system guide / windows 8.1

Clean installation of Windows 8.1

In this tutorial we will show you how to install Windows 8.1 clean. To do this you will need:

Windows 8.1 installation DVD or USB

After you have created the installation DVD or USB, insert it into the computer you want to install it on and shut it down. Now you will have to enter your BIOS/UEFI setup utility or Boot menu to start the boot from the installation media. In order to do that, turn on the computer and tap continuously on a certain button to access setup or boot menu. To find which key will get you into Setup or Boot menu you can refer to this article on different access keys: desertcrystal.com/bootkeys

If you have entered the BIOS/UEFI setup utility you need to look for boot options/boot sequence and select your DVD or USB as the primary boot device. After you do that, exit saving changes and continue to the next step.
If you have entered the Boot Menu you need to select your installation DVD or USB from the list and continue to the next step.

i noteIf you set everything correctly you might be prompted to press any key to start the installation, so press any key to start it.

The installation will now start. Select your language, time and currency format and keyboard layout and press “Next”.

Press “Install now”.

Enter your product key and press “Next”.

i noteIn case of Windows 8.1 you have to enter a key during installation: you cannot skip this step. If you do not have a key yet, or yours is inaccessible at the time of installation, you can use these generic keys to continue the installation and activate your Windows later:
Windows 8.1: M9Q9P-WNJJT-6PXPY-DWX8H-6XWKK
Windows 8.1 Pro: GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9

Accept the license terms and press “Next”.

Press Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

Now you will see a list of partitions. Highlight each one and press “Delete” at the bottom. After you are done you should be left with Drive 0 Unallocated Space. Highlight it and press “Next”.

Now the installation will start. Wait until it completes; your computer will restart later. When it does, do not press anything, just wait until the next step.

Now you will see personalize options. Select a color scheme and name your PC.

Personalize screen with color scheme and PC name

Now select settings: you can use express settings, or Customize if you’d like to change anything.

Now Windows will try to connect to your Microsoft account. If you do not have one, you can create a local account for now.

Set your account name and password (if you do not want to set up a password, just leave the password box empty) and press “Finish”.

After you press “Finish” the installer will finalize everything, and that’s it: you have installed Windows 8.1.