Some Windows Store Alternatives to Update Windows 8 to 8.1

2 min. read

Updated on October 4, 2023

updated on October 4, 2023

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The traditional and suggested way to make the jump from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 is through the Windows Store, but there are many interested in obtaining an alternative. We try to find the available options.

Recently, somebody asked the following on the Microsoft community forums – what is a windows store alternative to update Windows 8 to 8.1? And while some of you will go ahead and ask – why don’t you like that kind of update?, you should know that there are some well-argumented reasons why one would want to do that. Here’s what the same user is saying:

Hi, I have a friend with windows 8 laptop (Acer Aspire). He wants to update it to windows 8.1. The problem is, he can’t actually download it via windows store as this download is about 3.6GB with slow internet speed. Is there any other way? It would be great if he can update windows via ISO file. He has his windows 8 product key. How can I help him?

So, here are the solutions I know so far:

Alternative ways to update to Windows 8.1 instead of Windows Store

You will need to download the Windows 8.1 ISO and then use a generic key found available online that will allow it to install because your Windows 8 key will not work. Thus, once installed, use your Windows 8 key and it will work.
Do a fresh install of Windows 8.1 like this – follow this link https://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only and then download both the files on that site and then start the “Windows8-Setup”. After that, provide your Windows 8 product key and when it starts to download the file, close the program and start the “WindowsSetupBox”. It will download Windows 8.1 ISO after which you can follow the same steps as in the above mentioned method

That’s about it. If you know another means of doing it, please share it with the community, as we’ll definitely appreciate your input. I’ll be keeping the eye on other methods, if there are some.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.