However, you can still obtain Windows 8.1 for use in a virtual environment by following these methods: 1. Official Microsoft Download (ISO Method)
Before clicking any “Windows 8.1 VHD download link,” ask yourself: windows 81 vhd download link
Once you have the ISO, you can use tools like Hyper-V or Oracle VM VirtualBox to install the OS into a virtual machine, which inherently creates a VHD or VDI file. However, you can still obtain Windows 8
ISO (Can be used to install onto a newly created VHD) 2. Verified Internet Archive Links windows 81 vhd download link
offering “Windows 8.1 VHD download direct.” Always verify the SHA-1 checksum against official MSDN values.