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Installing Windows 8.1 via Bootcamp

virginblue4

virginblue4

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Apr 15, 2012
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Hi everyone,

I've purchased Windows 8.1 direct from the Microsoft store and it is available via digital download. How on earth do I install this on my Mac? All the support documents say to insert the disc, yet I don't have one?

I'm running Yosemite currently.

EDIT - Apologies, should have posted in the Yosemite forum not El Capitan.
 
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virginblue4

virginblue4

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Apr 15, 2012
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I'm obviously being very stupid!

I purchased Windows 8.1 Pro Student Edition directly from the Microsoft Store for £49.99 and have been given a product key. To download it, it comes as an .exe file which isn't supported on Mac. So, how the hell do I go about getting the ISO file that is required?
 
crjackson2134

crjackson2134

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Mar 6, 2013
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virginblue4 said:
I'm obviously being very stupid!

I purchased Windows 8.1 Pro Student Edition directly from the Microsoft Store for £49.99 and have been given a product key. To download it, it comes as an .exe file which isn't supported on Mac. So, how the hell do I go about getting the ISO file that is required?
Click to expand...

Log back into your student account and download the DMG version for Mac. They make both file formats available for download. I always download all version available... You never know what you might need it for. The same product code works with both versions.
 
virginblue4

virginblue4

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crjackson2134 said:
Log back into your student account and download the DMG version for Mac. They make both file formats available for download. I always download all version available... You never know what you might need it for. The same product code works with both versions.
Click to expand...

I can't seem to find it?

UPLOAD.png
 
crjackson2134

crjackson2134

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Mar 6, 2013
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You are looking in your downloaded software, it's probably not showing because you didn't download it. Look in the section that shows all apps.

If you still can't find it call the support number and they can send you a link.
 
A

aldrinjtauro

macrumors regular
Jul 3, 2014
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Birmingham, AL
virginblue4 said:
I'm obviously being very stupid!

I purchased Windows 8.1 Pro Student Edition directly from the Microsoft Store for £49.99 and have been given a product key. To download it, it comes as an .exe file which isn't supported on Mac. So, how the hell do I go about getting the ISO file that is required?
Click to expand...
Not trying to condone piracy here, but if you actually purchased a valid Product Key for Windows 8.1 Pro that's designed for a clean install and not an upgrade, you can legally download a clean ISO from a torrent website, use Boot Camp to make a USB installer, and then activate it with the product key you got from Microsoft. Pro should activate just fine, since it's going to communicate with Microsoft anyway. I did this with 8.1 and a Pro Student key I got from my university.
 
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virginblue4

virginblue4

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Apr 15, 2012
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crjackson2134 said:
You are looking in your downloaded software, it's probably not showing because you didn't download it. Look in the section that shows all apps.

If you still can't find it call the support number and they can send you a link.
Click to expand...

I will have to have a look tomorrow morning.

Microsoft support are terrible. That's the reason I came to this forum. They told me it's not possible at all without using a PC to do it.

I appreciate your help :)
 
KdParker

KdParker

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Oct 1, 2010
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virginblue4 said:
So I'm officially at a dead end. Have spoken to Microsoft support again via chat and phone and they are insisting they don't offer dmg download files. They keep sending me this link - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

I just don't know how to do it from there. This link isn't an ISO file is it? I'm totally stuck :(
Click to expand...
Not sure why you are talking with MS. If you have a product key then all you need is the ISO file and you can install using boot camp. You are able to get those from MS too.

http://www.howtogeek.com/186775/how-to-download-windows-7-8-and-8.1-installation-media-legally/

Some advice that should help get you there.
 
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virginblue4

virginblue4

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Apr 15, 2012
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virginblue4

virginblue4

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Apr 15, 2012
2,027
700
United Kingdom
Hi,

So, I went through the create installation media provided by Microsoft and had two options. To download windows to a USB flash drive or to download an ISO file. It said that to download an ISO file, you have to burn it to a disk. Obviously, I don't want to do this, I want to use a USB flash drive, so I chose that option. I haven't yet tried it on my Mac, will this have worked?

If not then I'll have to go the ISO route but then will need to burn to a DVD (seems long winded) or install a converter to convert it to a ISO (don't really want to install any sort of freeware to do this).

Seems very long winded!
 
!!!

!!!

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Aug 5, 2013
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virginblue4 said:
Hi,

So, I went through the create installation media provided by Microsoft and had two options. To download windows to a USB flash drive or to download an ISO file. It said that to download an ISO file, you have to burn it to a disk. Obviously, I don't want to do this, I want to use a USB flash drive, so I chose that option. I haven't yet tried it on my Mac, will this have worked?

If not then I'll have to go the ISO route but then will need to burn to a DVD (seems long winded) or install a converter to convert it to a ISO (don't really want to install any sort of freeware to do this).

Seems very long winded!
Click to expand...
You should download the ISO and "burn" it to a flash drive. I believe Boot Camp will do that for you.
 
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KdParker

KdParker

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virginblue4 said:
Ok. I'll have to give it a go tomorrow when I next have access to a PC.

Will it not stop me from downloading the ISO to a USB drive though? The specific wording is that a DVD is required to choose that option?
Click to expand...
No. I don't even use DVDs anymore.

Just make sure flash drive you use is big enough.

They say you can get away with 8gb but that is too small. go with 16g or 32g minimum.
 
Shirasaki

Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
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In, fact, you have another alternative to do this.
Remember virtual machines? This software can let you run multiple OS in a single machine. What you need to do is download parallel desktop or vmware fusion.
Then, you can simply download any windows 10 preview, and install them in vm.
After completing installation, you can download iso from this virtual machine. Then, you just delete this virtual machine, and make your boot camp disk. Enjoy!
 
!!!

!!!

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Aug 5, 2013
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virginblue4 said:
Thanks, I'll give it a go. My USB is 32GB.
Click to expand...
Download it to the PC. Then copy it to your USB drive. Then copy it to your mac and open up boot camp and follow the instructions. Don't forget the ISO needs to be on the Mac HD because Boot Camp will erase the USB Drive.
 
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