Upgrade Install to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1

How to Upgrade from Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, or XP to Windows 8 or 8.1 ​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to do a upgrade install to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 from Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, or XP.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.

For more information about Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, see:

• Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99
• Upgrade to Windows 8 - Microsoft Windows
• Upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7
• Buy Windows - Microsoft Windows

   Note

Windows 8 frequently asked questions

You can only upgrade from 32-bit (x86) to 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) to 64-bit (x64). You would have to do a clean install instead to go from 32-bit (x86) to 64-bit (x64) or 64-bit (x64) to 32-bit (x86).

If you choose to start your PC from removable media that you created when you downloaded the Windows 8 upgrade files, you won’t be able to keep your apps, Windows settings, or personal files when you upgrade.

Upgrade from:	To: Windows 8 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 8	You keep your Windows settings, personal files, and applications
Windows 8 Release Preview	You only keep user accounts and files
Windows 8 Consumer Preview	Nothing (your files will be saved in the Windows.old folder)
Windows 8 Developer Preview	Nothing (your files will be saved in the Windows.old folder)
Windows 7	You keep your Windows settings, personal files, and applications
Vista SP1 or later	You keep Windows settings and personal files
Vista	You keep your personal files only
XP SP3	You keep your personal files only

Upgrade from:	To: Windows 8.1 (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 8	You keep Windows settings, personal files, and most apps
Windows 7	You keep your personal files only
Vista	You keep nothing—you must boot from media and perform a clean installation
XP	You keep nothing—you must boot from media and perform a clean installation

Windows 8 Upgrade Paths
NOTE: Upgrade installations from retail versions of Windows to Volume License versions of Windows is not supported. To change from a retail version of Windows to a Volume License version of Windows, you must perform a clean installation.

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Upgrade to Windows 8	Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro	Upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows 7 Starter	Windows 7 Starter	Windows 7 Professional (Volume License)
Windows 7 Home Basic	Windows 7 Home Basic	Windows 7 Enterprise (Volume License)
Windows 7 Home Premium	Windows 7 Home Premium	Windows 8 (Volume License)
	Windows 7 Professional
	Windows 7 Ultimate

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Upgrade to Windows 8.1	Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro	Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Enterprise
Windows 8	Windows 8	Windows 8 Pro (Volume License)
	Windows 8 Pro	Windows 8 Pro with Media Center (Volume License)
	Windows 8 Pro with Media Center	Windows 8 Enterprise (Volume License)

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Windows 8 System Requirements
Windows 8 works great on the same hardware that powers Windows 7.

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2

RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)

Hard disk space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device or higher with WDDM driver

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• Internet access for activation.
• To use touch, you need a tablet or a monitor that supports multitouch. (more info)
• To access the Windows Store and to download and run apps, you need an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768.
• To snap apps, you need a screen resolution of at least 1366 x 768.

   Warning

MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

Windows 8 EULA

What about upgrading the software?
The software covered by this agreement is an upgrade to your existing operating system software, so the upgrade replaces the original software that you are upgrading. You do not retain any rights to the original software after you have upgraded and you may not continue to use it or transfer it in any way. This agreement governs your rights to use the upgrade software and replaces the agreement for the software from which you upgraded. After you complete your upgrade, additional software will be required to playback or record certain types of media, including DVDs.

   Warning

If you UEFI instead of BIOS, then see this below first.

How to Install Windows 8 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)

CONTENTS:

• Option One: To Upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1 Update with Only a Product Key
• Option Two: To Upgrade to Windows 8 using the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant"
• Option Three: Upgrade from Windows 8 to 8 Pro OR from Windows 8.1 to 8.1 Pro
• Option Four: To Upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1 using an ISO, DVD, or USB flash drive

OPTION ONE

To Upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1 Update with Only a Product Key

NOTE: This option is when you already have purchased Windows 8, have a Windows 8 or 8.1 product key, and do not have any Windows installation media (ex: ISO, DVD, USB) to install with.

