Solved Questions about upgrading to Windows 8

Marute

New Member
Messages
8
Hi all, this is my first post here. :)

I have a 7 months old Windows 7 laptop and I'm seriously considering upgrading to Windows 8. I know people are very conservative and many are hating just because it's different but I like the modern UI and I have a Windows Phone as well as an Xbox360 so I'm used to it.

1) The things is I've heard something about problems and bugs after upgrading instead of doing a clean install? Of couse I want to keep my files and my software (MS Office 2010 in particular, that costs money you know) which is why I definitely would prefer upgrading, but I don't want an OS the doesn't work as well as it could.

2) When you do upgrade, what will happen to Windows 7? Will it be removed or will I have unnecessary system files here and there taking up my HDD space? I don't really want to waste space on my hard drive.

3) Windows 7 came with my laptop, is it possible to go back to Windows 7 should I suddenly have the desire to do so? I don't have a physical copy of Windows 7. What if Idid a system backup of Windows 7, then I would be able to go back and forth?

4) Does Windows 8 come with a single license so you can do ONE install only or can you install it as often as you like on the same machine?

5) Will I have to update my hardware drivers myself or will the OS help me doing that? I have updated my GPU driver before but never my CPU, motherboard and what else you need. Anything I should be aware of?

Anything I should be aware of in general?
Thanks :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Hello Marute, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Answers inline. :)

1) The things is I've heard something about problems and bugs after upgrading instead of doing a clean install? Of couse I want to keep my files and my software (MS Office 2010 in particular, that costs money you know) which is why I definitely would prefer upgrading, but I don't want an OS the doesn't work as well as it could.

It's true that a clean install is best. An upgrade install has worked just fine for many, and has also not worked so well with others. This is most likely due to incompatibility issues from something in the previous OS, or the AV program may have interfered with installation.

I would recommend to do the tutorial below to run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, but stop after step 6. This will help you see if you may have any compatibility issues before trying to upgrade to Windows 8.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/11885-windows-8-upgrade-assistant-download-run.html

2) When you do upgrade, what will happen to Windows 7? Will it be removed or will I have unnecessary system files here and there taking up my HDD space? I don't really want to waste space on my hard drive.

All compatible programs and drivers will be kept in Windows 8, but Windows 7 will be placed into the C:\Windows.old folder. Once you make sure that there's nothing in it you want, you can delete it to regain the HDD space it's using.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2527-windows-old-folder-delete-windows-8-a.html

The tutorial below can give you more details about upgrading to Windows 8 if you like.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2234-upgrade-install-windows-7-vista-windows-8-a.html


3) Windows 7 came with my laptop, is it possible to go back to Windows 7 should I suddenly have the desire to do so? I don't have a physical copy of Windows 7. What if Idid a system backup of Windows 7, then I would be able to go back and forth?
You should create a set of factory recovery discs for your laptop before upgrading to Windows 8. These will be your backup to be able to reinstall Windows 7 back to factory conditions if the recovery partition should fail to be able to.

Please post back with what brand and model your laptop is, and I'll be happy to find the instructions for how to create a set of factory recovery discs on it.​


4) Does Windows 8 come with a single license so you can do ONE install only or can you install it as often as you like on the same machine?
Windows 8 comes with only on product key (license) that can only be activated on ONE computer at the same time. If you want to activate another computer with it, then it must be uninstalled from any other computer first.​


5) Will I have to update my hardware drivers myself or will the OS help me doing that? I have updated my GPU driver before but never my CPU, motherboard and what else you need. Anything I should be aware of?

Anything I should be aware of in general?

Windows 8 will usually either have generic drivers that may work, or can sometimes download drivers though Windows Update. There's no guarantee that drivers will be found for all devices though.

It would be best to go to your laptop manufacturer's driver download site to see what is available for Windows 8, and already have the driver installation files downloaded and handy to install after Windows 8 is finished installing in case you may need them. Especially if you may need to install the network driver before having access to the internet.​


Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It's true that a clean install is best. An upgrade install has worked just fine for many, and has also not worked so well with others. This is most likely due to incompatibility issues from something in the previous OS, or the AV program may have interfered with installation.

I would recommend to do the tutorial below to run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, but stop after step 6. This will help you see if you may have any compatibility issues before trying to upgrade to Windows 8.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...nload-run.html

Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant tells me that i have 5 compatibility issues: 1) Install app in order to play DVD's. 2) Secure start isn't compatible with my firmware. 3) Fraps apparently needs an update. 4) For some reason iTunes want me to remove approved pc's whatever that means? 5) Windows Live Essentials needs an update as well.

I would remove my AV (Avast free) prior to upgrading anyway. What do you think about it? What I fear most is having the OS perform slower than it normally would because it was an upgrade and not a clean install. I don't know if that's even a possible issue with upgrading to W8.

All compatible programs and drivers will be kept in Windows 8, but Windows 7 will be placed into the C:\Windows.old folder. Once you make sure that there's nothing in it you want, you can delete it to regain the HDD space it's using.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...ndows-8-a.html

The tutorial below can give you more details about upgrading to Windows 8 if you like.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...ndows-8-a.html

Okay, so basically I'll have access to my old system until I decide there's nothing more I need from it? I do have backups of all my personal files.

