Updating volume license copy of Windows 8 Pro

[Lisa Sampson]

Hi guys,


I am looking for some answers on how I may update my Windows 8 Pro computer to 8.1 and then to the 8.1 update, if possible.


It's a volume licensed copy of Windows and I have no access to these updates. From what I've read, I need an MSN (what ever it's called) subscription to have access to these updates. I've seen articles around the web with ways to update, such as this one William's Blog: How to upgrade Windows 8 volume license to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store but I do not want to do anything illegal or mess up my computer, so I want to be safe and ask you knowledgeable guys first. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

 

[adamf]

Well you could get an MSDN subscription but at $699 (How to buy) for the year it isn't a cheap way to do what you want.

Unfortunately you can't legitimately upgrade from Enterprise to Pro - you'll need to buy the normal version and do a clean install. 8.1 costs $120 from Microsoft. 8.1 Pro is $200 (Buy Windows 8.1 Pro - Microsoft Store). You might find it cheaper elsewhere but personally I would not risk it - you'll end up buying a non-legitimate key. If it was my money I'd buy the standard Windows rather than the Pro version - the only thing you would need Pro for is joining a domain and in that case your company would pay for it. All the other "advantages" have free alternatives but see here http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32281-compare-windows-8-1-editions.html in case any of them are worth $80 to you.

On the bright side it is far cheaper than in the past. I paid $190 to upgrade from 7 Pro to Ultimate just to get the language packs which are now free.

 

[Lisa Sampson]

Well you could get an MSDN subscription but at $699 (How to buy) for the year it isn't a cheap way to do what you want.

Unfortunately you can't legitimately upgrade from Enterprise to Pro - you'll need to buy the normal version and do a clean install. 8.1 costs $120 from Microsoft. 8.1 Pro is $200 (Buy Windows 8.1 Pro - Microsoft Store). You might find it cheaper elsewhere but personally I would not risk it - you'll end up buying a non-legitimate key. If it was my money I'd buy the standard Windows rather than the Pro version - the only thing you would need Pro for is joining a domain and in that case your company would pay for it. All the other "advantages" have free alternatives but see here http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/32281-compare-windows-8-1-editions.html in case any of them are worth $80 to you.

On the bright side it is far cheaper than in the past. I paid $190 to upgrade from 7 Pro to Ultimate just to get the language packs which are now free.

I already have Windows 8 Pro, not enterprise. I am wanting to update Pro to 8.1 Pro.

Doesn't look like I can update without spending more money, so I guess I'll just have to stick with what I have. Thank you very much for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[owenspal]

Lisa you say you have Win8 pro...if so the update/upgrade to Win8.1 is freely available at the Windows Store. The upgrade at the store now includes the Apr8 update which will make your installation Win8.1.1.

 

[Lisa Sampson]

Lisa you say you have Win8 pro...if so the update/upgrade to Win8.1 is freely available at the Windows Store. The upgrade at the store now includes the Apr8 update which will make your installation Win8.1.1.

Hi,

I do not see these updates because I have a volume license copy of Windows and apparently you can only update these versions of Windows through Microsoft's volume licensing center, which I do not have an account for. Had I known all this I could've just stuck with my copy of Windows 7.

I am not having any issues with my computer, just was thinking I need to update to keep my pc better protected. I dunno.

 

[pparks1]

You can update these copies just like anything else, you don't update them through the volume license service center. You did say you had 8 PRO.

Now 8 enterprise on the other hand is different. It was never meant for individuals to use, but rather corporate IT environments. As such, they disable the update via the store to prevent employees from upgrading their work computers. These types of upgrades can cause problems in corporate environments with compatibility with monitoring and management systems. Here is a link describing what has to be done with enterprise.
http://m.winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-upgrade-windows-8-enterprise.

If you have 8 pro, you update via the store and Windows update just like everyone else.

 

[Lisa Sampson]

You can update these copies just like anything else, you don't update them through the volume license service center. You did say you had 8 PRO.

Now 8 enterprise on the other hand is different. It was never meant for individuals to use, but rather corporate IT environments. As such, they disable the update via the store to prevent employees from upgrading their work computers. These types of upgrades can cause problems in corporate environments with compatibility with monitoring and management systems. Here is a link describing what has to be done with enterprise.
http://m.winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-upgrade-windows-8-enterprise.

If you have 8 pro, you update via the store and Windows update just like everyone else.

Hi pparks1,

You would certainly think it would be that simple. I never had to go through any silliness when updating my Windows 7.
​

My little brother was over the other day and found this info. ​

Why can't I find the update in the Store? - Microsoft Windows Help

NOT SURE WHY THE FORMATTING IS MESSED UP IN MY POST.​

 

[pparks1]

Are you sure that you aren't running Windows 8 Enterprise, rather than Windows 8 Pro. I'd just about guarantee that is the case.

 

[Lisa Sampson]

You guys keep mentioning enterprise and I am not very knowledgeable about all this stuff and have no clue what that is. Sorry.

Not sure if this will help, but my little brother told me to take this screen shot to show what I have or don't have.

 

[pparks1]

Well, that is the Pro version and not the enterprise. I guess you learn something new everyday. It seems that you cannot update the "pro" volume licensing version either. I honestly thought that ONLY pertained to the enterprise version.

I guess my suggestion at this point would be to get a legal copy of Windows on your computer and you will be able to upgrade that.

 

[hawkman]

8.1 pro update

Hi Lisa,
Pro versions of W8 are updated via windows update, NOT the store, go via

Control panel > windows Update > check for updates

Roy

 

[Lisa Sampson]

Hi Lisa,
Pro versions of W8 are updated via windows update, NOT the store, go via

Control panel > windows Update > check for updates

Roy

Hi Roy,

I've tried that too. No luck! LOL

Thank you for trying to help.

Well, that is the Pro version and not the enterprise. I guess you learn something new everyday. It seems that you cannot update the "pro" volume licensing version either. I honestly thought that ONLY pertained to the enterprise version.

I guess my suggestion at this point would be to get a legal copy of Windows on your computer and you will be able to upgrade that.

I have a legal copy of Windows 8, but if I am unable to update by May 13 I'm not sure if it will quit working or not. I guess I should have stuck with Windows 7.

Anyway, I certainly appreciate everyone's time in trying to help me. I'm not going to pull my hair out over this.

Thank you, guys.:thumb:

 

[owenspal]

Hi Lisa.me again. I realized after my post a few days ago that I had failed to read closely your original post on this subject.I like a few others did not realize the volume license versions did not allow update/upgrade without an account to accomplish the update. Only a suggestion..do a complete backup/image of your existing system just to be safe and then go for the method described in William's Blog. If t works fine.. if not you can always go back. If you have a legit volume license install your administrator should/must provide a method for the update. If not legit then WTF.. go for it!!

 

[pparks1]

I have a legal copy of Windows 8, but if I am unable to update by May 13 I'm not sure if it will quit working or not. I guess I should have stuck with Windows 7.

I'm unsure how as a home user you could have a "legal" volume license version of Windows. Just sayin'

 

[adamf]

You can buy a volume license for Pro if you are an academic or charitable institution (and you can prove it). Even if you are a company (I am in fact) you can't buy a volume license for less than a certain number of licenses. The only thing you can buy is an upgrade from a qualifying OS. No-one would have a volume license by mistake.

Just (also) saying Microsoft Volume Licensing ? Windows 8.1