Anyone got a link to a safe Win8 x64 iso?

[WelshBloke]

Windows upgrade thingy keeps giving me the x86 version with no option to choose the x64 version.

Is there an official link to a microsoft ISO?

 

[WelshBloke]

Hmm looks like I need to install windows 7 x64 first, then do the web update download, make a usb stick, then install win 8 x64.

Why the hell they dont just put up a link to the ISO I dont know.

 

[ViRGE]

For simplicity's sake they only give you the ISO that matches the bitness of the version of Windows you're upgrading from, since you can't upgrade from a 32bit version of Windows to 64bit. And yeah, it's annoying, though I'm sure if they offered up the 64bit version someone somewhere would try to install it on their Atom or Core Duo machine.:|

 

[WelshBloke]

It's really annoying when you have only your wife's x86 win 7 pc, your Linux laptop or the PC that you have inadvertently installed win8 x86 on to download the files.

 

[WelshBloke]

And when the download link is ridiculously slow.

 

[bbhaag]

Unfortunately there is no official Microsoft channel to dl the different iso's like with Win7. Your best bet is probably torrents or some other means that falls outside of an official link.

Edit:You could try this. I'm not sure what the difference between Enterprise and regular versions are though. It could be just the key you enter. Anyway FWIW here's the link. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx?ocid=wc-tn-wctc I know it says it is just an evaluation copy but it gives you the option to enter a key to make it legit.

 

[WelshBloke]

Yeah I didn't want to go to the torrent route, never comfortable getting an os that way.

Anyway it's sorted now after a ridiculously convoluted process involving 3 separate os installations.

 

[ViRGE]

Unfortunately there is no official Microsoft channel to dl the different iso's like with Win7. Your best bet is probably torrents or some other means that falls outside of an official link.

Edit:You could try this. I'm not sure what the difference between Enterprise and regular versions are though. It could be just the key you enter. Anyway FWIW here's the link. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx?ocid=wc-tn-wctc I know it says it is just an evaluation copy but it gives you the option to enter a key to make it legit.

You can't install the regular versions of Win8 from the Enterprise ISO, unfortunately.

 

[FalseChristian]

It looks like you're gonna have to do a clean install obviously.

 

[Sable]

More importantly, why on earth would you want to install it anyway?!?!?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2278742

-ViRGE

 

[Mem]

More importantly, why on earth would you want to install it anyway?!?!?

Better security also with built-in AV,improved Task Manager,faster boot and shutdown,Microsoft Store,Reset and Refresh options,ISO support ,improved battery life for portable gear,built-in PDF reader,I could go on etc...btw these are top 10 hidden features http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/10-best-hidden-features-in-windows-8-1117304 .


I upgraded three Win7 PCs to 8,no issues .

 

[tweakboy]

Pirating not allowed on these forums... gl

 

[Geofram]

I've got an ISO from my work's MSDN subscription. Is it legal to distribute that ISO (not associated CD keys, just the iso)?

 

[lxskllr]

I've got an ISO from my work's MSDN subscription. Is it legal to distribute that ISO (not associated CD keys, just the iso)?

No, but good neighbors share.

 

[Bearach]

Windows upgrade thingy keeps giving me the x86 version with no option to choose the x64 version.

Is there an official link to a microsoft ISO?

<REMOVED IN CASE THIS SHOULDN'T BE SHARED>

To get the ISO for burning to disk:

Use link you got in confirmation email.

Run the setup and input your serial number to continue. Continue fully till you get to "Downloading Windows 8" - Wait for it to download. Once the downloader has checked the download for errors, and getting files ready has completed, select "Install by creating media", then select ISO file. Wait for the ISO to be created and then burn to disk.

EDIT: Didn't see you wanted a different version.

 

[Bubbaleone]

I just finished testing the solution for how to obtain a 64-bit version of Windows 8. The Windows 8 download from Microsoft matches the system you download from. So if you purchase the download on a system running 32-bit Windows, your downloaded setup file will also be 32-bit.

But you can still legally get a 64-bit downloader, as long as you have access to a PC running any 64-bit version of Windows (including Windows 8).

After you completed the purchase, you received an email confirmation that included a product key and a download link. From a 64-bit PC, click that download link and enter the product key you received. When download finishes, you'll have a 64-bit Windows installer that you can save as an ISO or burn to bootable media.

