Update 7/31/2020: Windows 8.1 is long outdated, but technically supported through 2023. If you need to download an ISO to reinstall the full version of the operating system, you can download one from Microsoft here.
If you are still using Microsoft Windows 8.1, we recommend you at least begin considering what OS you will use in the future. It's mid-2020 and Win 8.1 will shuffle off the mortal coil in January 2023. You can still qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10 if you own a valid Windows 8.1 license, despite the fact that Microsoft formally ended its upgrade program five years ago. Additionally, Windows 10 has the same system requirements as Windows 8.1, so if you can run the latter, you can also run the former.
Free download Windows Phone Windows Phone for Mac OS X. Windows Phone (was Windows Phone 7 Connector) lets your syncronize your favorite music, videos, photos and podcasts from iTunes and iPhoto to your Windows Phone 7, so you can take your media. Create a Windows login account name and password. Enter the Windows Product Key. Select the Windows version you're using. Select the level of integration. If you want to share your Mac documents with Windows, you'll want More Seamless. If you prefer to keep Windows and Mac data separate, use More Isolated. Free Games; Fortnite for Windows, Mac and Android The #1 Battle Royale game! Squad up and compete to be the last one standing in 100 player PvP. Battle your enemies. Survive the longest.
If you are somehow still stuck on Windows 8.0 and do not want to go to the hassle of a full OS swap, we recommend running Windows Update immediately and downloading all available patches for your system, including the Windows 8.1 update, which will likely be offered to you by default. If you want to download just the Windows 8.1 update files, you can do so here.
Original story below, from 2013:
Windows 8.1 has been released. If you're using Windows 8, upgrading to Windows 8.1 is both easy and free. If you're using another operating system (Windows 7, Windows XP, OS X), you can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows 8.1 Pro), or opt for one of the free methods listed below. To download and install Windows 8.1 for free, follow the guide below.
How to download Windows 8.1 for free
If you don't want to wait for October 17 or 18, there are two options for downloading Windows 8.1: You can obtain a copy (and a license key) from a friend/colleague with an MSDN, TechNet, or DreamSpark (student) subscription, or you can download a Windows 8.1 RTM ISO from your favorite file-sharing website (The Pirate Bay, Mega, etc.)
While we're not going to write a guide on how to obtain Windows 8.1 RTM from non-official sources, we will at least tell you to check the SHA-1 hash of the ISO that you download to make sure that it's legitimate. If you hit up the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and then click Details under the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, you'll find the SHA-1 hash. If you then use File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) on the ISO, the hash should match. If it doesn't, assume the ISO has been compromised and download another. (But do make sure that you're checking the right SHA-1 hash on the MSDN website; your ISO might be mislabeled).
The other easier, and completely legal, option is to download the Windows 8.1 Preview from Microsoft. It's not as snappy as the final (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Bear in mind that if you go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8.1 will require a few more steps (discussed in the next section).
How to install Windows 8.1 for free
Once you have the Windows 8.1 ISO on your hard drive, the installation process is painless. Before you begin, you should consider backing up your important files and documents, but it's not really necessary. You should also ensure that you have plenty of free hard drive space (20GB+).
If you're already running Windows 8 and you downloaded the RTM ISO from somewhere other than the Windows Store, you can install Windows 8.1 by mounting the downloaded ISO in Explorer by double-clicking it, and then running the installer. If you're on Windows 7, XP, or (bless your soul) Vista, you'll need to burn the ISO to a USB thumb drive or DVD, or mount the ISO using a third-party virtual drive tool, like Magic ISO.
If you already have Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8.1 is as simple as visiting the Windows Store and downloading the free update.
In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If you upgrade from Windows 8.1 Preview, however, you will lose your installed apps, unless you first run a cversion.ini removal utility.
Mac 24hr foundation. Once you've installed Windows 8.1, you should check out our extensive collection of Windows 8.1 tips and tricks, and be sure to check our Windows 8.1 review and hands-on impressions to ensure that you're making the most of all the new features.
Now Read:
Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information.
