Windows 8 Iso Needed

I have a laptop which needed the HDD replaced. It came preloaded (on the original HDD) with Windows 8 on a recovery partition, with the product key embedded in the BIOS. I know that if I have an ISO copy of Win 8, it will automatically pick up the product key, however when I checked around on the Microsoft website, they only have ISOs of Win 8.1, which won't work with the embedded key on this machine. It has a spot where I can download an ISO of Win 8, but it requires you to enter the key before you can download it. Does anybody know where I can get a legit copy of Win 8 so that I can reinstall on the new HDD? Thanks.

 

For everyone out there, I have a program which has more than paid for itself over the years. Mind you, it requires connecting a failing drive which is still readable to your PC. Recover Keys has yet to fail me in obtaining a client's license key and they tend to enjoy the "clean installs" a Microsoft image grants, versus all the crapware an OEM disc tends to harbor.

RecoverKeys: https://recover-keys.com/

 

Thanks for the link DavidGP, problem is that one's for 8.1, which won't work with the embedded key on this machine. On a side note, I should have mentioned earlier, it's an HP laptop, and x64. I have an OEM Dell disc which I requested a while back from them in order to install an SSD, but I'm not sure if using it will cause driver issues etc... I'll probably try it anyway.

Mekanic - Does that software you are referring to just recover the embedded key? If so, That would work in downloading the 8 ISO from MS...

 

Yeah it's definitely close to 4GB. Again, thanks for the link, I'm trying to avoid anything HP though. They're the worst I've ever seen for bloatware. If it comes down to it that's what I'll do though. I don't get why MS offers ISOs of every OS except for 8. Makes no sense.

 

Yeah for sure. Last resort though. Let me know if you find that file....

 

It will only recover a key from a functioning or failing hard drive. Easiest way is to connect it to a desktop, and "Recover Keys" is not freeware. However, it can recover far more than just an OS software key. If the HDD is shot, then you need to get the OEM discs from the manufacturer.

Any time you get a new PC, you should always create the Recovery Discs.

In the freeware category, there is "Magical Jelly Bean":

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

 

Eureka!!

I just double checked my old HDD with various windows images, and it looks like I have a 3.2 GB Windows 8 image, and a 3.27 GB Windows 8.1 image.

If you'd like, I can mail you a copy of each.

 

I really appreciate the offer, but it's seems like a bit of a nuisance for you to go through mailing it and everything. If I used one of the key recovery apps to get a key off of another machine running 8, then used it to download the ISO from Microsoft, you think it would be a generic copy? Or would it now only be usable with the key I used to download it?

 

No nuisance at all. Been there, done that many times here. Plus, the W8 disc I'd send along may accept your key and the 8.1 may do so as well. They were created back in 2014.

If you connect your current drive to another PC and recover the key, that is the only real legitimate way to have your own install.

 

The key is embedded in the BIOS of the laptop though isn't it? And once the OS is installed it's obviously also within the OS for activation. So a generic disc would grab the key from the BIOS during installation and the install should still be legit... MS has copies on their site of pretty much every OS except for 8...

 

Yes, the key is embedded. The question is will it pick it up, and it should. However, there are some MS images (.iso file) that would not work with an embedded OEM key. A retail box version usually picks up any key regardless. Stress, usually.

I'm uploading my Windows images to Google Drive, and OneDrive. Such will make it easier to share them in the future...

 

Awesome. Let me know once it's ready...

 

Both W8 images have been uploaded. The earlier Windows versions will be up through the course of this week.

 

K. Are you gonna PM me a link to share the folder?