Download Windows 8.1 .iso

does this procedure automatically recognize 8.0 pro?  I have retail pro installed; need for any 8.1 installation to upgrade to 8.1 pro as well..

This will work for Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Professional retail. In all the screenshots listed it is a Windows 8.1 Professional install.

Further question:  I have Intel rapid start and Intel rapid storage installed.  These require F6 disk installation during installation of operating system.

My question is whether using the clean install will not give me the ability to restore the Intel functionalities?

Concern is, why I would like Dell to respond to my problem, is that after Dell tried and tried to re-install windows 8.0 on my system shortly after I bought it, they gave up (f6 they provided me just would not work) and sent me a new factory system that had functionalities correctly installed.  I have no confidence the f6 files I have now will work, or that I can restore the Intel functions using your suggested ISO.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Well I need to know what model of system you have and what F6-Flpy drivers you tried and finally if they were extracted properly when you attempted to load them.

Then as much as I hate to say it, I think you're going to have to reinstall 7 and do the upgrades again. Unless someone else knows of a working (and legal!) method to get straight to 8.1, or as close as possible.

To both posts above:

I am certain I can get the correct f6 files from Intel.  The ones I have seemed to load OK during installation of windows 8, but we couldn't get a successful windows 8 installation; therefore Dell replaced the system.  If I tried a clean install of windows 8.1 from ISO, I would just go to Intel and download the requisite files. 

I don't know if Dell has set up anything that will interfere.  I notice when I backed up my operating system and program files with Acronis, I had several volumes on C drive that don't show up anywhere in control panel or file management tools (device manager, windows explorer). 

Chelseawoolf:  yes, that is why for the time being I am content with Windows 8 pro.  Until I can get a straight answer either from Dell or Microsoft, or perhaps a local friend or technician that increases my confidence enough to try to upgrade, I will not tamper with success.  I can't go back to Windows 7 because my system was delivered with windows 8.0 standard; I upgraded to pro via retail disk.

I just don't understand why/how MS could issue an upgrade and it be so complicated or impossible to upgrade.  I haven't pursued too much with Dell, but I am imagining that the stock answer will be that I have to resolve it with MS since my 8.0 pro is a retail upgrade to 8.0.  I have low confidence about there being a configuration issue, responsibility of Dell, that is preventing my upgrade.  The f6 issue should not interfere with the upgrade, yet somehow I think it may be the culprit.  Dunno.  Wish there was a way I could find out.

Since I love 8.0 anyway and have no operating issues, and can find no one who sees any benefit from upgrading to 8.1 other than getting their desktop back (please - give me a break.  the new interface is great), I will stick with what I have.  I don't understand the f6 and RAID process well enough yet to be completely confident (I've installed RAID before on windows systems desktops, but like I said, I don't know how Dell has stuck its stuff in there ...) in proceeding.  The Intel capability is a key use of my SSD and overall performance, so I don't want to lose it.

Actually, I think I'll try calling Microsoft to see if their tech people have had any experiences with this problem.  Usually when I do, though, they tell me I have to go to Dell.  Perhaps because my 8.0 pro is retail, they may offer to help me.  I'll see.

Thanks for the quick reply guys, I'll keep trudging on!

Then as much as I hate to say it, I think you're going to have to reinstall 7 and do the upgrades again. Unless someone else knows of a working (and legal!) method to get straight to 8.1, or as close as possible.

There is a legal way to obtain the retail Windows 8.1 .iso and clean install with a Windows 8.0 product key however 2 workarounds are needed, it is explained in detail here:

Download Windows 8.1..iso

Just to let you know: I loaded windows 8.1 from the iso per your exact instructions.  Went like a charm with no trouble whatsoever.

I did find a new set of drivers on Intel site for the SATA f6 requirement and they took without a problem.

Dell also, I note, has a robust set of drivers for 8.1 for my machine on the site now.

I have a fresh, clean install (which is a good thing). 

The only thing that does not function properly is the Intel Rapid Start.  I did not change the disk formatting from previous when it was "working" - I put it this way "" because I don't miss it, it was buggy anyway at best and my system runs super smooth right now so I am unconcerned.  If I ever decide I really want RST, it will be just a matter of figuring out a setting or two.

I want to thank you for the direction, but please, PLEASE, know: of hundreds of directions I've gotten from techies and gearheads (hoping I am not offending your professionalism here, which is evident) this is THE FIRST set of instructions I could follow literally step by step all the way through to successful conclusion.  Clear and complete; explanation provided where needed, but no unnecessary wordiness.

THANK YOU :-)

Great, glad it worked out for you. :)

I have been writing wikies and guides with the intent that they are easy to understand.

