Microsoft has since relented:
Download an updated copy of Windows 8.1 with Update 1 and use the instructions in the following article to reinstall it:
The new downloader allows for selection of:
⦁ Language
⦁ Windows 8.1 Version
⦁ Architecture
There will be no ISO downloads of Windows 8.1 for the public.
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Anonymous
Microsoft has made it known there will be no .ISO file for Windows 8.1 available to the general public.
"Consumers" here really means any copies of Windows 8 that weren't purchased through Microsoft's Volume Licensing programs. So a small business with 20 PCs to upgrade, for example, will have to do them one at a time via the Windows Store – so that's 20 separate 3.5GB downloads.
The Windows Store is the only way for consumers (non-enterprise, non-IT Pro) to download and install Windows 8.1. No ISOs will be made available, so each device needs to be updated individually via the Windows Store.
UPDATE:
Since I started this discussion, Microsoft has introduced a Media Creation Tool that makes it easy to download a .ISO file and create bootable media:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media
The new downloader allows for selection of:
⦁ Language
⦁ Windows 8.1 Version
⦁ Architecture
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade
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Anonymous
2015-01-28T01:33:11+00:00 -
Anonymous
2015-01-28T00:30:34+00:00 On another note, well done Microsoft, I just got my hands on an .iso via a third-party website. I hope it does not contain viruses. - Moral of the story, I can get hold of an .iso if I want, the question is, does Microsoft want people to download from them so they know it's safe, do they care, it seems not.