There are any number of reasons why someone might want to download Windows 8, or maybe the newer Windows 8.1. Most obviously, if you don't have Windows 8, getting your hands on the operating system via a download is much easier than buying a boxed copy.
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Even if you already have Windows 8 on a computer, most manufacturers don't include a copy, making a clean install of Windows 8 or 8.1 pretty much impossible. Plus, having a copy of Windows 8 makes some kinds of troubleshooting a lot easier.
Finally, maybe you just want to give it a try on a spare computer or on a virtual machine. You've seen the prices for Windows 8 and it isn't cheap. There are probably free copies of Windows 8 floating around somewhere, right?
Windows 10 is the most recent version of Windows available and can be upgraded to from a currently installed Windows 8 or Windows 7 OS. See Where Can I Download Windows 10? for help.
Where Can I Download Windows 8 or 8.1?
Top Free Games For Windows 8 Tablets And PCs A list of quality games you must try out on Windows 8 tablets and PCs. Solitaire for Windows 8. Now you can play this classic card game on your Windows 8 PC Spider Solitaire Free. Download Spider Solitaire from the web Pokemon Trading Card Game Online. Free realistic version of the popular Pokemon rare card trading game in a simulator format.
There are several ways to download Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 online, but of them are only a couple completely legal methods.
There is a Windows 8 trial option, as well as some not-so-legal methods of downloading Windows 8, all of which is discussed below.
If you do have a copy of Windows 8 or 8.1 (in ISO format or on a disc or flash drive) and also have that copy of Windows 8 installed and working but you've lost your product key, there may be a way to find it. See How to Find Your Windows 8 or 8.1 Product Key for help.
There are three, completely legal ways to download a full copy of Windows 8.1.
If you're new to Windows 8, purchasing Windows 8.1 (Windows 8 with the 8.1 update already included) is probably the smartest choice. Sometimes you can find a less expensive boxed copy of Windows 8 (before the 8.1 update) from general retailers like Amazon or from an electronics outlet like NewEgg, which you can then update to Windows 8.1 for free after installation.
Your second option, useful if you have experience working with ISO images, is to download Windows 8.1 directly from Microsoft. Please note, however, that unlike buying Windows 8 new, a Windows 8 download from Microsoft doesn't get you the product key you need to activate Windows.
Visit Microsoft's Download Windows 8.1 Disc Image (ISO File) page.
Pick the Windows 8.1 edition you want, and select Confirm.
Unless there's a specific reason to pick another option, most people should select Windows 8.1.
Choose the Windows 8.1 ISO download you want. There's both a 32-bit and 64-bit download option.
Your final option is to download Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 for 'free' as part of a paid Visual Studio subscription (previously called an MSDN subscription), which runs for several hundred dollars per year. You'll get a copy of Windows 8.1 in ISO format, ready for burning to a disc or transferring to a USB device.
This is a professional subscription program available for purchase by anyone, but designed for software developers. You get access to all full versions of Windows 8 & 8.1, including valid product keys, in addition to software and keys for almost every software and operating system Microsoft has ever created.
The Visual Studio subscription program is anything but cheap. Unless you're a software developer or some other professional IT person that needs access to multiple operating systems, a Visual Studio subscription probably isn't a cost effective way to legally download Windows 8.
If you already have a Windows 8 or 8.1 disc or ISO and are only trying to download Windows 8 because you need to install it on a computer without an optical drive, there is a way to get the files from the disc or ISO onto a flash drive. See How to Install Windows 8 or 8.1 From USB for a complete tutorial.
It's important to follow the disc or USB creation instructions linked above if you want to put your Windows 8 download on a DVD or flash drive. You can't boot to the Windows 8 media just by downloading the ISO directly onto the disc or drive. A very specific process, explained in those links, is what you need to follow to make the Windows 8 download bootable.
Any other free or incredibly inexpensive Windows 8 or 8.1 download you find online is almost certainly illegal, including Windows 8 ISO files you might find on torrent sites. Legal issues aside, these Windows 8 downloads, unlike the official ones from Microsoft, run the very serious risk of containing a surprise or two.
