Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1 Upgrade Information for Win

Windows 8.1 is now up for preorder, so you can reserve your own copy of the operating system only, while shipments will only begin on October 18.

But before buying Windows 8.1, there are couple of things you need to know first, including details concerning the upgrading process to this new platform.

Just like Microsoft mentions on the Windows 8.1 page of the official store, “Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista,” which means that a clean install is needed if you’re willing to switch to 8.1 from these two old operating systems.

On the other hand, if you’re already running Windows 7 right now, upgrading to 8.1 is piece of cake, as all files are automatically transferred to your new copy of Windows.

Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1 Upgrade Information for Windows XP, Vista Users

 

[waltc]

Delighted to see that that Microsoft has changed the rule for Win7... I thought they might but I wasn't really sure (these days Microsoft is anything but logical it seems.) With the technet/MSDN upgrade, the only way to seamlessly go (by that I mean without losing *any* installed programs or files) from Win7 to 8.1 was to first upgrade to 8.0 and *then* upgrade 8.0 to 8.1 with the full 8.1 RTM iso (I never bothered with the preview, really, except to play around with it on a separate partition.) That's what I did--bought 8.0 for $39.99 back in January from Microsoft, and then installed and upgraded to 8.1 from the full MSDN 8.1 RTM .iso. No problems at all--smooth sailing. All 8.0 programs transferred without difficulty to the 8.1 RTM install.

So it appears the code ban on allowing a Win7-8.1 RTM .iso upgrade was temporary after all, and only limited to that ~one-month period between putting the 8.1 RTM .iso on MSDN & Technet and October 18th, when the 8.1 RTM iso will be officially available to everyone. IE, Microsoft didn't want anyone who had not bought 8.0 earlier to be able to use the 8.1 RTM iso upgrade prior to Oct. 18th. This may be a good sign that Microsoft is beginning to come around. We'll see.

 

[Phone Man]

So in essence for those running 8 as is, it's basically the same as installing a Service Pack? Good to know.

One thing I haven't seen mention of is what, if any, ramifications of not updating 8 to 8.1 will be.

The ramifications will show in 2 years. That is when support for Windows 8 will end and you will get no more monthly security updates.

Jim

By that time we will be running some Preview of 9 or something like it.

There are rumors of another update to Windows 8.1 coming this spring and then probably Windows 8.2 this time next year. Windows 9 after that. The question is do you need to update in order or can you skip some. There is always something new coming and as a retired person, its fun to keep trying the new stuff. I dual boot with Windows 7 and keep images of all my OS so can always take care of business.

Jim

 

[alphanumeric]

It will be interesting to see how many of the people who upgrade though the Windows store end up with issues. If it ends up being a lot, that could be more bad press for Microsoft and Windows 8. It will also be interesting to see how many people actually buy 8.1 when it hits retail. I also wonder if 8.2 will be free or a pay for deal? I'm kind of thinking Microsoft may charge for that update.

 

[robinb9]

I hope microsoft tests it at the store prior to releasing the final, there will be thousands of people trying to install it that way

 

[alphanumeric]

They can only test so much. There are so many different hardware combinations and combinations of installed software that its impossible to test all the scenarios. I think most people will be happy if they don't suffer any bandwidth problems. I'm betting they stagger it by location so everybody isn't trying to download it all at once. There is going to be botched installs, the question is how many?

 

[brummyfan]

I am not rushing to upgrade but may be latter when everything get settled, at present IE11 isn't complete and I prefer an .iso image for me to do a clean install instead of an upgrade through the Store.

 

[SIW2]

You can install from the 8.1 dvd by using the default key.
Windows 8/8.1 (core) default: 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
Windows 8/8.1 PRO default: XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
The keys above will let you install 8.1, but that's all it does. After installation is complete, you will still have to activate with your own Windows 8.0 or 8.1 key.

Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.

2) make some sort of installable media from clean PC to Windows 8.1 Pro? (my upgrade DVD can be clean installed)

There are several ways to do this:

1. Install using the install key, activate, add programs, update, etc. then make an image with any imaging program.

2. To make a general image which can be installed anywhere, install using the default key. When you see the oobe screen ( the screen that asks for your region and time zone ) do not fill that in. Press ctrl+shift+F3. It will reboot into "audit" mode. Leave the little sysprep window open and get your updates, you may need to reboot to install the updates, and it should reboot back into audit mode. When you have done that, select as follows in the sysprep window and OK.




