How To Buy Windows 8.1
Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, I’ve been thinking about upgrading but I don’t know where to buy Windows 8.1, should I purchase a digital upgrade so there’s no need for shipping and delivery?” - Jeremy L., USA
Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:
- Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
- Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
- Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.
Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.
Wally’s Answer: If you want to buy Windows 8.1 you can do it easily from Microsoft’s own website. There you have the option to order either a DVD or to buy a downloadable version of Windows 8.1
Should I buy a Windows 8.1 DVD or the downloadable version?
Buying the downloadable version is much easier than buying the boxed version. Although, you will have to wait for the shipping and so forth. With the downloadable version, you don’t have to wait but you will have to make a bootable USB flash drive to use it. It is very easy to do.
How to Download Windows 8.1 legally?
Here are some ways you can download Windows 8.1 legally:
Student Discount
Students and anyone with a valid .edu account are eligible for the student discount. You can purchase Windows 8.1 Pro using a .edu email address for only $69.99 USD. You will get Windows 8.1 in an ISO that you can then burn to disk or make into a bootable USB.
Buy from Microsoft’s Website
You can buy Windows 8.1 from Microsoft’s own website for $119.99 USD. You can choose to buy the downloadable version or the boxed copy.
Windows 8.1 Trial Version
Another way for you to experience Windows 8.1 is by downloading and installing a free copy of Windows 8.1 Enterprise. The trial period is 90-days. After 90-days the computer will start shutting down after 1-hour intervals. That is when you will have to either buy Windows 8.1 or install a different version of Windows that you own.
Other Not so Legal ways
You can find cracked copies of Windows 8.1 from different websites online. Other than legal issues these downloads are not that safe and may come with malware and other software that may infect your computer from the start. When you buy Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 from Microsoft, you are paying for the license to use it. You need a valid product key to use the operating system.
I lost my copy of Windows 8.1
Even if the ISO file gets deleted or the DVD is lost or damaged, you can still download it by clicking here if you have the product key.
If your computer came pre-installed with Windows 8.1 chances are that it contains a recovery partition that can recover your computer to factory settings and bring back your Windows 8.1 operating system. You can also contact your computer manufacturer and they should send the disk to you for a small fee.
If you bought a retail DVD of Windows 8 than you can Contact Microsoft and ask them for a replacement.
Some Useful Tips:
Tip: You can also choose to buy Windows 8 and then upgrade it to Windows 8.1 for free. It’s cheaper this way but there is a small chance that upgrading Windows might cause small problems. Although I upgraded and I didn’t have any problems.
Tip: If you already own a legal copy or a legal license of Windows 8.1 then you can install it using a bootable USB. Follow the steps in this tutorial.
Tip: You can also make a Windows 8 Recovery Drive. All you need is a computer with Windows 8 installed on it and a flash drive. Here are some instructions on how to do this.
I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.
Is Your PC Healthy?
I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.
Happy Computing! 
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About the Author
Wally PhillipsWindows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.
