Preparing for the Installation

If you want to install Windows 8 from a USB device, you need to get the setup files from the DVD to the USB drive. Simply copying them there won’t do. Regardless of whether you have a Windows 8 DVD that you need to get on a flash drive or an ISO file with the same goal, the following tutorial will help you get the installation files copied to a flash drive. It’s a relatively simple process that takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the format of your copy of Windows 8 and your computer’s speed. To complete this process, you need:

A flash drive (4 GB for 32-bit, 8 GB for 64-bit).A Windows 8/8.1 DVD or ISO.Access to a working computer (with a DVD drive if you have a Windows 8 DVD) with Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 installed.

How to Install Windows 8 or 8.1 From a USB Device

The need to install Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 from a USB device is common because most new computers no longer have optical drives. Here’s how to install from a USB.

Booting Windows 8 Setup on a UEFI-Based System

If you have a UEFI-based system, and you still can’t boot Windows 8 Setup from the flash drive, even after following the directions above, there’s still a workaround that might work for you. Once you have an ISO image, come back here and continue with this tutorial to explain how to get it onto a flash drive. To work around this issue: