possible to use a windows 8 ISO with a USB, and then put in a legit CD key?

Feb 14, 2014
184
0
10,710
hey there, im going to be buying windows 8 soon to run on a samsung 840 EVO SSD (which will be the only drive in the computer at first)

I want to put windows 8 on it but i dont want to buy a CD drive which is absolutely useless to me because i wont use it at all apart from the windows installation. So if i download a genuine windows 8 iso from microsoft and input a legitimate CD key i get from purchasing windows 8 in a store, will that just work on a UEFI bios? ive heard UEFI does things a bit differently and the only experience i have with installign windows is using daz loader

thanks
 
Solution
Yes that will work. I did the same thing. A CD key is a CD key.

Use microsofts tool to put the ISO on a USB. I do not by DVD drives anymore. Waste of space/money. Just use the following tool to load an image on to a usb and boot from the usb to download windows using your CD key. It will download the ISO for you. You do not need to get it elsewhere. I believe you may need an empty 8gb USB drive for this to work properly. It will delete everything off the USB.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

gilbadon

Distinguished
Yes that will work. I did the same thing. A CD key is a CD key.

Use microsofts tool to put the ISO on a USB. I do not by DVD drives anymore. Waste of space/money. Just use the following tool to load an image on to a usb and boot from the usb to download windows using your CD key. It will download the ISO for you. You do not need to get it elsewhere. I believe you may need an empty 8gb USB drive for this to work properly. It will delete everything off the USB.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
 
Solution

CheapPizza

Reputable
Nov 21, 2014
23
0
4,540
Yup, did it yesterday myself using the Microsoft link above (Create Media). I didn't have to manual move over any ISO, the program did everything automatically. Just make sure your USB has a high write speed or else it'll take a while. Mine has a 100+mbs speed, so took about 20min for it all; using the Mushkin Ventura Plus 16gb.