Solved Recent frustrations going from Windows 8 to 8.1

[Sayjimwoo]

I have formatted Windows 8.1 many times (Installing Windows 8 then upgrade to 8.1 which is a pain)
I formatted again recently after buying 2 new ssds. (for storage not for the OS)
Anyway, these are my usual Windows 8.1 install steps -

1) Install W8
2) Install intel network drivers to gain internet access
3) Install Windows updates
4) Install W8.1
5) Install intel network drivers again along all remaining drivers.

Recently after formatting to 8.1 I started to install my drivers in order. For some reason the Intel network card drivers would freeze my system when trying to install. I had to hard reboot to get back to windows. Again it would freeze my pc upon installing the network drivers. I resolved it by installing the drivers from the device manager.
But if I tried to uninstall the drivers, my pc would freeze?
I then installed my Corsair Link drivers.....and again my pc froze, hard reboot again. what is causing these freezes? My motherboard?
I formatted 4 more times and I had driver corruption and freezing every time.
I then tested just on Windows 8 without 8.1

1) Install W8
2) Install intel network driver and all remaining drivers
3) Install W8 updates

Now my Windows 8 installation is fine, everything installed perfectly I am concerned whether to upgrade to W8.1 incase it corrupts my ALREADY installed drivers.

Is the update to Windows 8.1 corrupting my system? It never used to. Should I buy a standalone Windows 8.1 disc?
Is anyone else experiencing this?

Thanks in advance.

Current build -

Case: Cosmos Ultra tower II (+9 corsair Performance Edition fans)
MB: Asus Z97 Deluxe
CPU: Intel Core i7 4790k Devils Canyon (4.8ghz stable OC)
Cooler: Corsair H100i
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16 GB 2400 MHz
GPU: GALAX GeForce GTX 980 HOF
SSD: 1x Plextor M6e PCI-Express 256gb (Windows 8.1)
SSD: 1x Plextor M6e PCI-Express 256gb (Origin)
SSD: 2x Samsung 850evo 1tb (Steam)
HDD: 2x WD Black 2tb (bulk storage)
Media: Pioneer BDXL Blu-Ray Player
Icy Box IB-864 Card Reader

PSU: Silverstone 750w
OS: Windows 8.1 Home Premium 64-bit

Mouse: Razer Deathadder 2013
Mousepad: Razer Goliathus
Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth 2014 Elite Mechanical
Headset: Steelseries H 7.1 Headset
Monitor: BenQ XL2720Z 27-inch LED 144hz Gaming Monitor

 

[KYHI]

You may want to check for an updated Intel network driver - not all drivers that work for windows 8 - work properly with windows 8.1

And there is no longer a need to install windows 8 and then upgrade to windows 8.1

Just download and create windows 8.1 setup media - it now reads win 8 and win 8.1 keys
Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

 

[Sayjimwoo]

Thanks you soooooo much KYHI. I have been through months of heartache having to format twice just to have W8.1
I remember trying to burn an official W8.1 iso months ago but it wouldn't accept my W8 key (I never knew why because W8 allows you a free upgrade to W8.1) so I have been doing it the hard way ever since.
Yesterday I even bought a standalone W8.1 from Amazon to get round my system crashing due to upgrading and I was annoyed about spending another £150 but I felt I had no choice.
I have literally just tried the link you sent me and started a format and It accepted my key, so I then quit the installation to quickly to cancel my Amazon W8.1 purchase.
Now I can go back to formatting. I owe you one big time, you have saved me a lot of money and I cannot thank you enough

 

[KYHI]

No need to Thank me - it was all MS,,

Now you just need to find the correct win 8.1 driver for your network adapter

 

[Sayjimwoo]

No need to Thank me - it was all MS,,

Now you just need to find the correct win 8.1 driver for your network adapter

Mission accomplished. I now have W8.1 installed flawlessly with all drivers. The drivers were the latest and for W8/8.1, they were direct from the Asus website specifically for my motherboard.
It just proved that the upgrade to W8.1 was messing with my system. I never used to have problems going from W8 to W8.1 until recently so it must have been a windows update that is causing my problems