Because of a total lack of information on the internet, and comments from Ramhound that (while appreciated) were not backed up with reference or evidence, I decided to do my own test.

I used the Windows Media Creation Tool to download Windows 8.1 Pro, and installed it in a Virtual Machine with networking disabled to prevent automatic updates kicking in.

Conclusion: YES, Update 3 is included. It is identified as KB3000850. You can see it, along with a bunch of other updates, in Control Panel - Installed Updates:

Answer from misha256 on Stack Exchange
🌐
Microsoft Community Hub
techcommunity.microsoft.com › microsoft community hub › communities › products › windows › windows insider program
Does Windows 8.1 have a media creation tool? | Microsoft Community Hub
January 10, 2025 - I can see both Windows 11 and Windows 10 have Media Creation Tool for making bootable USB from ISO. Where to download Windows 8.1 media creation tool? I...
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows › don't know how to get windows 8.1 media creation tool
r/windows on Reddit: Don't know how to get windows 8.1 media creation tool
January 15, 2025 -

Long story short, I updated my older laptop to windows 10 and it's very slow and can't be used properly now. How can I get back windows 8.1 media creation tool if microsoft doesn't support it anymore. Are there any other sites that I can get it from that are not sketchy. please help.

Discussions

Windows Media Creation Tool: Windows 8.1 installation media download remains at 0%
Hello everyone, I bought my PC from a gentleman who had built it himself earlier this year. It runs great but to make a long story short, it seems the C drive is corrupted. I'm trying to do a fresh re-install to restore the drive (I have my product keys)… More on learn.microsoft.com
🌐 learn.microsoft.com
7
8
December 13, 2015
WHERE is "Media Creation Tool" download for 8.1 ?
Forced to download ISO of Win 8.1 (No Clue where my copy of Win 8.0/8.1 digital upgrades might reside at this point) M$ instructions re bootable USB/DVD alternately reference "Windows USB/DVD Download Tool" and "Windows Media Creation Tool" .... More on answers.microsoft.com
🌐 answers.microsoft.com
1
197
May 26, 2022
Official Microsoft Windows 8.1 ISO / USB Drive Download Instructions

Do you need the product code? To be able to use it?

More on reddit.com
🌐 r/buildapc
177
556
April 18, 2013
Looking for some help with windows 8 media creation tool
I'm going through the same problem. I even tried it on a fresh Windows 10 install I had access too. The media creation tool simply won't download the damn Windows 8.1 iso. I can't even download it from the Microsoft store page where my order history is saved. Only Microsoft makes it so impossible to get a damn iso for an OS you've purchased. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/windows
5
2
December 13, 2017
People also ask

Why do I need the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool?
The Media Creation Tool allows you to create installation media (USB drive or DVD) to install a new copy of Windows 10, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows 10. The tool will guide you through the process and present the options and files you might need to get the best installation experience. If you're not sure which files are required to install Windows 10, this tool is your best option.
🌐
techspot.com
techspot.com › downloads › 6734-windows-10-installation-tool.html
Microsoft Windows Installation and Media Creation Tool Download ...
Can I use the Microsoft Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to upgrade to Windows 10?
Yes, the Media Creation Tool can be used to install Windows 10 for the first time or upgrade from a previous Windows version. You will need a valid Windows 10 license to complete the process.
🌐
techspot.com
techspot.com › downloads › 6734-windows-10-installation-tool.html
Microsoft Windows Installation and Media Creation Tool Download ...
Can I use this tool to upgrade to Windows 11?
Microsoft offers a specific installation / media creation tool for Windows 11. You can download the Microsoft Windows 11 Installation / Media Creation Tool here. This tool includes:
🌐
techspot.com
techspot.com › downloads › 6734-windows-10-installation-tool.html
Microsoft Windows Installation and Media Creation Tool Download ...
🌐
Eight Forums
eightforums.com › windows 8 forums › installation & setup
Windows 8.1 Media Creation Tool Download | Windows 8 Help Forums
March 20, 2016 - 1) I searched for that on Bing and got to this site: Windows 8.1 Media Creation Tool for Easy Installation 2) Scroll a bit down and click here: You can get the creation tool from
🌐
Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d
Create installation media for Windows - Microsoft Support
The media creation tool walks through creating installation media. Important: Back up your files before you install or reinstall Windows on your PC. Learn how. The following items are required to create the installation media: A PC with a reliable internet connection.
🌐
CNET
download.cnet.com › windows-8-1-installation-media-creation-tool › 3000-18513_4-77572352.html
Windows 8.1 Installation Media Creation Tool for Windows - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download
September 23, 2025 - When you need to install or reinstall Windows 8.1, the official Microsoft tool is a straightforward solution. Windows 8.1 Installation Media Creation Tool is specifically designed to help you create a bootable USB drive or a DVD, making it simple to set up a new system from scratch.
Rating: 5 ​ - ​ 7 votes
Find elsewhere
🌐
Dell
dell.com › home › support home › knowledge base article
Create a retail image of Windows with the Microsoft Media Creation Tool | Dell Georgia
June 9, 2025 - Note: Dell Technologies recommends ... an OS Recovery Image with the Dell OS Recovery Tool page. The Microsoft Media Creation Tool is for creating a retail image of Windows....
🌐
Filehorse
filehorse.com › download-media-creation-tool › 28686 › download
Download Media Creation Tool 6.3.9600 (for Windows 8.1) from FileHorse.com
Download and run the media creation tool to get started. For more information on how to use the tool, see the instructions below. Windows Media Creation Tool is a user-friendly utility program designed for Microsoft Windows PCs.
🌐
TechSpot
techspot.com › downloads › 6734-windows-10-installation-tool.html
Microsoft Windows Installation and Media Creation Tool Download Free - 22H2 | TechSpot
November 13, 2025 - Use the media creation tool to download Windows. This tool provides the best download experience for customers running Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.
Rating: 4.2 ​ - ​ 664 votes
🌐
Softonic
windows-8-usb-installer-maker.en.softonic.com › home › utilities & tools › windows 8 usb installer maker
Windows 8 USB Installer Maker (Windows) - Download
July 17, 2024 - Windows 8 USB Installer Maker converts your USB drive to NTFS, extracts necessary files from the ISO, and writes the Master Boot Record for booting. Users can simply run the executable with admin rights, select an NTFS-formatted USB drive, choose ...
Rating: 10/10 ​ - ​ 1 votes
🌐
Internet Archive
archive.org › software
Windows 8.1 Professional Original ISOs (x64 and x86) : Microsoft : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
I just noticed that Microsoft recently took down the download link for the Windows 8.1 ISOs; clicking on the link from Google when you search for the windows 8.1 iso will redirect you to some other page on their site about windows 8's lifecycle.
🌐
APKPure
windows.apkpure.com › desktop › windows 8.1 installation media creation tool
Windows 8.1 Installation Media Creation Tool for PC Windows 1.0 Download
July 9, 2017 - The Windows 8.1 Installation Media Creation Tool from Microsoft is an essential program for users needing to install or reinstall the Windows 8.1 operating system. It facilitates the creation of installation media on USB drives or DVDs, making ...
Top answer
1 of 5
4