You should create a set of factory recovery discs for your laptop before upgrading to Windows 8. These will be your backup to be able to reinstall Windows 7 back to factory conditions if the recovery partition should fail to be able to.

Please post back with what brand and model your laptop is, and I'll be happy to find the instructions for how to create a set of factory recovery discs on it.

So by creating a set of factory recovery discs like you say I will actually have an install disc just as if I had had a physical copy of Windows 7 that I can use anytime I want to completely reinstall Windows 7 anywhere anytime I want? Will it install the OS in the state my PC is in now or as it was the first time I booted the pc?

That's very kind of you. My laptop is a Packard Bell EasyNote TS11HR. It does have "Parckard Bell Recovery Management" software installed. It allows me to "Create Factory Standard disc". It says it will allow me to "Burn a copy of the factory default system so that you can recreate the PC's default settings if needed". Is that what I need to do?

Windows 8 comes with only on product key (license) that can only be activated on ONE computer at the same time. If you want to activate another computer with it, then it must be uninstalled from any other computer first.

But I will in fact be able to uninstall Windows 8 and install it again either on another machine or on the same machine as much as I would like? (Not like I'm going to shift OS every day, but I like the option).

Windows 8 will usually either have generic drivers that may work, or can sometimes download drivers though Windows Update. There's no guarantee that drivers will be found for all devices though.

It would be best to go to your laptop manufacturer's driver download site to see what is available for Windows 8, and already have the driver installation files downloaded and handy to install after Windows 8 is finished installing in case you may need them. Especially if you may need to install the network driver before having access to the internet.

I've always been told that it's best to download the latest drivers from the actual hardware manufacturer? However, I will have to prepare this before updating the OS? What drivers beside the GPU and CPU are we talking about? I also have Packard Bell Updater on the pc. It will perhaps update the drivers?

Thank you for the help it is very much appreciated. I know I ask a lot of questions but I figure you'll only learn as long as you ask. ;) Thank you for the tutorial links as well!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant tells me that i have 5 compatibility issues: 1) Install app in order to play DVD's. 2) Secure start isn't compatible with my firmware. 3) Fraps apparently needs an update. 4) For some reason iTunes want me to remove approved pc's whatever that means? 5) Windows Live Essentials needs an update as well.

I would remove my AV (Avast free) prior to upgrading anyway. What do you think about it? What I fear most is having the OS perform slower than it normally would because it was an upgrade and not a clean install. I don't know if that's even a possible issue with upgrading to W8.
If you take care of all these issues, you should be good to go.​


Okay, so basically I'll have access to my old system until I decide there's nothing more I need from it? I do have backups of all my personal files.
To the files in the windows.old folder only. You will not be able to boot into Windows 7 from the windows.old folder.​


So by creating a set of factory recovery discs like you say I will actually have an install disc just as if I had had a physical copy of Windows 7 that I can use anytime I want to completely reinstall Windows 7 anywhere anytime I want? Will it install the OS in the state my PC is in now or as it was the first time I booted the pc?

That's very kind of you. My laptop is a Packard Bell EasyNote TS11HR. It does have "Parckard Bell Recovery Management" software installed. It allows me to "Create Factory Standard disc". It says it will allow me to "Burn a copy of the factory default system so that you can recreate the PC's default settings if needed". Is that what I need to do?
No. This will only allow you to reinstall Windows 7 on only this specific laptop, and on no other computer.

Yes, "Burn a copy of the factory default system so that you can recreate the PC's default settings if needed" is what you need to use in "Packard Bell Recovery Management" for this.​


But I will in fact be able to uninstall Windows 8 and install it again either on another machine or on the same machine as much as I would like? (Not like I'm going to shift OS every day, but I like the option).
Yes, you will be able install Windows 8 on any computer you like so long as it's not installed on any other computer as well.​


I've always been told that it's best to download the latest drivers from the actual hardware manufacturer? However, I will have to prepare this before updating the OS? What drivers beside the GPU and CPU are we talking about? I also have Packard Bell Updater on the pc. It will perhaps update the drivers?

Thank you for the help it is very much appreciated. I know I ask a lot of questions but I figure you'll only learn as long as you ask. ;) Thank you for the tutorial links as well!

Usually it's best to get the drivers from the device manufacturer, but for a laptop, it would be best to get them from the laptop manufacturer instead since laptops usually require specific driver versions for that specific laptop model that may not be the same from the device manufacturer.

You can get drivers for your Packard Bell EasyNote TS11HR at the link below. Be sure to select the correct 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 8 that you are installing.

Support Download

drivers.jpg
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I'd say you were going to be very pleased with your laptops performance once you have upgraded. Clean install is best. Then make a backup! Follow what Brink has said and you won't go wrong!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Computer 1 of 4
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4A78LT-M LE
    Memory
    4GB Kit (2x2GB)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 18"
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    PSU
    Cheapo
    Internet Speed
    30mb
    Other Info
    Computer 2 :~ Dell Inspiron - 1x 350gb & 1x 250gb - 6GB Memory - Win 7 | Computer 3 :~ Samsung 355v5C Notebook - 6Gb Mem - Win8 2Core| Computer 4:~ Samsung 355v5C Notebook - 6Gb Mem - Win8 4Core
You're most welcome Marute. Glad we could help. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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