We've made it so easy to get Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop®. Here is the easiest the fastest way of getting Windows 10 running on your Mac with Parallels Desktop, even if you do not have a license for Windows 10. You can now purchase and download Microsoft Windows directly from the Parallels Desktop installation with a few simple clicks!
Note: Before you can install Windows 10, please double-check the following requirements to have the best experience with Microsoft Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop:
- Check Windows 10 system requirements that can be found directly from Microsoft
- Make sure you're running the latest build of Parallels Desktop
As a new user, you will be prompted by the Installation Assistant to download and install Windows 10 as an automatic download, as seen below:
(Figure A)
If you select 'Install Windows,' this will begin a download of Microsoft Windows 10 automatically.
Lightroom and photoshop for mac. If you decide to select 'Skip' but still need to download Windows 10, you can manually 'Add New' virtual machine by following this pathway:
Parallels Desktop > File > New
This will bring up the Installation Assistant that will walk you through creating a new virtual machine.
(Figure B)
In Figure B , 'Get Windows 10 from Microsoft' is selected. Once you hit 'Continue,' you will be directed to a new screen that allows you to choose which version of Windows 10 you'd like to purchase. See Figure C below.
(Figure C)
In Figure C, you have an option to purchase Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro edition directly from the Microsoft store.
If you already have a Windows 10 license key, you can download Windows 10 as a virtual machine and enter in the license key directly into the virtual machine to complete set up. In Figure B, you're able to select 'Download Windows 10.' Selecting this option and pressing 'Continue' will prompt you to the download page for Windows 10, as seen below in Figure D.
Free download Windows Phone Windows Phone for Mac OS X. Windows Phone (was Windows Phone 7 Connector) lets your syncronize your favorite music, videos, photos and podcasts from iTunes and iPhoto to your Windows Phone 7, so you can take your media. Create a Windows login account name and password. Enter the Windows Product Key. Select the Windows version you're using. Select the level of integration. If you want to share your Mac documents with Windows, you'll want More Seamless. If you prefer to keep Windows and Mac data separate, use More Isolated. Free Games; Fortnite for Windows, Mac and Android The #1 Battle Royale game! Squad up and compete to be the last one standing in 100 player PvP. Battle your enemies. Survive the longest.
If you are somehow still stuck on Windows 8.0 and do not want to go to the hassle of a full OS swap, we recommend running Windows Update immediately and downloading all available patches for your system, including the Windows 8.1 update, which will likely be offered to you by default. If you want to download just the Windows 8.1 update files, you can do so here.
Original story below, from 2013:
Windows 8.1 has been released. If you're using Windows 8, upgrading to Windows 8.1 is both easy and free. If you're using another operating system (Windows 7, Windows XP, OS X), you can either buy a boxed version ($120 for normal, $200 for Windows 8.1 Pro), or opt for one of the free methods listed below. To download and install Windows 8.1 for free, follow the guide below.
How to download Windows 8.1 for free
If you don't want to wait for October 17 or 18, there are two options for downloading Windows 8.1: You can obtain a copy (and a license key) from a friend/colleague with an MSDN, TechNet, or DreamSpark (student) subscription, or you can download a Windows 8.1 RTM ISO from your favorite file-sharing website (The Pirate Bay, Mega, etc.)
While we're not going to write a guide on how to obtain Windows 8.1 RTM from non-official sources, we will at least tell you to check the SHA-1 hash of the ISO that you download to make sure that it's legitimate. If you hit up the MSDN Subscriber Downloads page, and then click Details under the version that you've obtained from elsewhere, you'll find the SHA-1 hash. If you then use File Checksum Integrity Verifier (FCIV) on the ISO, the hash should match. If it doesn't, assume the ISO has been compromised and download another. (But do make sure that you're checking the right SHA-1 hash on the MSDN website; your ISO might be mislabeled).
The other easier, and completely legal, option is to download the Windows 8.1 Preview from Microsoft. It's not as snappy as the final (RTM/GA) build, though, and has quite a few bugs/missing features. Bear in mind that if you go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8.1 will require a few more steps (discussed in the next section).