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1. If you have not already, you will need to uninstall any 3rd party AV or security program you have installed first to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade to Windows 8/8.1. You can reinstall it after Windows 8/8.1 has finished installing.​

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2. Click/tap on the link for the Microsoft site below, and click/tap on the Install Windows 8 or Install Windows 8.1 button at the site to download and run the Windows8-Setup.exe (Windows 8) or WindowsSetupBox.exe (Windows 8.1) file.​

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US: Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help​

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UK: Upgrading Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help​

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3. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).​

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4. Type in your Windows product key number, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

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   Warning

You will only be able to enter a Windows 8 product key when installing Windows 8.

   Warning

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You will only be able to enter a Windows 8.1 product key when installing Windows 8.1.​

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See also: Solved - Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.​

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You will not be able to enter a Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack product key. These are considered to be an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8. These can only be added after Windows 8 is installed, then use Add Features to upgrade to the Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack.​

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5. You will now see what Windows 8 will be installed. Click/tap on Next if correct. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: This is based on the product key you entered at step 3 above.​

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6. Windows 8 will now begin to download. (see screenshot below)​

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7. When it's finished downloading, select (dot) Install Now, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

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8. Go to step 7 in OPTION FOUR below.​

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OPTION TWO

To Upgrade to Windows 8 using the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant"

NOTE: This option is to both purchase and upgrade to Windows 8.

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1. Do the tutorial below, select the Install Now (step 17) option while doing it.​

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How to Download and Run the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant" or "Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant"​

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2. Go to step 7 in OPTION FOUR below.​

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OPTION THREE

Upgrade from Windows 8 to 8 Pro OR from Windows 8.1 to 8.1 Pro

   Note

This option is to be able to quickly do one of the following below using Add Features to Windows 8 or Add Features to Windows 8.1 without losing anything.

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1. If you already have a Windows 8/8.1 Pro key, then use step 8 for the I already have a product key option in the tutorial link below.​

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2. If you only have a Windows 8/8.1 key, then use step 9 for the I want to buy a product key online option in the tutorial link below to purchase a Windows Pro key.​

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How to Add Features to Windows 8 and 8.1​

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OPTION FOUR

To Upgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1 using an ISO, DVD, or USB flash drive

NOTE: This option is to upgrade to Windows 8 using you Windows 8 ISO or Windows 8 installation DVD/USB.


1. If you have not already, you will need to uninstall any 3rd party AV or security program you have installed first to prevent it from interfering with the upgrade to Windows 8/8.1. You can reinstall it after Windows 8/8.1 has finished installing.

2. If you have not already, you will need to either create a Windows 8 installation USB or DVD with your Windows 8 or 8.1 ISO file, OR mount the Windows 8/8.1 ISO file.

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Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO - Download or Create​

3. From within the current Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, or XP SP3, open the Windows 8/8.1 USB/DVD or mounted ISO file, run the setup.exe file, and close the Explorer window. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: For example, I did this from within Windows 7.

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4. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).

5. Select (dot) Go online to install updates now, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: If you would like to help with Windows 8, then you could also check the box at the bottom as well.

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6. When it's finished checking your computer for any updates, enter your Windows 8 product key number, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

   Warning

You will only be able to enter a Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro product key.

See also: Solved - Activate retail Windows 8.1 with Windows 8 Product key.

You will not be able to enter a Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack product key. These are considered to be an upgrade key and can't be used to install Windows 8. These can only be added after Windows 8 is installed, then use Add Features to upgrade to the Window Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Pro Pack.

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7. Check the I agree to the license agreement box, and click/tap on Accept. (see screenshot below)

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8. Select (dot) what you would like to keep in Windows 8 from your Windows 7, Vista, or XP, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: The options you have available here will vary.

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9. Windows 8 will now check for compatibility issues to see if you'll need to do anything to get your PC ready for Windows 8. If anything is found, you will need to take care of it being continuing. (see screenshot below)

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10. If no issues were found from step 9 above, then click/tap on the Install button. (see screenshot below)

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11. Windows 8 will now start to install. The computer will restart a few times during this. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This will take a while to finish.