I have made a full solution for the retail install but it does not apply to an OEM install. I have submitted my solutions to a TechCentre challenge on Windows OS Migration:

http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/b/techcenter/archive/2013/12/11/take-the-ultimate-tech-challenge-on-os-migration.aspx

Stating the biggest problem is the state of installation media and that Microsoft have a few things they need to rectify.

John, the best thing you can do is phone Dell Technical Support as you reside in the UK and request a Windows 8.0 Reinstallation DVD/USB. These should have no additional drivers included and just be a clean Windows 8.0 image which will work on your Dell system.

Follow Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows 8.1 (which I have just updated to incorporate the most feasible way to clean install Windows 8.0 to 8.1 OEM):

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/

Essentially clean install with the Windows 8.0 DVD and then install the KB2871389 update. If you have basic functionality i.e. can connect to the Internet then install the update via the Microsoft Store. If not only install the Intel Chipset and then the Wireless card to allow you to connect to the Internet then update via the Microsoft Store.

Once you have updated to Windows 8.1 (uninstall the Chipset and Wireless Card drivers if you installed them) and then install the rest of the system drivers in the correct order.

Doing things this way will ensure that there are no third party or driver conflicts with the Windows 8.1 Update and you should get full performance.

Of course this solution is much more inefficient than I would of instructed with the likes of Windows 7 but its the best you can do as Microsoft have made things extremely difficult otherwise.

Get Dell Drivers from the Dell FTP Website: http://ftp.dell.com/published/Pages/index.html which works better than Drivers and Downloads.

The guide will explain in more detail.

Hi Nataku4,

I know all that and that is exactly the problem. I use a large variety of software and that reinstall takes DAYS.  Neither Dell nor Microsoft offer OEM purchasers a way for a simple repair installation and the inbuilt windows 8.1 upgrade "return you computer etc" does NOT work because we do not have the media.

The least Dell could no is make a downloadable image for us, they must have it because there are PC with 8.1 on sale. It could easily be included on the driver etc update site.

Its a Microsoft fault. Microsoft made Windows 8.0 product keys incompatible with the Windows 8.1 downloader and Windows 8.1 installation media.

Thus if Dell provided Windows 8.1 media for a system which came with Windows 8.0 the product key wouldn't be accepted.

Moreover Microsoft fail to provide a .iso and a standalone update.

Dell could however make procurement of installation media easier.

The end result just makes things awkward for the customer. I don't know why Microsoft made things so difficult with installation media.

As mentioned I have been trying to raise the issue with Dell on multiple occasions. Actually I have been raising the issue of installation media actively since 2011. When Windows 8 was released and there was no .iso there was a problem but with the messed up deployment of Windows 8.1 the problem is obviously worse. Despite being one of the most popular ideas on IdeaStorm, it has always been deemed a Microsoft Issue by Dell and I have never seen it get taken any further. This is why I had posted on the TechCentre forum when Dell/Microsoft raised an idea about OS migration:

http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/b/techcenter/archive/2013/12/11/take-the-ultimate-tech-challenge-on-os-migration.aspx

I would suggest you use a free version of Acronis as instructed in my Windows Reinstallation Guide to make a hard drive backup after you clean install Windows 8.0/8.1. Maybe 1 backup before installing Dell Drivers and the other after installing them. This is documented within A Clean install of Windows 8.1 in my Windows Reinstallation Guide.

Anyway the ideal solution would be a Windows 8.1 .iso. There are many rumours that a MSDN/Technet .iso will do the trick for you. Certainly many people have reported it to work flawlessly with Windows 8.0.

For Windows 8.1 as mentioned the media will reject Windows 8.0 OEM/retail product keys. Thus you may install using a generic product key and then use the change product key and input your OEM product key or by running an elevated command prompt and typing in slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. There are 2 catches however.

Product Key. One you don't have the OEM product key. There are rumours that this however can be obtained using a free utility called RW-Everything. If you then click on the ACPI Table button at the top and then click them MSDM tab you should get your Windows 8.0 product key. 

I would recommend doing this anyway as it can be useful to know your product key in case of later Microsoft Product Activation issues.

Media. This is the major problem. Obtaining the WIndows 8.1 core .iso. MSDN.Technet .isos are only available for subscribed customers. i.e. customers who pay for a license. So officially either you will need to pay for such a subscription or buy a new Windows 8.1 (Core) license with boxed media. Unofficially many users are in the same boat as you and the .isos are posted in a large number of unofficial locations which of course I don't recommend using.

Again I have not tried anything with a Windows 8.0/8.1 OEM product key as I seen these problems occurring in advance and actually built my 2 last systems and installed Windows 7 on them. I needed to do this for specialist application and hardware. So I would not suggest going out in a rush to buy a new Windows 8.1 license just to get media.