How to install, reinstall, upgrade and activate Windows 1. Video How to upgrade an old PC to Windows 1. Latest update October 1. This updated content is based on the most recent public release of Windows 1. VUMLU9fnAho/UvBNeyNX8SI/AAAAAAAAAgo/q0G0VkxamMg/s1600/windows-8.png' alt='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' title='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' />This article covers the most common scenarios youre likely to encounter when installing, reinstalling, and activating Windows 1. Is it still possible to upgrade a PC to Windows 1. Windows 7 or Windows 8. Windows update stuck we have come up with the best four methods to solve it. Method 1 Run Windows Update for 1 hr Method 2 Update Windows. For the first year after the release of Windows 1. Microsoft offered free upgrades using the Get Windows 1. Windows Update. With the end of the free upgrade offer, the Get Windows 1. R1PifcaTihg/UbyhJbGEDsI/AAAAAAAADkQ/tE7zOz6BQIQ/s1600/softmiev.jpg' alt='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' title='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' />Windows version using Windows Update. The good news is that you can still upgrade to Windows 1. Windows 7 or Windows 8. Youll need to download the installation files and run the Setup program from within Windows or use the Upgrade Assistant available from Microsofts accessibility page. For details, see Heres how you can still get a free Windows 1. PCs that have a license to run Windows XP or Windows Vista are not eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 1. Where can I get installation files for Windows 1. If youve built a new PC or youre installing Windows 1. Mac, you can purchase a license from third party sellers or from Microsoft itself, via the Microsoft Store. Windows 1. 0 Home costs 1. Windows 1. 0 Pro costs 2. Depending on how you purchase, youll receive installation media DVD or USB key or a product key and instructions for downloading installation media. Windows 1. 0 tips Setup and configuration Dont settle for default settings Performance and troubleshooting Productivity Networking and security If you already have a Windows 1. Windows 1. 0 on a machine that already has a digital license more on that later, visit the Get Windows 1. Media Creation Tool. This free download creates a bootable USB flash drive or an ISO file that can be mounted directly see Windows 1. Mount and unmount any ISO file instantly for instructions or burned to a bootable DVD. After running the Media Creation Tool, choose Create installation media for another PC. By default, the pre selected options choose the version that matches the current PC. Clear the check box shown here if you want to choose a different version, such as downloading the x. PC. Clear this box to download a specific Windows 1. The ISO file for an x. D-iAwnOE_mA/UjR4QHCv1JI/AAAAAAAACfo/xqTr02pTN68/s640/win+8.1+p.jpg' alt='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' title='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' />GB in size. The x. ISO file approximately 4 GB in size. The combined installer is just over 6 GB in size. Developers and IT pros with a Visual Studio MSDN subscription can download installation media in ISO format from the subscriber portal. Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' title='Windows 8.1 Pre Activated Iso' />Windows 1. Enterprise editions are available through the Volume Licensing Service Center. A free 9. 0 day trial edition is also available from the Tech. Net Evaluation Center. Whats the most recent Windows 1. Microsoft released Windows 1. Fall Creators Update to the general public on October 1. The two previous versions were Version 1. Creators Update, April 5, 2. Dragon Naturally Speaking Patch. Anniversary Update, August 2, 2. Business and enterprise customers who have opted to defer new releases work on a slightly different schedule, with feature updates the official name for version upgrades being released approximately four months after the general release date. In mid 2. 01. 7, Microsoft revised its terminology for Windows as a Service, dropping the Current Branch and Current Branch for Business monikers. Version 1. 70. 3 is the current Semi Annual Channel release and was declared ready for widespread adoption by business customers on July 1. For a full listing of release dates for major versions, see the official Windows 1. Official Tool to Download Windows 8. Setup ISO and Create Installation Media We know that Microsoft didnt provide offline ISO files of Windows 8. Windows 8 ISO download files can be grabbed officially from Microsoft, and in this post, well guide you through how to do just that in a few simple steps. Each major release is associated with a build number. The July 2. 01. 5 release is build 1. The build number of the November 2. Version 1. 60. 7 is build 1. To check which version of Windows 1. Settings System About. As an alternative, you can click in the search box, type winver, and view results in a compact About Windows dialog box. The system shown below, for example, is running the Creators Update, version 1. September 2. 01. 7 updates applied. This PC is running the Windows 1. Creators Update. Will Microsoft automatically update my PC to the latest release of Windows 1. If youre currently running Windows 7 or 8. Windows 1. 0. If you are running Windows 1. Windows Update. For devices configured to use the Current Branch, those updates will download and install automatically. You can delay the installation by a few days but cannot postpone it indefinitely. On systems running Windows 1. Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can delay the installation of a new feature update by moving to the Current Branch for Business the name of this policy will change in a future update. That delays the installation of a feature update such as Version 1. In addition, you can use Group Policy to delay feature updates by an additional period of up to 3. Thats a change from the Windows 1. Anniversary Udate, which allowed delays of feature updates by up to 1. When a feature update is released, it may take several weeks or months to roll out to the huge worldwide installed base of Windows 1. Microsoft calls throttling. For details, see Facing complaints, Microsoft adopts a kinder, gentler Windows 1. The Fall Creators Update version 1. GB of bandwidth and disk space. If your PC is running an earlier version as might be the case if you restored it using the manufacturers recovery media and you dont want to wait for Windows Update, you can use the Windows 1. Update Assistant to get the latest version. Visit the Windows 1. Download page and click Update Now to start the process. Use the Update Assistant to manually download and install the latest feature update. That action downloads a very small installer file that runs a compatibility check and then, assuming the device passes all compatibility tests, begins the full upgrade. The Update Assistant is a straightforward wizard that doesnt require technical knowledge to use. Do I need a product key to install or reinstall Windows 1. If you upgrade over a properly activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8. Setup from within your current Windows installation and you will not be prompted to enter a product key. After the upgrade is complete, your new copy of Windows 1. Microsoft calls a digital license. If you are using bootable installation media to perform a clean install on a PC that was previously upgraded, you do not need to enter a product key. When you see the prompt to enter a key, click the Skip this step option. Because the PC received a digital license as part of its earlier upgrade, Windows 1. If you are using bootable installation media to perform a clean install on a PC that has never been upgraded to Windows 1. Beginning with build 1. Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8. Residents of the United States who dont own a qualifying Windows license can skip entering a product key and purchase a license online from the Windows Store after setup is complete. How do digital licenses work When you upgrade over an existing, activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8. Setup program checks the current activation status. If it determines the installation is properly activated, it contacts a Microsoft activation server and generates a license certificate that is linked to that hardware. A Microsoft account is not required for this step the license is generated for the device, not for its owner. This automatic activation process is identical whether you use an ISO file to start the upgrade or do so from the downloaded upgrade files.