Microsoft: You Won’t Need a Clean Install to Move to W8.1

Microsoft will soon launch the new Windows 8.1 Preview, so all customers now running Windows 8 will be allowed to make the move to this version via the Windows Store.

In an interview with TechTarget, Erwin Visser, general manager of the Windows commercial division, explained that users should install Windows 8.1 though the built-in update option and not necessarily by performing a clean install.

Microsoft: You Won?t Need a Clean Install to Move to Windows 8.1

 

[robinb9]

ok i take it back!
when on a windows 8 machine you see the get the update
I was looking at it on a windows 7 machine and that is why i could not see it

robin

 

[HippsieGypsie]

My apology. I should have stated option 1 of the tute.

Ok, you have it. Good luck with your install. I wasn't able to get it to install that route.

 

[robinb9]

I am thinking of putting it on a windows 7 test machine that is haunted, I am going to do a windows 8 upgrade to it then the 8.1, I just do not like the idea that you cannot uninstall it but when the preview is over, do you have to wipe the machine and start all over or can you pick up the 8.1 final?

 

[Wenda]

You probably won't be able to upgrade from the beta (yes, I know that MS changed the name to 'preview', but a rose by any other name...) to the final.

For this reason, I took a system image of my Win 8 setup before installing 8.1 so when the 8.1 final is released I can restore the Win 8 image and then (hopefully) upgrade over that.

But if I have to do a fresh install, that's no real biggie.


Wenda.

 

[Phone Man]

I am thinking of putting it on a windows 7 test machine that is haunted, I am going to do a windows 8 upgrade to it then the 8.1, I just do not like the idea that you cannot uninstall it but when the preview is over, do you have to wipe the machine and start all over or can you pick up the 8.1 final?

1) Update from 8 to 8.1 Preview - keeps everything.
2) Update from 8 to 8.1 RTM - keeps everything
3) Update from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 RTM - keeps personal files only.

Just make an image of the 8 install before updating to 8.1 Preview. Then restore from the image and you can update to 8.1 RTM.

Jim

 

[robinb9]

I have 8. Not the RTM version

 

[Wenda]

I am thinking of putting it on a windows 7 test machine that is haunted, I am going to do a windows 8 upgrade to it then the 8.1, I just do not like the idea that you cannot uninstall it but when the preview is over, do you have to wipe the machine and start all over or can you pick up the 8.1 final?

1) Update from 8 to 8.1 Preview - keeps everything.
2) Update from 8 to 8.1 RTM - keeps everything
3) Update from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 RTM - keeps personal files only.

Just make an image of the 8 install before updating to 8.1 Preview. Then restore from the image and you can update to 8.1 RTM.

Jim

Pretty-well spot-on, PhoneMan, with one caveat...

If you use the ISO to install 8.1 it will let you keep either 'Files and Settings' or 'Nothing'.

At least in my instance, the option to keep everything was not available.

But, since I ended up having to do a 'virgin' installation anyway, it wasn't a biggie.


Wenda.

 

[robinb9]

So that would mean I could put the final on top of it right?
This test machine is so flaky I would rather just reinstall windows 8 pro that will be on it rather than image it

 

[Phone Man]

I am thinking of putting it on a windows 7 test machine that is haunted, I am going to do a windows 8 upgrade to it then the 8.1, I just do not like the idea that you cannot uninstall it but when the preview is over, do you have to wipe the machine and start all over or can you pick up the 8.1 final?

1) Update from 8 to 8.1 Preview - keeps everything.
2) Update from 8 to 8.1 RTM - keeps everything
3) Update from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 RTM - keeps personal files only.

Just make an image of the 8 install before updating to 8.1 Preview. Then restore from the image and you can update to 8.1 RTM.

Jim

Pretty-well spot-on, PhoneMan, with one caveat...

If you use the ISO to install 8.1 it will let you keep either 'Files and Settings' or 'Nothing'.

At least in my instance, the option to keep everything was not available.

But, since I ended up having to do a 'virgin' installation anyway, it wasn't a biggie.


Wenda.

My post was referring to the update from the Store. The ISO is different.

Jim

 

[Wenda]

1) Update from 8 to 8.1 Preview - keeps everything.
2) Update from 8 to 8.1 RTM - keeps everything
3) Update from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 RTM - keeps personal files only.

Just make an image of the 8 install before updating to 8.1 Preview. Then restore from the image and you can update to 8.1 RTM.

Jim

Sorry.

Pretty-well spot-on, PhoneMan, with one caveat...

If you use the ISO to install 8.1 it will let you keep either 'Files and Settings' or 'Nothing'.

At least in my instance, the option to keep everything was not available.

But, since I ended up having to do a 'virgin' installation anyway, it wasn't a biggie.


Wenda.

My post was referring to the update from the Store. The ISO is different.

Jim

Sorry, Jim, my bad. I didn't realise you were being specific re the Store version.

Handy info to have, though, for those who may be confused re the difference.

Have a good one.


Wenda.

 

[Phone Man]

Sorry.

Pretty-well spot-on, PhoneMan, with one caveat...

If you use the ISO to install 8.1 it will let you keep either 'Files and Settings' or 'Nothing'.

At least in my instance, the option to keep everything was not available.

But, since I ended up having to do a 'virgin' installation anyway, it wasn't a biggie.


Wenda.

My post was referring to the update from the Store. The ISO is different.

Jim

Sorry, Jim, my bad. I didn't realise you were being specific re the Store version.

Handy info to have, though, for those who may be confused re the difference.

Have a good one.


Wenda.

No problem, I should have made it clear I was talking about the Store only. Glad you brought up the difference about the ISO.

Jim