Updating from Vista to 8.1 without an installation disk

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VistaHell

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Is this possible?

I have a code and I've just been researching/trying to work out how to do this for the past few days with no real success. As far as I'm aware I could make my own bootable USB/disk but the windows 8.1 updater doesn't work on Vista. I thought I could maybe make the USB with my brother's PC which runs 8.1 but the program asks for the code and I'm not sure whether that would lock that code to his PC or not.

Failing that I thought I could maybe download the iso (I think that's what it's called) and make the USB without the official windows 8.1 program though I'm not sure of that either.

Apologies if I've got anything wrong and I would be grateful for any help at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista

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
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    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
Brink said:
Hello,

When you say "code" do you mean have a retail product key?

If so, then yes you could download an ISO file on your brother's computer without it affecting you to be able to install and activate on your computer.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/18309-windows-8-windows-8-1-iso-download-create.html
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I mean. I've just been unsure if all of this works fine for upgrading a computer with Vista installed.

So I would be fine using the key on my brother's PC, running the Upgrade program, sorting the bootable USB/disk then using that usb or disk to upgrade on my Vista PC to 8.1 with the same key?

EDIT: Or is it option 3?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista
You will not be able to use your brother's key to install and activate Windows 8.1 on your computer if that's what you meant.

You would need to have your own separate Windows 8/8.1 product key to use to install and activate on your computer.
 

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
Brink said:
You will not be able to use your brother's key to install and activate Windows 8.1 on your computer if that's what you meant.

You would need to have your own separate Windows 8/8.1 product key to use to install and activate on your computer.
Click to expand...

I have my own key but the 8.1 upgrade program doesn't work on my Vista PC. Sorry if I'm not explaining it very well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista
That's ok. I was just making sure I understood you correctly.

You should have no problem downloading the ISO file with your key on your brother's computer. Afterwards, create the USB on your brother's computer, then be able to use it to install at boot and activate Windows on your computer. :)
 

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
Brink said:
That's ok. I was just making sure I understood you correctly.

You should have no problem downloading the ISO file with your key on your brother's computer. Afterwards, create the USB on your brother's computer, then be able to use it to install at boot and activate Windows on your computer. :)
Click to expand...

Okay, I'll do that tomorrow, thanks for the help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista
Not sure what you're expecting in terms of "updating" from Vista. If you mean "replace" Vista with Win8, as in losing all the existing applications resulting from a clean install, then that's what's going to happen.

From the MS Win8.1 FAQ:
If you're running Windows Vista or Windows XP, you'll need to perform a clean installation with a DVD.
Click to expand...
 

My Computer

System One

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