Windows 8.1 General Availability: The IT Pro Perspective

As Windows 8.1 has reached general availability, I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage IT professionals everywhere to download the Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation and start planning for deployment in your organization. This free 90-day evaluation software is designed specifically to help you test your apps and hardware with the final release of Windows 8.1 Enterprise, and to help you thoroughly explore how the new features described in What's New in Windows 8.1 can benefit your organization.

The general availability of Windows 8.1 is also a great time to test and potentially optimize your deployment strategies and processes. All of Microsoft’s essential deployment tools have been updated for Windows 8.1, including:

  • Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013 – The newest version of this popular free tool enables you to automate the creation and deployment of Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, as well as Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
  • Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) for Windows 8.1 – Available in 11 languages, the Windows ADK includes the tools and guidance you need to customize and automate the large-scale installation of Windows 8.1 across an organization—and measure the operational characteristics (performance, reliability, and functionality) of a computer.
  • System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager – The latest version of Configuration Manager supports Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 deployment, software distribution, and more; and a free 180-day trial is available.

We have received a lot of questions about the upgrade and migration process with Windows 8.1. First, the Windows 8.1 media available now at general availability (GA) includes additional updates from the release to manufacturing (RTM) media offered in July. As a result, we recommend that you use the GA media when deploying Windows 8.1. If you have already deployed Windows 8.1 with RTM media, you will receive the GA updates via Windows Update.

Now, here is a quick summary of what you need to know:


Upgrading from Windows 8 Enterprise to Windows 8.1 Enterprise:

Download your Windows 8.1 Enterprise media from the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Please note that Windows 8.1 Enterprise cannot be updated from the Windows Store; it can only updated using media obtained from the VLSC. Use this media to either:
  • Perform an in-place update of existing Windows 8 Enterprise installations.
  • Refresh existing computers using MDT 2013 or System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager*, or burn the media to a DVD or copy to a USB key for simple installation.


Upgrading from Windows 8 (non-Enterprise SKU) to Windows 8.1:


If you have computers running Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro (retail- or OEM-activated), or Windows RT, follow the steps on the Windows 8.1 product site to install Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store. If you have trouble downloading from the Windows Store then please refer to the article Why can’t I find the update in the store.
If you have computers running Windows 8 Pro that are volume activated, follow the same steps listed above for “Upgrading from Windows 8 Enterprise to Windows 8.1 Enterprise.”


Upgrading from Windows 8.1 Preview to Windows 8.1

While computers running Windows 8.1 Preview can be updated to the final Windows 8.1 release, this update process will only migrate the data on the device. All applications (from the Windows Store or desktop applications) will need to be reinstalled as part of this process.


Upgrading from an earlier operating system, or performing a clean installation

Download your Windows 8.1 media from the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Use this with MDT 2013 or System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager to refresh existing computers. MDT and Configuration Manager (or other similar tools) can be used to automate the move to Windows 8.1 while preserving data and settings, and can also install any needed applications as part of that process. If you want to perform a clean installation then you can also burn the media to a DVD or copy it to a USB key for simple installation.


What about activation?

If you are using a down-level Key Management Service (KMS) to activate your Windows 8.1 devices, you will need to update your KMS server. The update is available for download now and extends the Key Management Service (KMS) for Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 to enable the enterprise licensing of Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. New KMS keys are required to activate Windows 8.1; you can get your keys from the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).


Where can I find more information?

For more resources to help you explore, plan for, deploy, and support Windows 8.1 in your organization, please visit the Springboard Series for Windows 8 on TechNet. Also, if you aren’t already a subscriber, sign up for the Springboard Series Insider newsletter to ensure that you receive information about the latest tools and resources, exclusive tips from Microsoft product team and community experts, and opportunities to connect with us directly at events near you.*Note: To deploy Windows 8.1 with System Center, you must use System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager or System Center 2012 Configuration Manager SP1 CU3.

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Brink there is no way to do a clean install with this upgrade unless you buy the full retail version of Windows 8.1?
I have Windows 8 Pro now,this was an upgrade disc at the time i did it,i was able to do a clean install then.I am Just asking,there is alot of confusing talk on here about having the ISO of this 8.1 Upgrade.I did see your tutorials on it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
Hello JSD,

Nope. "Updating" to Windows 8.1 via the Store in Windows 8 is just an update to Windows 8, and doesn't give you a separate Windows 8.1 key. If you ever want to clean install Windows 8.1 in the future, you will need to first clean install Windows 8 and activate it with your Windows 8 product key. Afterwards, update to 8.1 from the Store again. This is because you do not have a Windows 8.1 product key to be able clean install directly with Windows 8.1.


You could get a retail Windows 8.1 product key if you purchased Windows 8.1 through a retail outlet or Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant. You would only be able to download a Windows 8.1 ISO file if you have a "retail" Windows 8.1 product key.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-upgrade-iso-download-create.html
 

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
Hi Brink,
Thanks Brink for clearing that up for me.I was confused on all the talk on Windows 8.1 update release here,had me thinking they were saying this was possible,but i believe it was just that they wanted an ISO,instead of downloading the update,from either coming from a preview of 8.1.

I kind of knew from my knowledge this was not possible from what i asked.

Truthfully i would rather be able to do a clean install directly with a Windows 8.1.retail disc,always best that way.

Then do a clean install of Windows 8,then do the update.Since with upgrade disc i did it this way,a clean install.

But i may try it out with the update before i would think of buying a retail copy of 8.1,Thanks again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1502 (GX1502)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 5820K 3.30 GHZ 64 bit 6-Core Processor
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X99-UD3
    Memory
    G.Skill 16GB Quad Channel DDR4-2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0+ DDR5 4GB
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster ZxR 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS PA24Q 24" Pro Art IPS LCD/LED Backlit 1920x1200
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 16:10
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG 850 EVO 250GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    Crucial MX100 512GB SATA 6Gb/s 2.5" Internal SSD,
    WD WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5 Internal HDD
    PSU
    EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W 80 Plus Gold Full Modular
    Case
    AZZA Cosmas Black Gaming Case
    Cooling
    Cool Master Hyper 212 Evo Dual 120mm, ( 2) Noctua PWM 120mm Case Fans (1) Gelid PWM 120mm Blue LED
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800 Illumiated Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball
    Internet Speed
    84mbps /94mbps
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox 41.0.1 / Microsoft Edge/ IE 11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security 2015
    Other Info
    Pioneer BDR-209DBK 16x Blu-Ray Burner, LG 24x Dual Layer DVD Burner,
    StarTech Front Bay 22-in-1 USB 2.0 Internal Multi Media Memory Card Reader,Logitech Z906 5.1 Speaker system
You're most welcome. :)
 

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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