I didn't test the above installer that Bearach linked to since he posted no details as to how he obtained it i.e., is it a link to a 32-bit or a 64-bit installer?


.

 

[Bearach]

I just finished testing the solution for how to obtain a 64-bit version of Windows 8. The Windows 8 download from Microsoft matches the system you download from. So if you purchase the download on a system running 32-bit Windows, your downloaded setup file will also be 32-bit.

But you can still legally get a 64-bit downloader, as long as you have access to a PC running any 64-bit version of Windows (including Windows 8).

After you completed the purchase, you received an email confirmation that included a product key and a download link. From a 64-bit PC, click that download link and enter the product key you received. When download finishes, you'll have a 64-bit Windows installer that you can save as an ISO or burn to bootable media.

I didn't test the above installer that Bearach linked to since he posted no details as to how he obtained it i.e., is it a link to a 32-bit or a 64-bit installer?


.

The above link, is a download link for the Windows 8 setup. It downloads whichever version you're eligible for.

 

[WelshBloke]

The above link, is a download link for the Windows 8 setup. It downloads whichever version you're eligible for.

It downloads an x86 version if you use a windows x86 os to download it. Same with the 64bit version (you need to download it to a 64bit os).

 

[Bearach]

It downloads an x86 version if you use a windows x86 os to download it. Same with the 64bit version (you need to download it to a 64bit os).

Which is what I said, you're eligible to upgrade the OS on your device from 32bit > 32bit, 64bit > 64bit.

 

[WelshBloke]

Which is what I said, you're eligible to upgrade the OS on your device from 32bit > 32bit, 64bit > 64bit.

I'm eligible for either version though. I don't want to upgrade I want a clean install.

 

[Bearach]

I'm eligible for either version though. I don't want to upgrade I want a clean install.

Use your 64bit machine to download from the link in your email? Then make the ISO how I said?

 

[WelshBloke]

Use your 64bit machine to download from the link in your email? Then make the ISO how I said?

I didn't have a 64bit install to use.

 

[Bearach]

I didn't have a 64bit install to use.

I should have read the whole thread more thoroughly. I'm glad you got it sorted. I can understand Microsoft wanting to only allow certain upgrade paths with the upgrade... But I do wish they offered an option to download the ISO, and not a sometimes unreliable installer.

 

[Bubbaleone]

I'm eligible for either version though. I don't want to upgrade I want a clean install.

OK...I shouldn't have skimmed over the thread either; my apologies. I downloaded and ran the installer, created an ISO, and copied it to a thumb drive on my friends Server 2003 64-bit machine to test the part about any 64-bit version will work. Perhaps you know someone, or someone with access to a school computer lab that would do that for you, or just allow you to use their 64-bit machine?

The ISO created by the 64-bit installer isn't an "upgrade" disk. It will certainly perform a direct upgrade from Vista on up, but XP and 2003 require what Microsoft refers to as a "custom" installation. In other words; wipe the drive and do a fresh install. The 64-bit ISO is a full installation disk. I extracted the "setup_help_upgrade_or_custom.rtf" file from the Sources folder of the ISO and quote it here:

Should I choose Upgrade or Custom install?

Choose Upgrade if you:
· Want to keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications in Windows 8. Not all Windows settings and applications will be moved. If you&#8217;re upgrading to Windows Server 2012, no applications are kept.
Choose Custom install if you:
· Want to delete everything on your PC.
· Want to install Windows 8 on a separate drive to multiboot into other operating systems.
· Don&#8217;t have an operating system installed on your PC.
· Aren&#8217;t able to upgrade from the version of Windows that&#8217;s already installed on your PC.
If you choose Upgrade, make sure to do the following before you continue:
· Back up your files to an external hard drive, DVD or CD, USB flash drive, or network folder.
· Find the installation media and installers for the applications that will work and need to be reinstalled in Windows 8.
· If you use a fingerprint reader or another biometric device to sign in to your PC, make sure you write down your password. You&#8217;ll have to type your user name and password the first time you sign in to Windows 8.
Note:
· Your personal files will be moved to windows.old folder.

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[Gilby]

I didn't have a 64bit install to use.

Nor did I. I grabbed an Evaluation ISO of Win 7 64bit from MS, installed that, then ran the Win 8 updater to get an ISO.