The change most users will likely need to make is to the architecture. If you need to change anything such as the default language, edition of Windows 10 (Home or Pro), or the architecture ( 32- or 64-bit), deselect the check box labeled Use the recommended options for this PC. The amount of time it takes will vary depending on your internet speed.By default, the Media Creation Tool will download the same version of Windows that’s on the PC you’re currently using. Now, wait while the tool downloads the Windows 8.1 installation file. The nice thing about this utility is you don’t need to find and download an ISO image of Windows 8.1 first, as I covered in this article. Back up any important data on it and delete everything, as the tool will format the drive and delete everything on it anyway. If you use a USB flash drive, make sure to use one you can dedicate to the Windows 8.1 installation.

Next, select the type of media you want to create on – either DVD or USB flash drive. Launch the Media Creation Tool and select your language and version of Windows 8.1.

You can get the creation tool from this page and click the Create Media button to download it.

To create the installation media, you will need either a blank DVD or USB drive with at least 4 GB of space. With the general availability of Windows 8.1, customers on Windows 8 had until January 12, 2016, to move to Windows 8.1 to remain supported.

Windows 8.1 reached the end of Mainstream Support on January 9, 2018, and will reach end of Extended Support on January 10, 2023. Update: Windows 8.1 is nearing its end of support from Microsoft: Using this tool, you can easily create media to reinstall or do a clean installation of either the 32 or 64-bit version.

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