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12. When it's finished, select a color you like, and click/tap Next. (see screenshot below)

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13. Select either the Use express settings or Customize button depending on how you want to set these settings. (see screenshot below)

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A) If you select Use express settings, then go to step 18 below.​

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B) If you select Customize, then continue on to step 14 below.​

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14. Select the share settings you would like. (see screenshot below)

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15. Select the Windows Update and IE security settings that you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

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16. Select the settings that you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

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17. Select the settings that you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

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18. Sign in by typing in your user password from your Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 7, Vista, or XP that you are upgrading from, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

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19. Do either step 20, or 21 below depending on if your would like to log on to Windows 8 with either your current local user account from step 18 above, or a Microsoft account. (see screenshot below)

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20. If you want to Sign in to Windows 8 with your Current Local Account

   Note

Local account:

• You use a user name (and password if you want one) to sign in to Windows 8 just like it was in Vista and Windows 7.
• A local user account gives you access to only the PC it's on. You will need a separate user account created on each PC you use.
• None of your settings will be synced between the PCs you use, and you won't get the benefits of connecting your PC to the cloud.

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A) Click/tap on the Skip button, and go to step 22 below. (see screenshot below step 19)​

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A) Click/tap on the Sign in without a Microsoft account link. (see screenshot below step 19)​

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B) Click/tap on the Use my current local account button, and go to step 22 below. (see screenshot below)​

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21. If you want to Sign in to Windows 8 with a Microsoft Account

   Note

Microsoft account:

• You use youremail address and password to sign in to Windows 8.
• When you sign in with a Microsoft account, your PC is connected to the cloud.
• Your friends’ contact info and statuses are automatically up to date from your Hotmail, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other accounts.
• You can get to and share your photos, documents, and other files from SkyDrive, Facebook, Flickr, and other accounts without signing in to each one.
• Your personal settings are synced to any PC running Windows 8 that you sign in to, including your themes, language preferences, browser favorites, and apps.
• You can get apps in the Windows Store and use them on any PC running Windows 8 that you sign in to.
• Easily reacquire your Metro style apps on multiple Windows 8 PCs. The app’s settings and last-used state persist across all your Windows 8 PCs.
• You can associate the most commonly used Windows settings to your user account. In this way, the saved settings are available when you sign in to your account on any Windows 8 PC. So your PC will be set up just the way you are used to.
• You can also save time with sign-in credentials, because now the same credentials are available for the different apps and websites you use and you can easily get back into them without having to enter credentials every time.
• You can automatically sign in to apps and services that use Windows Live ID for authentication.

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A) Type in your Windows Live ID email address, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below step 19)​

NOTE: If you do not have a Windows Live ID email address, then click on Sign up for a new email address link to get one.​

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B) Enter the password for the email address, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: If you do not have a Windows Live ID email address, then click on Sign up for a Microsoft account link to get one.​

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C) Enter security verification info if you like, click/tap on Next, and go to step 22 below. (see screenshots below)​

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22. In Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, click/tap on Next if you want to enable OneDrive integration. (see screenshot below)

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23. Windows 8 will now prepare your PC for your user account.

24. Congratulations, you have finished upgrading your Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows 7, Vista, or XP to Windows 8. (see screenshots below)

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25. You will notice that you will have a C:\$Windows.~BT and a C:\Windows.old folder that contains copies of files from the previous Windows installation. (see screenshot below)

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26. If there's nothing in them that you would like to copy back into Windows 8 from the C:\Windows.old folder, then you could use Disk Cleanup to delete the Previous Windows installation(s), Temporary Windows installation files, and Windows upgrade log files items to free up the large amount HDD space that they take. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: This step will delete C:\$Windows.~BT and the C:\Windows.old folder from step 25 above.

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27. It is highly recommened that you create a password reset disk for your user account just in case you forget it later. You will be able to use it to reset your user account password.

