: Mount your Windows 8.1 ISO file or insert your installation media when prompted during the VM creation process to start the installation.
No. Unlike modern Windows iterations (such as Windows 11 Enterprise evaluation), Microsoft does not officially provide pre-built VHD or VHDX files for Windows 8.1 for public download. windows 81 vhd download link
Finding a direct download link from official Microsoft sources is difficult today because the OS has reached its end of support. Most official pages now only offer ISO files , which you must convert into a VHD yourself. 1. Official Microsoft Download Sources (ISO Format) : Mount your Windows 8
However, you can still obtain Windows 8.1 for use in a virtual environment by following these methods: 1. Official Microsoft Download (ISO Method) Finding a direct download link from official Microsoft
Open the Deployment and Imaging Tools Environment (part of the Windows ADK) and use the imagex or dism command to apply the install.wim file from the ISO to your VHD drive letter [1, 27].
That being said, here are a few third-party sources that offer Windows 8.1 VHD downloads:
Microsoft no longer hosts or supports Windows 8.1 VHD downloads. Windows 8.1 reached end of support on January 10, 2023 .