Solved Upgrade Windows 8.1 Core to Windows 8.1 Pro

Wynona

Active Member
Pro User
Messages
948
Location
Texas
I have everything I need to install Windows 8.1 Pro over Windows 8.1 Core; however, I don't see a tutorial on doing this, so I'm, wondering if I'll get into trouble doing this. BTW, I know I cannot use my Windows 8 Core Product Key with Windows 8.1 Pro. :)

I'd like to do a clean install, but UEFI kind of intimidates me (a lot!). Also, I already have a large number of programs on my computer, i.e., Office 2013, Nuance OmniPage Ultimate, Word Perfect Office, Logo Design Pro; you get the drift . . .

All the way through Windows 7 Ultimate I have never hesitated to install a new operating system, but Windows 8/8.1 and these new UEFI "bios" are working in tandem to make me procrastinate . . .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Create a Backup first...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Duhhhhhhhhhhhh, I hadn't even thought of that, but you're right; I must create a backup.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Did you buy a Pro Pack or are you doing it through 'Add Features...'?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dude
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU OC@ 4.5 GHZ Turbo
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77MA-G45 (MS-7759)
    Memory
    8.00 GB DDR3 1600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY GTX 760
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S23O9W, HP L1710
    Screen Resolution
    DELL-1920 x 1080 HP-1280 x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial m4 256 SSD WD 7200RPM 500GB
    PSU
    Seasonic X650 Gold
    Case
    Zalman Z12
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler 920
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    MSI DS100 Interceptor
    Internet Speed
    50 down 5 up
    Browser
    Chrome, IE 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech X-620 Speakers

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I almost always recommend a clean install but in this case using Add Features may not be a bad way to go. If it accepts your Pro product code all of the Pro features will be unlocked for you to use on your current install. With no effect on your currently installed programs or Apps. Just something to consider anyway.

If you do decide to do a clean install, as far as UEFI goes, you won't have, or shouldn't have to, mess with any BIOS settings. 8.1 is already installed so they should already be set as needed.
Once you have your install media all setup have a look at this. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...are-interface-install-windows-8-a.html?filter
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I almost always recommend a clean install but in this case using Add Features may not be a bad way to go. If it accepts your Pro product code all of the Pro features will be unlocked for you to use on your current install. With no effect on your currently installed programs or Apps. Just something to consider anyway.

If you do decide to do a clean install, as far as UEFI goes, you won't have, or shouldn't have to, mess with any BIOS settings. 8.1 is already installed so they should already be set as needed.
Once you have your install media all setup have a look at this. http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...are-interface-install-windows-8-a.html?filter

Thanks a bunch, Alpha!

Although it may be a lot of trouble, I'm still inclined to go with a clean install. There's some sort of error message that pops up when I shut down that doesn't stay on the desktop long enough for me to read the whole first line, let alone the error code. It doesn't seem to eat very much, but I still don't like it. Under the circumstances I've described, would you still recommend Add Features? I think I know the answer, but . . .

I just trotted over to the General forum and asked about the mystery error code.

I have Windows 8.1 on a bootable jump/thumb/flash drive but I need to read a bit more before I wade in. Also, I need to back this system up so that if I get into trouble I can just restore it.

Dang! StarFerret says she don' like retirement; it makes me too cautious.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Good luck, let us know how it goes.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dude
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570K CPU OC@ 4.5 GHZ Turbo
    Motherboard
    MSI Z77MA-G45 (MS-7759)
    Memory
    8.00 GB DDR3 1600Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY GTX 760
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell S23O9W, HP L1710
    Screen Resolution
    DELL-1920 x 1080 HP-1280 x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial m4 256 SSD WD 7200RPM 500GB
    PSU
    Seasonic X650 Gold
    Case
    Zalman Z12
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler 920
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    MSI DS100 Interceptor
    Internet Speed
    50 down 5 up
    Browser
    Chrome, IE 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Logitech X-620 Speakers

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
There is nothing stopping you from doing both. If upgrading though add features doesn't fix that error message you could always then do a clean install. Make your image first anyway. Add Features won't prompt for install media etc. All the files are already on your system for the added features. You enter your code and the extra features are installed/enabled. That is assuming it excepts your code. It may not. If it doesn't your decision is made for you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Did that PC come with Windows 8.0 or 8.1?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
@ Wynona:
Can you post a screenshot of your Disk Management, I'm just curious what you should be careful of doing a clean install?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
@ Wynona:
Can you post a screenshot of your Disk Management, I'm just curious what you should be careful of doing a clean install?

Okey Dokey . . .

Disk Management.PNG

Here ya go. Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 500-056
    CPU
    AMD Elite Quad-Core A8-6500
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 8570D
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 23"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave K350
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
    Internet Speed
    Fast
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
I'm thinking the clean install will re-create the necessities. I hope theog floats by and lends his invaluable insight on this. I'm not totally up to snuff on the UEFI/OEM thing! :)
I'm sure you'll make out okay though, hang in there!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
Wynona said:
I have everything I need to install Windows 8.1 Pro over Windows 8.1 Core;

As you are Upgrading from Windows 8/8.1 Core to Pro, you can do a Custom Clean install with the Windows 8/8.1 Pro DVD.
or
Clean Install with OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk, then Upgrade to Pro.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
Did that PC come with Windows 8.0 or 8.1?

Came with 8.0, Alpha. And I upgraded to 8.1 through the store a few days ago.

Ok, the reason I asked is I wanted to know what the embedded key was for 8.0 or 8.1. Your 8.1 install media will ignore it and prompt for a key. If it had been an 8.1 embedded key Core would be installed automatically without you getting a chance to enter a key.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Back
Top