28. Install any needed drivers for your devices.



That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Update to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8
• How to Downgrade Windows 8 to Windows 7
• How to Do a Clean Install with Windows 8 Upgrade
• How to Download and Run the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant"
• How to Create or Download a Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 ISO
• How to Create a Bootable USB or DVD with the Windows 8 and 8.1 ISO
• How to Do a Clean Install of Windows 8 or Windows 8.1
• How to Install Windows 8 Using "Unified Extensible Firmware Interface" (UEFI)
• How to Do a Dual Boot Installation with Windows 8 and Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Create a Windows 8 VHD at Boot to Dual Boot with Windows 7 or Vista
• How to Delete the "Windows.old" Folder in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Install Windows 8 and 8.1 on VMware Player
• How to Install Windows 8 and 8.1 on VirtualBox
• How to Find Your Windows 8 and 8.1 Product Key Number

 

[Brink]

I upgraded from Windows 7 Ultimate to Windows 8 Pro this past Sunday using the $39.95 Microsoft upgrade link. It went smoothly all the way through Win8 authentication & updates. The Win8 key was embedded in the upgrade file so I didn't even have to enter anything.

If my OS gets corrupted in the future for any reason and there is a need to reinstall Win8Pro, is the Win8 upgrade ISO or disk capable of installing a full version of Win8? If not, how would we handle such a situation? It would be truly cumbersome to have to reinstall Windows 7 just to use the Win8 upgrade file to get back to Windows 8.

Hello cyberbiker,

Yes, you could use the ISO, or create a bootable USB/DVD with the ISO, to use to reinstall Window 8 without having to install Windows 7 first. You would just need to be sure to enter your Windows 8 upgrade product key number during the installation.

 

[cyberbiker]

Great. Thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge, as always.

I'm a bit surprised Microsoft seems to have loosened its authentication methods during this transition. When purchasing a $39.99 Window 8 upgrade from a computer using any previous version of Windows, MS does not check the authentication of the existing OS, nor does it ask you for the old key. You are simply issued a new Win8 key, which is also embedded in the upgrade. Therefore, anyone can install a Windows 7 version (and perhaps XP or Vista), authenticated or not, and purchase the Win8 upgrade for $39.99.

The upgrade from Win7ULTx64 (unauthenticated) to Win8PROx64 took about 1.5 hours (with my CPU). When you buy and download the Win8 upgrade, the Win8 key is embedded in it so authentication takes place, once installed, when you first connect to the net without entering a key. I also understand from MyDigitalLife.com that there is no check on the $14.99 upgrade for new computers with Windows 8 since June 1, 2012. You just type in the purchase info with no other check.

I imagine MS will fix this hole in the next few days.

Proof
Last week I upgraded from VistaHPx64 to Win7ULTx64. I meant to install Win7HPx64, but didn't realize my error until the installation for Ultimate was underway. I therefore did not enter my Win7HPx64 key at the end of the installation while I figured out how to deal with the glitch. After release, I bought Win8PROx64 upgrade for $39.99 on that computer, even though Win7ULTx64 was not authenticated on it. The installation and authentication of Win8PROx64 worked without a hitch.

 

[bagavan]

Brink, even I have a similar question, suppose my os is damaged,then install win7 then upgrade to 8,can I use the same upgrade key to activate on the same computer??I hope this is not against MS terms.

 

[Brink]

Hello Bagavan,

You could do a clean install of the upgrade Windows 8 without having to install Windows 7 first if you like.

The only requirements is that in the red warning box at the top of the tutorial on the first page. You just cannot have both of them installed at the same time. Only one or the other.

 

[audierey20]

Hello I'm upgrading my Windows 7 ultimate to Windows 8 Pro, and actually I'm already at the step 11, but it takes so much time. and its just on a loading manner. No rebooting process is happening. I selected the " Keep files and apps" on the options. does this case is natural when you selected the Keep files and apps on the options ? Thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Audierey, and welcome to Eight Forums.

It can take a while for an upgrade installation to finish. Especially if you have a lot on the Windows 7 drive. It's best to let it finish.

Please let us know how it went for you.

 

[cyberbiker]

Audrey, it literally took me 11 hours to keep apps and settings and upgrade from Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate. Then it took another 2 hours to keep apps and settings to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro.

Be patient! 11 hours is a long time. Sometimes it seems it is doing nothing. Just find something else to do and come back in a few hours. The upgrade doesn't need you to be present.

