Solved Best way to install Windows 8.1 for me

Hi all.

I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 8 (genuine) on my main computer on a 60gb SSD. However my girlfriend hated Windows 8, so when windows 8.1 preview came out, I tried to upgrade to that from the Windows store.... That however completely mucked up. My computer was stuck in limbo, the install wouldn't complete, the hard drive was full. It was a mess.

So I reinstalled Windows 8.1 preview using the guide on here, and using the preview key given out... Now however I need to install Windows 8.1 proper using my actual key.

So what is my best way to do this. Should I reinstall Windows 8 from my disc, then install Windows 8.1 from the store? I know it has been said there is no Windows 8.1 iso given out to the wider public. So is that my best/only option?

Many thanks for any help and advice.

Edit : Ah is seems from this post
Windows 8.1 now available to download | The Verge
that I will indeed need to reinstall Windows 8 before upgrading to 8.1 via the Store (2nd time lucky!)


Ah well, it will be good to see the old girl one more time.

As you have 8.1 Preview, I would do a clean install & update to 8.1.

According to Paul Thurott's article, it is possible to do an upgrade from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 final with the following caveats:

If you previously upgraded from Windows 8 to the Windows 8.1 Preview, bad news: You can upgrade to the final version of Windows 8.1 for free, of course. But you will have to reinstall all of your desktop applications and Metro-style apps (the ones that don't ship as part of Windows). Otherwise, this upgrade will work the same as updating from the original version of Windows 8.

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/here-comes-windows-81

However, be forewarned that some are not have a great deal of success using the above method.


With that said, I would personally attempt the upgrade via a clean install of Windows 8 and then upgrade to Windows 8.1 via the Windows Store. However, I have no experience in doing that either because I had access to a Win 8.1 RTM disc so I went the clean install route and didn't have to go through the upgrade process.

Hope all this information is helpful. Good luck with your own decision.

Now my next questions are:

a) Do I wait a few days for Microsofts servers not to be jammed, before attempting the upgrade? (To hopefully not get a botched copy) and
b) Should I install every Windows 8 update there has been before upgrading to windows 8.1

Reinstalled Windows 8, no problem.
Updated all my drivers and installed Windows updates, no problem.
Tried to install the update from the store... crashed.
Rolled back. Tried to install from the store... bluescreened.
Rolled back. Getting frustrated.
Used this excellent guide to download the ISO http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/33164-how-download-windows-8-1-iso.html
Tried to install from ISO... bluescreened. Now I am really confused. I have never ever had an operating system fail to do a clean install before. Not Windows or Linux. Nothing.
The error it gave me when it bluescreened was an "IRQL not less or equal" error. Looking it up, it seems to imply a hardware error. So I systematically start removing pieces of hardware.
First I change my wireless keyboard and mouse and remove every other connected USB attachment. Still bluescreens.
Then I remove my secondary HDD and swap the cable connecting the HDD and the SDD over. Still bluescreens.
Then I remove my wireless card.... Success!!! Except now its 6 hours later, it's 2:30am, and I have work tomorrow.

But what is very strange about that problem is that my wireless card worked natively on Windows 7. It worked natively on Windows 8. I worked natively on Windows 8.1 preview, but it caused bluescreens with 8.1 proper. Also it wasn't the one that I saw online several people complain about, it's a dual-band (asus?)..

Anyway. Fixed it. Windows 8.1.. argh. Vista mk 2.

Edit: Well I say fixed it, my computer is still in peices and I don't know if I will manage to get the Wireless Card to work.

You didn't give any system specs besides the 60 gig ssd.
If you have an ati card make sure you update the catylist driver before upgrading.
you said you had 8.0 working so I'd start there.
check to see if your ssd parameters are set correctly...trim, etc.
unplug everything except mouse and keyboard.
open device manager check for problems. show hidden devices and delete phantoms.
open diskmanagement check to see if you have just one Active partition. (shouldn't make a difference)
upgrade your wireless driver if needed.
try upgrading to 8.1 again.
hope this helps.

I've managed to upgrade to 8.1, but I had to take out my wireless card to do it. Problem is I'm at work and can't remember what my Wireless card is.

I just think its very strange. I've never ever had a problem with an operating system failing to install because of a wireless card before! From an ISO no less. Windows 7 installs fine, Windows 8 installs fine, Windows 8.1 preview installs fine, but not windows 8.1 proper. It would make more sense if it was an "update" from the store, but an actual fresh install from an ISO?