For example, a number of Windows 8 & 8.1 downloads available from unofficial sources are 'cracked' versions of Windows 8 installation discs, meaning that they've been changed for one reason or another and could easily contain malware. It would be very unfortunate to install Windows 8 on your computer and be automatically infected with a virus.
Please know that when you pay for Windows 8, what you're actually paying for is the product key used to activate Windows 8. In other words, even if you do download Windows 8 from someone other than Microsoft, whether it's a clean and legitimate copy of Windows 8 or not, you'll still need a valid Windows 8 product key to use the operating system.
Don't Download Windows 8: Replace It
A much better option for those of you with lost or broken, but valid, copies of Windows 8 or 8.1 is to order replacement media. In your case, there's no reason to pay full price for another copy of Windows 8 or risk being infected with malware.
If Windows 8 came preinstalled on your computer, and you did have DVD or flash media but now it's damaged or lost, contact your computer maker for a replacement. Depending on their policy, your computer maker might provide you with Windows 8 media for free or a small fee.
If you purchased a retail Windows 8 DVD, you can contact the Microsoft Supplemental Parts team and request a replacement.
While not a replacement for Windows 8, please know that you also have the option to create a Recovery Drive for Windows 8 using a friend's Windows 8 PC, all for the cost of a small flash drive. Your Recovery Drive can be used to perform all the diagnostic and repair functions that a full copy of Windows 8 can. See How to Create a Windows 8 or 8.1 Recovery Drive for instructions.
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Lesson 15: Downloading Apps from the Windows Store
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The Windows Store
The Windows Store is where you'll download new apps for your Windows 8 device, much like the App Store for Apple devices. Most apps are designed to run from the Start screen. In this lesson, you'll learn how to browse the store, downloadandinstallapps, and updateapps when necessary.
You'll need to sign in with your Microsoft account to use the Windows Store. Check out our Microsoft Account tutorial to learn more about creating a Microsoft account.
- To open the Windows Store, locate and select Store on the Start screen.Opening the Store
Navigating the Store
Apps in the Store are sorted by category, such as Games, Shopping, and SocialNetworking.
To browse categories:
- To browse categories, locate and select the category heading above each category.Navigating to categories in the Store
- The selected category will appear. Click an app to see the app information page.
To search for apps, use the search bar in the top-right corner.
Viewing app information
When you select an app, you'll see more details on the app information page, including the price, userreviews, and requested permissions.
Installing apps
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The store features thousands of apps that you can download and install. Many are free or moderately priced, making it easy to find and enjoy new apps. Your downloaded apps will be associated with your Microsoft account, so you'll only have to purchase apps once.
To install an app:
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- From the Store, locate and select the app you wish to install.Clicking an app
- The app informationpage will appear. If the app is free, click the Install button. If the app has a price, click the Buy button and then follow the directions on the screen. You'll be able to add or edit your credit card information if desired.
- The app will begin downloading and will be installed automatically. A notification will appear when the app has been installed.An app installation notification
- The installed app will appear on the Start screen.
You can try certain apps for a limited time before deciding to purchase them. Just click the Try button (when available) to download a demo of the app.
You may find some apps in the store that are designed to work only in the Desktop view. After navigating to the app information page, click Go to publisher's website and then follow the instructions to download and install the app.
To uninstall an app:
- Locate and right-click the desired app on the Start screen, then select Uninstall.
- A dialog box will appear. Select Uninstall.
- The app will be uninstalled from your computer.
Updating apps
Apps may periodically receive updates, which can help keep them running smoothly and even add features. If updates are available for any of your apps, a link for Updates will appear in the top-right corner of the store.
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To update apps:
- If any updates are available, locate and select Updates in the top-right corner of the store.Clicking Updates
- Any apps with availableupdates will appear. Click the Install button at the bottom of the screen to download and install app updates.
- The updates will be downloadedand installed.The completed updates
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You may also notice available updates from the Start screen if the Store tile is active as a live tile.
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