Windows 8.1 preview to 8.1 retail.

[mjs2011]

Update. I finally got it. Now I just have to wait for this sloooow download!

 

[DavidY]

I haven't been able to try it properly, but I think this might work:
Use the Upgrade Assistant and run it, and
Upgrade Assistant: FAQ - Microsoft Windows Help

Then I think it will show you a "Go to the store" link which will take you to the correct Windows Store page.

 

[Speedj2]

I won't have time to try it before tomorrow evening, but I saw elsewhere on the web that someone suggested opening this address in the Metro version of Internet Explorer:

ms-windows-store:WindowsUpgrade

its not working for me. i get the store page for windows 8.1 pro but when i click download i get an error message saying:
"your windows 8.1 preview install couldn't be completed
something happened and the install of windows 8.1 preview can't be completed"

has anyone been able to successfully upgrade from preview to retail?

 

[jeffrys]

Speedj2,

at least you can start the download, i do not get that far.....

Jeff

 

[BFG]

I haven't been able to try it properly, but I think this might work:
Use the Upgrade Assistant and run it, and
Upgrade Assistant: FAQ - Microsoft Windows Help

Then I think it will show you a "Go to the store" link which will take you to the correct Windows Store page.

It does but when you click download it dumps you back to the main page of the store

 

[DavidY]

I won't have time to try it before tomorrow evening, but I saw elsewhere on the web that someone suggested opening this address in the Metro version of Internet Explorer:

ms-windows-store:WindowsUpgrade

Right... just to confirm I have succeeded in the following path from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 Final.

• Installed Windows 8.1 Pro Preview, as a Clean Install on a machine that was at the time running Windows 7, using the Preview ISO. The machine had already been upgraded once to Windows 8 Pro, so I did have an Upgrade Product Key for it, but for some reason I'd returned it to Windows 7.
  
• Upgraded to Windows 8.1 Final using the Windows Store, although I did need to paste in the above link to a browser to make it visible in the Store.
  
• Activated using the Windows 8 Pro Product Key for that machine.

It all worked fairly smoothly as far as I can tell. The only glitch I didn't expect was that you can't download the 8.1 Pro update from the Store without a Microsoft Account; it doesn't have to be a login account on the PC, but you do need a Microsoft Account for that step.

 

[Speedj2]

old fasioned upgrade

ok this is what i was able to figure out. i could never get the store to work. and i really didnt want to reinstall 8.0 just to upgrade it to 8.1. this method allows you to upgrade or perform a fresh install of 8.1 directly using an iso and i can confirm that it worked for me. however you will only be able to keep your files; all programs, apps, and even drivers will have to be reinstalled. its kind of like the keep your files option when upgrading from xp to vista or vista to 7.
also note that i did this with pro but i believe it works the same either way.(feel free to correct me if im wrong).
you can upgrade from 8.1 pro preview to 8.1 pro (using an 8.0 pro key) the old fasioned way (without the store) using this site (dont go there yet, youll want to read through the second site first):
Upgrade Windows with only a product key - Microsoft Windows Help
however there are a few tricks to be aware of (it looks straight forward, but its not).
here are some sites that describe the process and offer some additional information:
(lots of good info in the comments on this one as well)
http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-download-windows-81-iso-windows-8-product-key
you can get a dummy key for a fresh install here
Appendix A: KMS Client Setup Keys
also note that you need to let the download get to about 2% or so before quitting and switching to the 8.1 download.
also the dummy key is for the install, since it wont except an 8.0 key. once your in windows you can activate using your proper 8.0 key.
microsoft made this way more complicated than it needed to be.
not the solution i was hoping for but like i said, i didnt have to go through 2 OS installs just to perform what should have basically been a service pack.