Windows 8.1 is available for download via USB drive, but it hasn't been officially released on CD yet.
Windows 8.1 is available for download via USB drive, but it hasn't been officially released on CD yet.
You're considering a budget build without an optical drive yet. You're wondering if 8.1 is on USB or still just a CD. You might borrow a drive from your dad's computer for the operating system, but you're concerned about compatibility with newer hardware—maybe around 3 years old. You're also thinking about inserting a CD and copying files to your own USB drive. Looking at Windows 8.1 on Newegg for a 64-bit version could be a good option.
I'm unsure, please use the key and the Microsoft USB creation tool.
You can transfer Windows onto a USB drive and turn it on once installed. The installation doesn't include a USB drive.
You can buy a key or a tangible disk version. You need to save an ISO file (a copy of the Windows 8 disk) and transfer it onto your own USB stick for installation. Microsoft doesn’t supply a physical key.
You can download it straight to USB from Microsoft just like you do from CD or floppy.
I think it would be better to have it on a CD rather than downloading it digitally and trying to transfer it onto a USB. That way, I won't risk damaging the CD. I'm confident the optical drive from my father's computer will function with the new board, so I'll likely choose that method. Thanks everyone!
I haven't used a CD in years, though I believe you still need to enter the key manually. If you make a mistake, it won't lock you out—just retype it. Installing via USB will be much quicker. For flashing the ISO, Rufus is recommended; it's faster than the built-in method.
Doing the key manually wouldn't be a problem, I'm more worried about something going wrong with downloading the OS to the flash drive and not being able to use it if it brakes after spending the $100 for it. Probably highly unlikely but better paranoid than sorry. Plus install speed wouldn't be a problem since it's a one time deal anyway.
You can download a Windows image directly from Microsoft. It's not hard, and there's really 'nothing to go wrong.' If for some reason it doesn't flash the image correctly, you just reflash it. You should at least familiarize yourself with the process, as CD installations are quickly becoming a thing of the past.