 

[lostinohio]

Hi,
I'm trying to install my windows 8 upgrade. My os right now is windows 7. I made it to the step that asked me to uninstall incompatible programs. I then restarted my computer. When the windows 8 setup assistant window popped back at up it said that it was checking to make sure I am ready to install. It then says that "something happened; we can't tell if your pc is ready to continue installing windows 8. Try restarting setup." I tried restarting setup however the same message popped up. I tried restarting my computer with the same results. Not sure where to go from here

thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello listinohio, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you are using the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant", then I would recommend to create an ISO first, then create a USB or DVD from the ISO to use with the actual upgrade instead.

Have you already uninstalled any 3rd party security programs (AC/firewall) before doing the upgrade.?

 

[lostinohio]

Yes I have already uninstalled security programs. ISO? Sorry not overly computer savvy

 

[Brink]

Yes I have already uninstalled security programs. ISO? Sorry not overly computer savvy

Just to clarify first, what type of Windows 8 upgrade media (DVD, USB, ISO, "Windows 8 Upgrade Assisitant", etc...) are you using to do the upgrade with?

Did you want to do a clean install instead of an upgrade install?

 

[lostinohio]

I am using the windows 8 upgrade assistant. What would b the advantage of a clean install over an upgrade install

 

[Brink]

A clean install will format your current OS and give you a fresh install of Windows 8. A clean install will usually have a lot less risk of developing issues by not having anything from the previous OS carried over into it. However, you will have to reinstall all of your programs and drivers after doing a clean install.


When you get to step 17 in the "Windows 8 Upgrade Assisitant" tutorial below, you could select the Install by creating media option for the ISO. Afterwards, you could create a bootable DVD or USB flash drive with the ISO to do the clean install with.


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/11885-windows-8-upgrade-assistant-download-run.html

 

[eldinv]

Great stuff Brink

 

[Brink]

Thank you sir.

 

[I AM LEGEND]

gr8 tutorial mr Brink, I know u from sevenformus, u are very helping person,
I only have one question, I thinking to upgrade win 8 on win 7, but I read this in somewhere that windows 8 installation requires the Hardware Acceleration. If cpu model is older then i series then you should download and installed Intel(R) Processor ID Utility for checking Intel cpu,
so, my cpu is dual core which is older then I series. what should I do now,? does it means that win8 wont install on a dual core cpu.!!
note that I have a RTM version of win8, few months before, I successfully installed consumer preview on this laptop, but it was a clean installation,
now I hesitate to upgrade win8 pro 32bits RTM on win7 ultimate 32bits.
(sorry 4 my English)

 

[ummagumma]

Hi Brink,
Is it ok to delete the Windows.old folder? When I did the upgrade It asked if I wanted to leave any files, I answered with Leave nothing but it still created the Windows.old folder.
Also what is VC_RED on C drive please?

 

[Brink]

Hello ummagumma,

If there's nothing in them that you would like to copy back into Windows 8 from the C:\Windows.old folder, then it's perfectly safe to delete the Windows.old folder using step 25.

This is what I found on VC_Red.

What Is This VC_Red File On My PC?! | Making Windows Easy - All Things Microsoft, Software, and the Web

 

[Brink]

gr8 tutorial mr Brink, I know u from sevenformus, u are very helping person,
I only have one question, I thinking to upgrade win 8 on win 7, but I read this in somewhere that windows 8 installation requires the Hardware Acceleration. If cpu model is older then i series then you should download and installed Intel(R) Processor ID Utility for checking Intel cpu,
so, my cpu is dual core which is older then I series. what should I do now,? does it means that win8 wont install on a dual core cpu.!!
note that I have a RTM version of win8, few months before, I successfully installed consumer preview on this laptop, but it was a clean installation,
now I hesitate to upgrade win8 pro 32bits RTM on win7 ultimate 32bits.
(sorry 4 my English)

Hello I Am Legend,

Windows 8 only requires a processor that is 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2.

If you like you can run the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant only up to step 6 in the tutorial below for it to check and see what is compatible and not compatible about your system with Windows 8.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/11885-windows-8-upgrade-assistant-download-run.html

Hope this helps.

 

[ummagumma]

Thanks again Brink, so glad i found this forum I will get rid of the Windows.old file later. Reading about the VC_RED folder, it seems to contain some of the windows 8 Installation files, although its not that big only 1.83 MB