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Windows 8.1 Professional

A clean multilingual installation image of the final Windows 8.1 update, kept around for the older hardware and the legacy software that this release still suits better than anything newer.

Version Build 9600.20666 4.28 GB x64 bootable ISO Updated 1 week ago

Overview

What this release is

Windows 8.1 exists in this catalogue for the machines and the software that specifically need it. Some older hardware runs better under it than under anything newer, some legacy applications were certified against it and nothing else, and some industrial and embedded setups were built around it and are not going to be rewritten. For those cases this is the image to install rather than fighting a newer release onto hardware it was never meant for.

The image is the final update of the line, rolled up to the last cumulative level, so it is as complete and settled as this release ever became. It is untouched apart from that update and the activation step, no components removed and no modifications made, and it behaves exactly as the release did when it was current, which is the whole point of keeping a clean copy of it.

The Professional edition carries the features that separate it from the base version, including BitLocker, Remote Desktop host, Hyper-V, group policy, and domain join. On the older business hardware where this release still turns up, those are usually the reason it was chosen in the first place.

The ISO is bootable and writes to a USB stick with any standard imaging tool, and both the UEFI and legacy boot paths are present, which matters on the older machines this release is aimed at. The activation step is applied so the desktop is ready once setup completes.

Feature set

What you get

For legacy needs

The release to install for older hardware and legacy software certified against it and nothing newer.

Final update level

Rolled up to the last cumulative update, as complete and settled as the release became.

Untouched image

No removed components and no modifications, so it behaves exactly as the release did when current.

Professional features

BitLocker, Remote Desktop host, Hyper-V, group policy, and domain join.

Multilingual

Fifteen interface languages selectable during setup from the same image.

Dual boot path

Installs on both UEFI and legacy BIOS systems, which matters on older hardware.

Changes in this build

What changed

Refreshed to the final cumulative update level for the release
Updated the bundled storage and network driver set for compatibility
Fixed the setup stall on machines with certain legacy controllers
Added interface languages to the image
Servicing stack updated so post install updates apply cleanly

Installation

How to install it

Write the ISO to an 8 GB or larger USB stick with a standard imaging tool.
Back up the target drive completely. A clean installation removes existing partitions on it.
Boot from the stick, choose your language, and select Custom installation rather than Upgrade.
Complete setup and reach the desktop.
Confirm the activation state in system properties once the desktop loads.

Hardware

System requirements

Processor	1 GHz or faster
Memory	2 GB recommended for the 64-bit image
Graphics	DirectX 9 compatible with WDDM 1.0 driver
Storage	20 GB free space
Display	1024 x 768 minimum
System	UEFI or legacy BIOS, x64 processor

Package

Release information

Title	Windows 8.1 Professional
Version	Build 9600.20666
Developer	Microsoft
Category	Operating Systems
Platform	x64 bootable ISO
Package size	4.28 GB
Interface languages	Multilingual (15 interface languages)
Release identifier	BS-96002066
Listed	5 years ago
Last rebuilt	1 week ago
Total downloads	294,433

Questions

Before you start

Why install this rather than Windows 10?

For hardware or software that specifically needs it. On a general machine a newer release is the better choice.

Is the image modified?

No. It is clean apart from the final cumulative update and the activation step.

Does it still receive updates?

The release has reached the end of its servicing, so treat it as a fixed build rather than one that keeps updating.

Will an existing licence carry over?

A licence tied to the hardware reactivates after a clean install of the same edition.