Windows ISO Downloads

Win8.1 Install Keys (won't activate - use your Win8 key for that)
Windows 8 Core: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8 Professional: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB

Another way to get the 8.1 ISO here.

DOWNLOAD WINDOWS 8 RELEASE ISO FILES

The Windows 8 Release Preview ISOs can be found here.

Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview ISO YNB3T-VHW8P-72P6K-BQHCB-DM92V - Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview should be installed on a test machine. Following the preview period, it is not possible to upgrade to a licensed working version of Windows 8.1 Enterprise. Personal data will be kept on your test computer, but the Windows OS and your applications will need to be reinstalled when moving from the preview to production bits.

If you have an MSDN subscription then get the full RTM version(s) from here.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview ISO Downloads (2012-02-29) When you install Windows 8 Consumer Preview you’ll be asked for a product key. You can use DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J for the 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows 8 Consumer Preview. This key will most likely expire after Microsoft officially launches Windows 8 later this year.

WinMerge - Use the 2011 version (rename to .exe to install), later versions like 2.14 and 2.12 have a serious bug! Simply the BEST utility for comparing two folders or files and editing them! Ideal for comparing different versions of files (especially text files).

TrueCrypt password reset - Use Hirens to reset a Windows password on a TrueCrypt encrypted drive (must know TrueCrypt password).

FilExile - got a file or folder that Window refuses to delete (even in Safe Mode), for instance, a directory containing Windows 7 system files will not be deleted by Windows - this program really works! Download it now before you forget where you saw it!

Bootice - edit PBR/MBR/BCD (in WinPE or Windows). BOOTICE is a powerful boot-related utility. To manipulate (install, backup, restore) the MBR and PBR of disks (or disk images), to partition and format disks, to edit disk sectors in hexadecimal, to erase all the data on your disk or logical drive (by filling with customizable characters), to edit Grub4DOS boot menu, and to edit BCD file of Windows NT 6.x.

FlashBoot - if you have some older systems which don't boot properly from USB when prepared with RMPrepUSB, try FlashBoot (trial version - try before you buy s/w).

Get IDs of Unknown Devices - this hand utility looks at the Unknown Devices in Device Manager (XP to Win7 64-bit) and attempts to identify what they are from a database of PCI IDs. This is very handy for obtaining the correct drivers when installing a fresh copy of Windows. Download Dec 2012 version - or see forum for latest download version.

com! magazine article featuring RMPrepUSB and 6 things you can do with a USB stick (in german)

com! magazine article on RMPrepUSB (Sept. 2011 in German).

Bootit.exe - utility that can 'Flip the bit' on some USB Flash drives (e.g. Lexar) and change it so that it will always appear as a Fixed Disk rather than a Removable Disk. This can make a UFD more bootable.

grub4dos guide

grubinst.exe and grubinst_gui.exe (Windows) - see bottom of page for latest DavidB version.

Patches for USB Bootloader code (as used in RMPrepUSB)

LCID list (MS locale IDs)
SecInspector (Micosoft) - displays disk sector data and information

FbinstTool - GUI + fbinst all in one exe!

FiraDisk ram disk driver

ImDisk (using ImDisk to install Win7/2008 from an ISO on USB here) - See how to use it in Tutorial #31.

OSFMount - cam mount many types of disk and ISO images for forensic or general use.

Various Volume Boot Records and OEM name field reference page

EASEUS free drive data recovery wizard (rescue/restore erased files from a formatted disk)

ODIN free opensource disk imager

eBid - the new and cheaper eBay - register using this link!

Tutorial to nLite your AHCI drivers into XP

Generic nLite tutorial for integration of updates, SPacks and drivers here

How to modify the XP install CD files to boot and install XP from a USB drive (detailed step-by-step).

Useful sysinternals downloads

Produkey - displays MS Product Keys (e.g. Office or Windows 7/Vista/XP) used on your system. Shows OEM/Retail Product Keys - may not display Volume Licence product keys.

Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder - similar to produkey - latest free versio DOES find Win 7 Product Keys (even though it says it doesn't!)

NSIS - Nullsoft Scriptable Install System - open source installer.

DPINST - install a driver from an INF file using the command line (xml flags and command line switches)

PhotoRec - recover your photos from a trashed UFD or SD card. This can be a life-saver!

QEMU Manager download

QEMU Windows Setup and binaries

WinImage download

DiskView - view free clusters (FAT+NTFS), clusters used by a file (FAT+NTFS), etc. Some other functions only work on NTFS volumes.

Prey - free Open Source based laptop tracker. This software reported my position (my house!) and emailed me my photo taken by my laptop webcam and even gave a picture of my front door and garage via google street maps as well as my house number and postcode! It works by looking at WiFi access points near your laptop when you report it as stolen. Why not install it now. You can track your laptop by logging in to the website. Just make sure you leave a limited user guest account with no password on your laptop so that the thief can log in, as it only tracks once someone logs in.

ISORecorder - makes ISO files (including bootable ones)

ISOWriter - burns ISO files

CreateCD - writes CDs/DVDs from a command line

NT Command Shell Reference - http://ss64.com/nt/.

The Art of Assembly Language Programming PDFs (see Chapter 13 for BIOS and MSDOS calls) - excellent coursework from Yale University.

For a book on using DOS 6.22 (Using MS-DOS 6.22 by Jim Cooper) see here.

Codec Pack - Use if Windows Media Player (WMP) won't play WAV files or some other format.

K-Lite codec MegaPack - these codecs are wicked! Choose the Mega Pack - For instance, I can record the screen using CamStudio lossless compression and then import the avi files into MS Movie Maker and they will just work!

RW Everything - Windows Hardware Tweak tool - examine/edit PCI registers and SMBUS (DIMM SPD contents) under Windows. Very powerful tool for hardware register tinkering!

Backup and Restore Windows Vista and Win 7 Activation - this allows you to backup the OEM files from an OEM Windows OS, wipe the disk and install a nice, clean MS (same) version and then restore the OEM files so you can use the OEM activation. Also works is you want to switch from a 32-bit version to a 64-bit version but don't have the 64-bit OEM media. See also reboot.pro post for a manual way to do this.

WinPE4 custom hta shell.

iPXE official website.

GeGeek - contains loads of useful geeky info and the Toolkit download (2GB of portable apps, complete with menu and auto-updater!) - see here for forum post

Multibooters - lots of info on how Vista (and 7 and 8) can be multi-booted and how multi-boot works!

What is USB and how does it work? - a good introduction can be found here.

PNY (USBest controller) reformat/rescue/format utility http://www.pny.com.tw/index.php?cls=2&mode=download

Get a free www.xxxxx.tk domain redirection (free setup so that anyone using www.xxxxxx.tk will get redirected to your site - just choose any name for xxxx that you want!)

Lookup manufacturer from UL number - fill in the E number from the label to reveal the manufacturer and address of mfr - useful for PSUs, etc.

Having trouble finding a Win7 64-bit Driver for this webcam? I did! Also known as TriCom, DHTC, ZSMC, ViMicro, Intex Night Vision IT-305WC Drivers (5.0 mega pixels),ZS211 etc.

Mainboard Sockets, Ports, DIMM chart - identify that part or port!