In this article, we will guide you on how to reinstall Windows directly from the internal hard drive. We will also provide a complete guide on how to install Windows 8.1 Pro and related FAQs.
Reinstalling Windows from Internal Hard Drive
Sometimes, reinstalling or repairing Windows is necessary to fix common issues like slow performance, virus infections, or software malfunctions. Instead of using a bootable USB or CD-ROM, you can also reinstall Windows directly from the internal hard drive to save time and effort. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Reinstalling Windows will erase all data on your hard drive, including your personal files, programs, and settings. Therefore, it is essential to backup your data to an external drive or cloud service before proceeding. You can use the built-in backup and restore tool in Windows or third-party software such as EaseUS Todo Backup, Macrium Reflect, or AcronisTrue Image.
Step 2: Create a Windows Installation Folder
To reinstall Windows from the internal hard drive, you need to create a Windows installation folder that contains all the necessary files. You can create this folder on the same drive where Windows is installed or another partition that has enough space. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open File Explorer and create a new folder named ‘WinSetup’ or any other name you prefer.
- Download the Windows ISO file from Microsoft’s website or any other reliable source.
- Mount the ISO file by double-clicking it or using software like WinRAR, 7-Zip, or Daemon Tools.
- Copy all the files from the mounted ISO to the ‘WinSetup’ folder.
Step 3: Modify The Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
The next step is to modify the BCD, which is a database that contains boot configuration parameters for Windows. This is necessary to add the new installation folder as a boot option. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter: ‘
diskpart‘ - Type the following command and press Enter: ‘
list volume” - Identify the drive letter of the partition where the ‘WinSetup’ folder is located.
- Type the following command and press Enter, replacing ‘X’ with the drive letter:
‘BCDBoot X:\WinSetup /s X:” - Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.
- Select the new boot option that corresponds to the ‘WinSetup’ folder.
Step 4: Reinstall Windows
The final step is to reinstall Windows from the internal hard drive using the installation folder you created. Here are the steps to follow:
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.
- Select the new boot option that corresponds to the ‘WinSetup’ folder.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install or repair Windows.
- Activate Windows with your product key or digital license.
- Restore your data from the backup.
Installing Windows 8.1 Pro
Windows 8.1 Pro is an operating system that was released in 2013 as an upgrade to Windows 8. It includes new features such as Start button, enhanced search, multitasking, and security enhancements. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install Windows 8.1 Pro:
Step 1: Check System Requirements
Before installing Windows 8.1 Pro, make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. Here are the requirements:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2.
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit).
- Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit).
- Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver.
Step 2: Backup Your Data
Similar to reinstalling Windows, you should backup your data before installing Windows 8.1 Pro to avoid data loss. You can use the same backup and restore tools as mentioned earlier.
Step 3: Create a Bootable USB or DVD Disk
To install Windows 8.1 Pro, you need to create a bootable USB or DVD disk that contains the installation files. Here are the steps to create a bootable USB disk:
- Download the Windows 8.1 Pro ISO file from Microsoft’s website or any other reliable source.
- Connect a USB flash drive that has at least 8 GB of free space.
- Download and install the free software called Rufus.
- Launch Rufus and select the USB drive as the target device.
- Select the Windows 8.1 Pro ISO file as the source and leave the other settings as default.
- Click the ‘Start’ button and wait for Rufus to complete the process.
Step 4: Boot from the USB or DVD Disk
After creating a bootable USB or DVD disk, you need to boot your computer from it. Here are the steps to follow:
- Connect the USB or DVD disk to your computer.
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings.
- Select the USB or DVD disk as the first boot device.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS or UEFI settings.
Step 5: Install Windows 8.1 Pro
The final step is to install Windows 8.1 Pro using the bootable USB or DVD disk. Here are the steps to follow:
- Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your language, time, and keyboard settings.
- Enter your product key or skip this step if you don’t have one.
- Choose the installation type: Upgrade or Custom (Advanced).
- If you choose Upgrade, Windows will keep your existing files, programs, and settings. If you choose Custom, Windows will erase all data on the selected drive and install a fresh copy of Windows 8.1 Pro.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Activate Windows with your product key or digital license.
- Restore your data from the backup.
FAQs
Q1. Can I downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 8.1 Pro?
Yes, you can downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 8.1 Pro if you have a valid product key for Windows 8.1 Pro. However, you will need to perform a clean install of Windows 8.1 Pro, which means you need to backup your data, create a bootable USB or DVD disk, and reinstall Windows. Please note that this process will erase all data on your hard drive, so make sure to backup your data before proceeding.
Q2. How do I activate Windows 8.1 Pro without a product key?
It is not recommended to activate Windows 8.1 Pro without a valid product key or digital license as this is a violation of the software license agreement. However, if you don’t have a product key and need to use Windows 8.1 Pro for a short period, you can try entering a generic product key that Microsoft provides for testing purposes. Here are some generic product keys for Windows 8.1 Pro:
- GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9
- HMCNV-VVBFX-7HMBH-CTY9B-B4FXY
- 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Please note that generic product keys may not work in all situations, and you should obtain a genuine product key as soon as possible to avoid any legal or technical issues.
Conclusion
Reinstalling or installing Windows is a common task that requires some technical knowledge and preparation. However, by following the steps outlined above, you can easily reinstall Windows from the internal hard drive or install Windows 8.1 Pro using a bootable USB or DVD disk. Remember to backup your data and activate Windows with a valid product key or digital license to avoid any problems in the future. If you have any other questions or concerns, please leave a comment or watch the video below for more information.
