Automatic update to Windows 8.1 failed, will this succeed?

Hello,

My main laptop is running Windows 8.1 but I have an older laptop that needs to be upgraded. I'm having issues with some programs that are supposedly solved if I do.

My Windows 8 install was clean, not upgraded. I moved the users folder to a different partition for easy things like this but Windows won't do the auto update with user data on another partition. Can I somehow reverse the process, point the users to a folder on the primary partition, let windows do the 8.1 update then point the users back to the other partition where all my user data is currently installed?

If that won't work, or somehow puts my user data at risk, what's the best way of installing Windows 8.1? I can't remember how I got the upgrade to Windows 8 on that machine (it was completely legal but I think it was an inexpensive upgrade through the laptop manufacturer meaning, I don't have Windows 8 install discs. I may have made a USB drive as an installation back when I upgraded). All this to ask if the upgrade above won't work, is there a place I can legally re-download Win 8.1 complete to do a new install & then use my current valid Microsoft registration? I'm hoping to accomplish the upgrade to Win 8.1 as easily as possible so I can be eligible for the free Windows 10 upgrade. But you have to be running 8.1 to qualify, 8.0 doesn't count.

Please share any thoughts or advice you have on the best way to accomplish this update to Windows 8.1. Thanks so very much!

Did you try with just simple system repair from that installation USB ? It should just put everything back in it's place. Just in case, backup all personal files and data first.

CountMike said:

Did you try with just simple system repair from that installation USB ? It should just put everything back in it's place. Just in case, backup all personal files and data first.

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I haven't. I actually didn't realize it was an option. What would I need to do and would it delete anything off of my user data partition? Or will it literally just re-create the initial users folder on the Windows partition so I can upgrade, then allowing me to point the user data back to my current folder on the data drive?

Thanks so much for the idea. I would never have though of it. I just need to understand it a bit more before proceeding.