Split from this thread.

Hi Andreas,

I'm having the exact same issue as you were having and I cannot find the solution anywhere. I've been trying for 2 days now. When I select my USB (which is 16GB and empty) it says "Estimating Time" and then the download seems to begin but it stays stuck at 0%. I've left it running for hours and it never goes beyond 0%.

I have fast internet, I've tried disabling AVG temporarily, I've tried to download the ISO file instead of doing it directly to the USB, and a few other things but nothing has worked.

If you found a solution, please let us know because this is very frustrating.

Thanks,

Susana

2 of 5
1

Hi,

I just tested the Media Creation Tool for you and it does work as it progresses past 0%.

But to make a Bootable USB you download and save the ISO to the default downloads folder > then use RUFUS to make it.

"Create installation media for Windows 8.1"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

A similar Tutorial which may also assist you

"Create Installation Media for Windows 8.1"

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/create-installation-media-windows-81

In the first screen of this very simple wizard, you need to choose the following:

Language. English – en-us if you're in the United States.

Edition. Windows 8.1 (Core), Windows 8.1 N, Windows 8.1 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro N, or Windows 8.1 Single Language.

Architecture. 64-bit (x64 ) or 32-bit (x86).

_______________________________________

"How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with a Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2227-create-bootable-usb-dvd-windows-8-iso.html

   Warning

This will not work to install Windows 8 or 8.1 for UEFI. For that, see this tutorial below instead.

UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows

Cheers.

🌐
UNIQ
uniq.software › home › help centre › getting started › windows 8.1 › how do i create installation media for windows 8.1?
How do I create installation media for Windows 8.1? | UNIQ
After creating a bootable USB drive, follow these steps to perform a clean installation: Turn on your PC so that Windows starts normally; insert the Windows 8.1 DVD or USB and then restart your PC.Your device will boot from the Windows 8.1 USB device....
🌐
Softonic
windows-media-creation-tool.en.softonic.com › home › utilities & tools › windows media creation tool
Windows Media Creation Tool (Windows) - Download
October 20, 2025 - The utility’s compatibility with ... scenarios. Windows Media Creation Tool provides a fast, convenient, and user-friendly solution for upgrading Windows or performing clean installations....
Rating: 7.6/10 ​ - ​ 748 votes
🌐
DiskPart
diskpart.com › aomei software › free partition software › how to use windows media creation tool to install windows 10, 8, 7?
How to Use Windows Media Creation Tool to Install Windows 10, 8, 7?
August 2, 2024 - Windows Media Creation Tool is an installing and upgrading utility developed for Windows systems by Microsoft. With this tool, you can create a Windows installation USB with a system ISO file to install Windows 10, 8, 7 on a computer, or directly ...
🌐
Rufus
rufus.ie
Rufus - The Official Website (Download, New Releases)
Rufus is a small application that creates bootable USB drives, which can then be used to install or run Microsoft Windows, Linux or DOS. In just a few minutes, and with very few clicks, Rufus can help you run a new Operating System on your computer...
🌐
Top Password
top-password.com › blog › microsoft-tool-to-download-windows-8-1-iso-and-create-installation-media
Microsoft Tool to Download Windows 8.1 ISO and Create Installation Media | Password Recovery
November 12, 2014 - To download and create a bootable CD or USB flash drive with the Windows 8.1 installation files, please follow the steps below: Head over to Microsoft’s installation tool webpage, and then click the Create media button to download Windows Installation Media Creation Tool (about 1.26 Mb).