Open Rufus and click the small arrow next to "Select," then choose .
Rufus is a free, open-source utility that can often script the download of older Windows ISOs directly. Connect a USB drive with at least 8GB of space.
Before installing, ensure your hardware meets these minimum 64-bit specifications: windows 8.1 download 64 bit media creation tool
For pre-built systems (laptops or desktops), you may need to contact your device manufacturer (e.g., Dell , HP, or Lenovo) to request recovery media specific to your hardware. 2. Creating Bootable Media Without the Official Tool
Since the dedicated Media Creation Tool is unavailable, you can manually create a bootable 64-bit USB drive using third-party utilities or built-in Windows commands. Method A: Using Rufus (Recommended) Open Rufus and click the small arrow next
Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver. 4. Security Risks and Support Operating Windows 8.1 in 2026 carries significant risks: Does Windows 8.1 have a media creation tool?
Microsoft no longer provides a direct public download for the Windows 8.1 ISO on its primary software download page. Instead, users have two main legitimate paths: Before installing, ensure your hardware meets these minimum
Once the ISO is downloaded, Rufus will automatically configure the settings for a bootable drive. Click to burn the media. Method B: Manual Command Line (PowerShell)
If you already have a 64-bit ISO file, you can use PowerShell to format and prep your USB drive: Open as an administrator. Identify your USB drive number using Get-Disk . Run these commands (replace X with your drive number): powershell