Windows 8.1 ISO Download "Can't Connect" Error? Here's Why

[Nazmus Shakib Khandaker]

I have been seeing many comments on my previous post where people are referring to the "Cannot Connect" error when trying to download Windows 8.1 using their Windows 8 product key. Here's the error you are seeing:

 

 

Here's why you might be seeing this error. This error WILL pop up if you use the generic product keys to try and download the ISO images. The generic product keys allow you to install Windows, but they will NOT allow you to download it. When you enter the generic keys in the downloader, it accepts it because these keys are embedded into the setup. However, Microsoft has blocked these keys from server-side. That is, even though the setup accepts thee keys, you will be blocked from downloading the ISO from the key and will get this "Can't Connect" message.

 

To download the ISO, you MUST use a RETAIL key. A retail key includes keys you get by buying Windows from a retail store or from Windows.com. OEM and system builder keys are NOT retail keys and thy will not work. Setup will not accept them.

 

Other situations when this error occurs

If you are using a retail key but still getting this error, please let us know. Let's see if we can identify other situations in which this situation occurs. Perhaps this is also a regional thing. Also, perhaps your key didn't connect first time but worked at a later attempt. If so, please let us know. We want to be able to understand this situation the best we can.
 

 

See also

Hazzaaa! Download Windows 8.1 ISO Using Windows 8.0 Product Key

 

[Sonic98]

Ok, this is something they need to fix because the person I was speaking to about this issue was getting this error even with a key he purchased from Microsoft to upgrade from 7 to 8. It makes no sense to only be able to do this if you bought a boxed version of the OS

[Eric Veteran]

Ok, this is something they need to fix because the person I was speaking to about this issue was getting this error even with a key he purchased from Microsoft to upgrade from 7 to 8. It makes no sense to only be able to do this if you bought a boxed version of the OS

 

AFAIK there were no retail versions of Windows 8, only upgrade and OEM. 8.1 has boxed retail versions.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

AFAIK there were no retail versions of Windows 8, only upgrade and OEM. 8.1 has boxed retail versions.

what are the technet/msdn keys classified as? because they seem to act like normal retail keys would

[Eric Veteran]

what are the technet/msdn keys classified as? because they seem to act like normal retail keys would

 

Dunno. They may be flagged as retail. I was only referring to the consumer distribution model. Don't TechNet keys get deactivated if your account expires? (And MSDN ones are only for evaluation, not production use.)

[Gotenks98]

AFAIK there were no retail versions of Windows 8, only upgrade and OEM. 8.1 has boxed retail versions.

upgrade actually counts as retail. Its just upgrade in that the OS install must start from within Windows unless you do the registry trick or double install.