How-toWindowsWindows 8 and 8.1

Windows 8 and 8.1: how to install and set it up

Windows 8 or 8.1 setup with your own license: pick the right version, back up, boot the disc or USB drive and finish setup.

  • Updated
  • 40 min
  • Intermediate
Applies to
  • Windows 8 / 8.1

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Reinstalling Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 on a PC that already ran it needs your own media and license. Learn which version to use, the install steps and what to expect afterwards.

Windows 8 and 8.1 no longer get security updates

Microsoft ended support for Windows 8.1 on January 10, 2023, and offered no paid extended updates for it. Windows 8 itself lost support earlier, in January 2016, and Microsoft said customers had to move to 8.1. Microsoft says an unsupported PC is at greater risk from viruses and malware. Keep it offline where you can, avoid banking and email on it, and plan to move on. See what to do about Windows 10 end of support and ChromeOS Flex on an old PC.

Windows 8 and 8.1 support datesA timeline of 5 events in date order. The full text follows the picture.Windows 8 and 8.1 supportdates2012Windows 8 releasedGeneral availability onOctober 262013Windows 8.1 releasedAn update to Windows 82016Windows 8 supportendsCustomers had to moveto 8.120188.1 mainstreamsupport endsSecurity updatescontinue20238.1 support endsJanuary 10No more securityupdates
Dates are from Microsoft's lifecycle pages.
Text version of this diagram
  • 2012: Windows 8 released. General availability on October 26
  • 2013: Windows 8.1 released. An update to Windows 8
  • 2016: Windows 8 support ends. Customers had to move to 8.1
  • 2018: 8.1 mainstream support ends. Security updates continue
  • 2023: 8.1 support ends January 10. No more security updates

What you need

Use media and a product key from a copy you own. Microsoft no longer sells either version, and downloads from unofficial sites are a common way to get malware. Whether Microsoft still offers installation files for Windows 8.1 is not confirmed. Never use an activator or a key generator.

If you have a choice, install Windows 8.1, not the original Windows 8. It is the version Microsoft supported last. Check that the disc matches your edition and key.

Windows 8 and 8.1 minimum hardware
Part32-bit64-bit
Processor1 GHz or faster, with PAE, NX and SSE2
Memory (RAM)1 GB2 GB
Free disk space16 GB20 GB
GraphicsDirectX 9 with a WDDM driver
Installing Windows 8.1 in five stages5 numbered steps, one under the other. The full text follows the picture.Installing Windows 8.1 in fivestages1Back upCopy your files to an externaldrive2GatherDisc or USB drive, productkey, drivers3StartBoot the PC from the disc orUSB drive4InstallChoose the drive and letSetup finish5CheckConfirm the version, driversand activation
Do the first two stages before you touch the disc.
Text version of this diagram
  1. Back up: Copy your files to an external drive
  2. Gather: Disc or USB drive, product key, drivers
  3. Start: Boot the PC from the disc or USB drive
  4. Install: Choose the drive and let Setup finish
  5. Check: Confirm the version, drivers and activation

Stop and back up first

A clean install erases everything on the drive you choose: documents, photos, programs and settings. Copy what matters to an external drive and open a few files from the copy. See how to back up your files. Continue only when you have done this.

Try Refresh your PC before a clean install

If Windows 8.1 still starts, Microsoft's Refresh your PC reinstalls Windows and keeps your user accounts, personal files and Windows Store apps. It removes desktop programs you installed and leaves a list of them on the desktop. Reset your PC is different: it removes all your data and apps. Start both under Change PC settings then Update and recovery then Recovery in Windows 8.1. For Windows 8, the Refresh option is on the General page of PC settings. Read each screen first. Microsoft's technical notes say that on a PC upgraded from Windows 8 to 8.1, a refresh can take it back to Windows 8, and some PCs need recovery media. A refresh does not replace a backup.

Start the PC from the disc or USB drive

  1. Plug in the charger on a laptop. Insert the disc or USB drive. If the PC is switched on, save your work and shut it down first.
  2. Restart the PC. Watch the first screen for a hint such as "Press F12 for boot menu". Keys vary by maker; common ones are F12, Esc and F2.
  3. Choose the disc or USB drive and press Enter. If asked to press a key to boot from CD or DVD, do so.
A typical boot menuA monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom. It has 3 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Boot menuInternal driveUSB driveNetworkEnter: select123A typical boot menu
  1. Each line is a drive the PC can start from
  2. A USB drive often shows its brand name or "USB"
  3. A hint bar lists the keys that move and select
Boot menus look different on every PC. This drawing is typical, not exact.
Text version of this diagram

A monitor showing a simple boot menu on a dark screen with the heading "Boot menu", three choices (internal drive, USB drive and network) with the first highlighted, and a hint bar at the bottom.

  1. Each line is a drive the PC can start from
  2. A USB drive often shows its brand name or "USB"
  3. A hint bar lists the keys that move and select

Run Setup

Wording can differ a little between discs.

  1. Choose your language, time and currency format, and keyboard, then select Next, then Install now.
  2. Enter your product key when asked, then accept the license terms.
  3. Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) for a clean install.
  4. On Where do you want to install Windows?, select the partition for Windows. Drive options (advanced) then Format erases it completely.
  5. Select Next. The PC restarts several times. Leave it alone.
Drives shown when choosing where to installA horizontal bar for one disk, divided left to right into four parts: a small EFI system partition, a large Windows partition, a recovery partition and a hatched block of unallocated space. It has 3 numbered markers, explained in the list under the picture.Disk 0123Drives shown when choosingwhere to install
  1. The partition that holds Windows and your files
  2. Recovery partition: repair tools. Leave it alone
  3. Unallocated space: empty space with nothing on it yet
A typical layout. Names and sizes differ between PCs.
Text version of this diagram

A horizontal bar for one disk, divided left to right into four parts: a small EFI system partition, a large Windows partition, a recovery partition and a hatched block of unallocated space.

  1. The partition that holds Windows and your files
  2. Recovery partition: repair tools. Leave it alone
  3. Unallocated space: empty space with nothing on it yet

First-time setup screens

  1. Pick a color and type a PC name.
  2. On the settings screen, choose Use express settings or Customize. Customize lets you review each choice.
  3. Sign in with a Microsoft account, or look for the link to use a local account. The exact wording varies.
  4. Wait while Windows prepares the Start screen.

Check that it worked

  1. Press Windows key + X, then select System. Check the edition and the System type.
  2. On the same screen, check the line about Windows activation.
  3. Press Windows key + X, then select Device Manager. A yellow mark means a missing driver. See how to install apps and desktop software on Windows 8.1.

If something goes wrong

If Setup cannot see the drive, get the storage driver from the PC maker's website and use Load driver on the drive screen. If activation fails, check the key matches the edition. Never use cracked activation tools. For problems after setup, see Windows 8 and 8.1 common problems and fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Windows 8.1 the same as Windows 8?

No. Windows 8.1 is an update to Windows 8. Microsoft required Windows 8 customers to move to 8.1 to stay supported.

Can a Windows 8.1 PC move to Windows 11?

Only if it meets the Windows 11 requirements. Microsoft says PCs running Windows 8.1 are unlikely to meet them, so check first.

Is it safe to use online after installing?

Not for sensitive tasks. A new install gets no new security updates, because support ended on January 10, 2023, so it is safer offline.

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Official resources used

Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.

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