How to install Windows 8.1 for free
Once you have the Windows 8.1 ISO on your hard drive, the installation process is painless. Before you begin, you should consider backing up your important files and documents, but it's not really necessary. You should also ensure that you have plenty of free hard drive space (20GB+).
If you're already running Windows 8 and you downloaded the RTM ISO from somewhere other than the Windows Store, you can install Windows 8.1 by mounting the downloaded ISO in Explorer by double-clicking it, and then running the installer. If you're on Windows 7, XP, or (bless your soul) Vista, you'll need to burn the ISO to a USB thumb drive or DVD, or mount the ISO using a third-party virtual drive tool, like Magic ISO.
If you already have Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8.1 is as simple as visiting the Windows Store and downloading the free update.
In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved. If you upgrade from Windows 8.1 Preview, however, you will lose your installed apps, unless you first run a cversion.ini removal utility.
Mac 24hr foundation. Once you've installed Windows 8.1, you should check out our extensive collection of Windows 8.1 tips and tricks, and be sure to check our Windows 8.1 review and hands-on impressions to ensure that you're making the most of all the new features.
Now Read:
Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information.
We've made it so easy to get Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop®. Here is the easiest the fastest way of getting Windows 10 running on your Mac with Parallels Desktop, even if you do not have a license for Windows 10. You can now purchase and download Microsoft Windows directly from the Parallels Desktop installation with a few simple clicks!
Note: Before you can install Windows 10, please double-check the following requirements to have the best experience with Microsoft Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop:
- Check Windows 10 system requirements that can be found directly from Microsoft
- Make sure you're running the latest build of Parallels Desktop
As a new user, you will be prompted by the Installation Assistant to download and install Windows 10 as an automatic download, as seen below:
(Figure A)
If you select 'Install Windows,' this will begin a download of Microsoft Windows 10 automatically.
Lightroom and photoshop for mac. If you decide to select 'Skip' but still need to download Windows 10, you can manually 'Add New' virtual machine by following this pathway:
Parallels Desktop > File > New
This will bring up the Installation Assistant that will walk you through creating a new virtual machine.
(Figure B)
In Figure B , 'Get Windows 10 from Microsoft' is selected. Once you hit 'Continue,' you will be directed to a new screen that allows you to choose which version of Windows 10 you'd like to purchase. See Figure C below.
(Figure C)
In Figure C, you have an option to purchase Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro edition directly from the Microsoft store.
If you already have a Windows 10 license key, you can download Windows 10 as a virtual machine and enter in the license key directly into the virtual machine to complete set up. In Figure B, you're able to select 'Download Windows 10.' Selecting this option and pressing 'Continue' will prompt you to the download page for Windows 10, as seen below in Figure D.
Windows 10 For Mac Free
(Figure D)
After you select 'Install Windows,' your download will begin. This download time is dependent on your internet connection, so it could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple hours.
Once completed with the above download, you will be able to enter the Windows 10 license key in the screen below:
(Figure E)
After entering the Windows 10 license key, you will have full access to the Microsoft Windows operating system to meet your needs. The Windows 10 OS will show up in your Control Center as a virtual machine.
(Figure F)
In the above Figure F, you can click to start your virtual machine and run Windows on Mac without rebooting.
You're done! Easy peasy, right? Enjoy using Windows 10 on your Mac to run popular software such as Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, and thousands more.
Here are a few alternative methods for creating Windows 10 virtual machine using Parallels Desktop:
Migrate your PC as a new virtual machine which can be read about here: http://kb.parallels.com/en/123929
Set up Parallels Desktop based on an existing Boot Camp partition: http://kb.parallels.com/112941
Set up a Parallels Desktop virtual machine using an external USB stick: http://kb.parallels.com/123364
Free Mac Os For Windows
Need a Microsoft Windows operating system to get started with your educational software? Buy directly below:
How To Get Windows For Free On Mac
Looking to make the most out of your Mac by running Windows through Parallels Desktop? Download a free 14-day trial and get started today!
