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I bought a product key for Windows 8 a while ago, but I never got around to using it, because I can't seem to find a 64-bit Windows 8 ISO image anywhere.

My processor is 64-bit, but my current installation of Windows 7 is 32-bit, meaning that trying to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 through the upgrade Assistant would give me a 32-bit ISO image, which is not what I want. I want a 64-bit ISO image, so I can at least use my processor and memory to the fullest.

Where can I find a legitimate verbatim Windows 8 ISO image to use with my product key?

This is not a duplicate. The linked question does not answer me.

Joshua Merriman
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3 Answers3

22

  1. You can install from an honest but ISO hunt or third-party file if it checksums correctly. Finding authoritative checksums is the first challenge, but Microsoft publishes ISO image file names and checksums at MSDN Subscriber Downloads. Find your product brand name and the detail line item for the name of the ISO image and hashes. Start here to verify this information:

    File Name: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso
    Languages: English
    SHA1: 1CE53AD5F60419CF04A715CF3233F247E48BEEC4

  2. Paste the hash into the search engine for plenty of links at sometimes dubious sources.

  3. Gun up your antivirus and avoid downloading any "install assistants".

  4. The download will complete about as quickly as it would from Microsoft's Akamai mirrors, and you verify the ISO image hash. If it checks out, it's legitimate even if you downloaded it with urgency. An honest ISO image file is still honest, just like Gucci from Overstock.com.

MSDN, Microsoft and anyone else in the know would check the hash if they downloaded direct from microsoft.com since large files downloads are more susceptible to errors that might not manifest until the installation process.

You'll have plenty of chances to discover install problems even if Microsoft hand delivered your image builder DVD. Don't let an unobtainable ISO image or flawed ISO image trip you over.

You should also back up your existing SLIC, BCD and extract your current product key for the reasons you can't anticipate.

Community
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Karen3819x4
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9

The setup tool will download the 32-bit files if you use a 32-bit and the 64-bit files if you use a 64-bit edition of Windows. So install the 64-bit Windows 7 Enterprise Trial in a VM, run the Setup tool, enter your key, download the files and create an ISO (Install by creating media).

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Peter Mortensen
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magicandre1981
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3

I was searching for a while to find this link, it let's you re-download your Windows 8 disc using your Windows 8 product key:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

This is the answer. I guess Microsoft wanted to bury this link to encourage more sales.

Please re-post this link on any appropriate forums you're a member of.

Cheers

SMASH
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