Boot into another os or winpe and make an image of the installation partition. You can make a .wim image using imagex, win8 dism, gimagex, wimtool , etc - or you can use any imaging program e.g. the free Aomei backupper, macrium, paragon, etc.

I have only an Windows 8 Pro Upgrade dvd (Danish language). I have tried to install the .ISO of Windows 8.1 Pro, but my cd-key don't work, as the win8.1 is not an upgrade (of cource). So I have never seen Windows 8.1 in action, and I have some question about it, that some of you might know the answer to? I hope

So how do I:

1) Get the upgrade to win8.1 (danish language)?
2) make some sort of installable media from clean PC to Windows 8.1 Pro? (my upgrade DVD can be clean installed)
3) get info of how much free space I need on my C-drive for this upgrade to be a success (using a SSD)
4) Will there be any driver issues? (have a Windows 7 Intel USB3 driver installed now, as the build in USB 3 driver in Windows 8 is slow as he.., as described here:
http://www.eightforums.com/drivers-hardware/13877-usb3-still-missing-new-intel-usb3-driver.html look at #10)

 

[Burgurne]

Thank you very much for info, SIW2

 

[tinmar49]

I have just looked at the Microsoft site for iso files and a common product key is listed which is different from those provided by SIW2. It is :NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. I downloaded one of the iso's but failed to get it to open and as the full version is only a few days away, I will try again then.:huh:

 

[Phone Man]

I have just looked at the Microsoft site for iso files and a common product key is listed which is different from those provided by SIW2. It is :NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. I downloaded one of the iso's but failed to get it to open and as the full version is only a few days away, I will try again then.:huh:

What MS site did you get this? MSDN, TechNet or some other. Is this 8.1 Preview or 8.1 RTM? different keys for different versions.

Jim

 

[DavidY]

I have just looked at the Microsoft site for iso files and a common product key is listed which is different from those provided by SIW2. It is :NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. I downloaded one of the iso's but failed to get it to open and as the full version is only a few days away, I will try again then.:huh:

Is this 8.1 Preview or 8.1 RTM?

It looks like the key to the 8.1 Preview to me.

 

[Phone Man]

I have just looked at the Microsoft site for iso files and a common product key is listed which is different from those provided by SIW2. It is :NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. I downloaded one of the iso's but failed to get it to open and as the full version is only a few days away, I will try again then.:huh:

Is this 8.1 Preview or 8.1 RTM?

It looks like the key to the 8.1 Preview to me.

I just checked and it is 8.1 Preview.

Jim

 

[alphanumeric]

I have just looked at the Microsoft site for iso files and a common product key is listed which is different from those provided by SIW2. It is :NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F. I downloaded one of the iso's but failed to get it to open and as the full version is only a few days away, I will try again then.:huh:

As already mentioned, that's the key for the Release Preview. The other leaked keys are install keys for the RTM, Release To Manufacture. Those are two different ISO's.

 

[labeeman]

Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1 RTM Update Before General Availability

Just as promised, Redmond has started delivering updates for Windows 8.1 RTM workstations before the new operating system hits the market on October 18.

Codenamed Windows 8.1 GA Rollup A, the update cycle comes with plenty of bug fixes and only a few minor visual improvements, which means that Microsoft was mostly focused on addressing performance glitches and adding code optimizations.

While the name of the update pack suggests that a second release might be coming before October 18, it appears that Microsoft is now shipping the improvements not only through Windows Update, but also as a separate download for PC makers that already installed the operating system on their machines.

Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1 RTM Update Before General Availability

 

[alphanumeric]

OK, if I read that correctly? This is an update for people currently running the RTM, that includes patches not originally included, but that are now going to be include in the Store update.

 

[DavidY]

Microsoft Releases Windows 8.1 RTM Update Before General Availability

When Microsoft released 8.1 RTM to Technet and MSDN, they did say these things in their MSDN blog post and the Windows Blog:

Based on the feedback from you and our partners, we’re pleased to announce that we will be making available our current Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Pro RTM builds (as well as Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM builds) to the developer and IT professional communities via MSDN and TechNet subscriptions

The primary purpose of Windows 8.1 RTM and Visual Studio 2013 RC availability is for testing as our engineering teams continue to refine and update the product and tools in preparation for Windows 8.1 general availability on October 18 and the release of Visual Studio 2013 RTW.

So the RTM was merely the current build (as at a month ago) not the final one, and it was released for testing purposes.

So it's not surprising if there's a meaty update required to bring it up to the 8.1 GA. I guess it's possible there may be a new ISO too, on Technet etc.