How to Correctly Install Windows 8.1 Preview

The official documentation that reached the web recently reveal that Windows 8 users should basically make the switch to Windows 8.1 Preview via the Windows Store, as this is the safest, easiest, and fastest way to do it.

Separate ISOs will also be offered for those who wish to set up a dual-boot configuration and install Windows 8.1 Preview on a different partition. Here’s what Microsoft says about it.

How to Correctly Install Windows 8.1 Preview


See also: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

 

[kmint]

It failed to me.

I got the upgrade file, installed, rebooted and got the Upgrade Now thing, I clicked on it and nothing happened.

I tried to start all over again and it wouldn't allow it. It says that the upgrade file has already been installed. If I reboot nothing happens. If I try to uninstall it, I can't find it anywhere.

So I'm stuck in nowhere.

 

[vrosa]

It failed to me.

I got the upgrade file, installed, rebooted and got the Upgrade Now thing, I clicked on it and nothing happened.

I tried to start all over again and it wouldn't allow it. It says that the upgrade file has already been installed. If I reboot nothing happens. If I try to uninstall it, I can't find it anywhere.

So I'm stuck in nowhere.

That's why I created a separated partition, installed a fresh new Windows 8 Pro and than started the Store update.

I hope you can resolve that !

 

[blackroseMD1]

My download through the MS store has just been sitting there saying "Pending" for the last 30 minutes. Guess we'll try this again.

 

[alphanumeric]

Mine failed the first time I updated from the store, I got a 0x8020002e error. I eventually rebooted and tried again and it worked. The system screen now reads Windows 8.1 Pro Preview with Media Center. Anybody else noticed that there is no WEI score now?

 

[Brink]

Mine failed the first time I updated from the store, I got a 0x8020002e error. I eventually rebooted and tried again and it worked. The system screen now reads Windows 8.1 Pro Preview with Media Center. Anybody else noticed that there is no WEI score now?

Interesting. All traces of WEI have been removed in My Windows 8.1 Pro Preview as well. Maybe it'll be added back in the final since this is just a preview.

 

[alphanumeric]

OK, so it's not just me. After having problems updating I wasn't sure if that wasn't a glitch or by design.

 

[alphanumeric]

My download through the MS store has just been sitting there saying "Pending" for the last 30 minutes. Guess we'll try this again.

That may be because of the number of people downloading all at once. I didn't time it but mine took a while.

 

[andyparks]

I hope you can upgrade with the iso dont want to do a fresh install

 

[Brink]

I hope you can upgrade with the iso dont want to do a fresh install

Yes, you would do the steps in OPTION TWO of the tutorial below with the ISO file to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview. However, since your base English (UK) language is not supported by the preview ISO, you will only have the "Keep your files" option, and will lose all apps (Store and desktop).

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/27188-windows-8-1-preview-download-install.html

 

[andyparks]

So it looks like no 8.1 until it gets released

 

[Brink]

So it looks like no 8.1 until it gets released

You could use the ISO to run Windows 8.1 Preview in a virtual machine (ex: VMware Player) if you like to be able to play with it without losing your current installation of Windows 8.

 

[vrosa]

So it looks like no 8.1 until it gets released

You could use the ISO to run Windows 8.1 Preview in a virtual machine (ex: VMware Player) if you like to be able to play with it without losing your current installation of Windows 8.

I installed the Preview from a non-activated copy of Windows 8 (upgrade) and inserted the TechNet key to activate it !

 

[blackroseMD1]

My download through the MS store has just been sitting there saying "Pending" for the last 30 minutes. Guess we'll try this again.

That may be because of the number of people downloading all at once. I didn't time it but mine took a while.

Maybe, although I just came back after 2 hours, woke my computer up from sleep, and that apparently stopped the download. Now I'm back to Pending with 0% downloaded. Guess I'll just try to get it downloaded tonight and give it a shot.

 

[caperjack]

Mine failed the first time I updated from the store, I got a 0x8020002e error. I eventually rebooted and tried again and it worked. The system screen now reads Windows 8.1 Pro Preview with Media Center. Anybody else noticed that there is no WEI score now?

hello, you should have gotten a mvp email with link to site for download ,and lots of info on what to do and not to do ,I had a quick look yesterday ,and when i get a chance i will be installing win8 in duel boot to try 8.1 on

 

[alphanumeric]

Mine failed the first time I updated from the store, I got a 0x8020002e error. I eventually rebooted and tried again and it worked. The system screen now reads Windows 8.1 Pro Preview with Media Center. Anybody else noticed that there is no WEI score now?

hello, you should have gotten a mvp email with link to site for download ,and lots of info on what to do and not to do ,I had a quick look yesterday ,and when i get a chance i will be installing win8 in duel boot to try 8.1 on

I got the e-mail and have downloaded the 64 bit ISO off of TechNet. I plan on doing a clean install from the final ISO image when its released. I had already decided I was going to try the preview and not wait for the final release. I just updated though the store as it should be faster and I wouldn't have to reinstall anything this time around. My only PC with 8 on it is my laptop. If I hadn't resolved my install issue I would have had a go at it using the ISO image I downloaded. It's up and running now so we'll just see how it goes.

 

[caperjack]

got the e-mail and have downloaded the 64 bit ISO off of TechNet. .

.
i never checked technet yet ,didn't realize it was up yet ,will check later ,thanks

 

[ncgmac]

Yesterday after my install my performance was terrible. My I/O was sporadic to the point that my desktop microphone recorded in chops and spurts. I looked this morning at any third party software I had left on before the upgrade. I had forgotten to uninstall Norton. Sure enough, the install was hosed. It showed up in control panel, but did not appear in memory or the menu. Like it was deactivated but still there. I have uninstalled it. I would recommend though, if you have a third party A/V, or third party anything, uninstall before upgrading to the Preview.

 

[CountMike]

So, is there a place to download ISO file. There's some on torrents but how genuine and safe they are is a BIG question mark. I was not going to install it on the main drive (even as I have a backup of it) but have a W8 on a spare drive. All I'm worried about if it would install cleanly without ruining everything. On that spare drive is just a clean version of Win8 pro without any third party stuff except drivers. On MS site, MSDN and Technet there's no iso of it.

 

[vrosa]

Avoid the torrents.

Get from TechNet/MSDN. If you don't have a subscription wait for the public availability later today.

 

[Nemix]

Waiting and looking forward to the official download later today...