📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses how the original poster experienced a crash during Windows 8 setup and lacked an install disk, prompting questions about affordable options. Multiple users advise that Windows 8 or 8.1 can be downloaded for free from Microsoft and recommend using existing factory reset options or creating recovery disks for easier reinstallation. The conversation concludes with a user successfully installing and activating Windows 8.1 via a free download, leveraging the OEM key embedded in the BIOS.
J

JericStudios

New Member
Joined
May 10, 2015
Messages
4
Thread Author #1
So, my laptop has a problem where it crashed while setting up a new account after resetting the laptop, and it said I needed to restart my "install disk" well I didn't have an install disk so I was screwed. I searched around eBay for an affordable Windows 8 Copy but to no avail. So, does anyone know where I can get a low priced Windows 8 Clean Install Disk? If you do know, please link it.

Thanks,
Jason
 

Sort by date Sort by votes
ussnorway

ussnorway

Windows Forum Team
Staff member
Joined
May 22, 2012
Messages
4,598
#2
Upvote 1 Downvote
Solution
patcooke

patcooke

Microsoft MVP
Microsoft MVP
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
5,688
#3
ussnorway said:
Most Windows 8 laptop have a factory reset option built into the hdd when sold... that would be your best bet.
Click to expand...

Definitely - easiest quickest and cheapest (like zero cost) and on top of all that - installing a fresh copy will require you to identify, download and install drivers for your specific laptop whereas booting into a recovery partition will have them all set up for you. Whilst you are at it, you should have burned some recovery disks from the hard drive recovery image so that if and when your hard drive fails you can run a recovery by booting from the dvd's. You should do that asap and keep em somewhere safe.
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
eskimoshoog

eskimoshoog

Active Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
10
#4
That free Microsoft link works a charm thankyou ussorway, had to delete entire hard drive and used the download via USB at startup, followed the prompts and a fresh copy of Windows 8.1 is now operating, clicked activate Windows 8.1 and it automatically found the OEM key embedded on Bios? and is activated and set to go. :)
 

Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.