstances myself and finally had to download and install the ISO instead. That went very smooth, so try that.
You will the Product Key as provided above, so write that down somewhere.
Namaste!
it now 230pm and still at 8% download
What speed are you downloading at?
It have been 24hrs since I started this download for Windows 8 and it is still only 8% download the problem with Microsoft windows OS is that they don’t have any competition so they do what ever they like and I am not happy with this right now
I like w8-8.1–Download from http://windows.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows-8/preview-download
I had no problem. Everything is ok..Merci Onuara, have a nice summer. Here it is 58-60 F..
i have download the 32bit and 64bit. I can’t install, it gives no key found on media