Windows 8.1 RTM Now Available for Download from Microsoft for technet & MSDN

[Dahak]

The process also included a very confusing phase where I had to input my MS Live ID and password. When done, this appeared on the Welcome screen, and a password login was required. I since have fixed this and now have autologon and a welcome to my real name.

Sound like it was in 8 where it will default to asking to create/use a microsoft account. Usually there is a way near the bottom to say use local account

 

[hclarkjr]

i plan on doing fresh install and wiping everything, i am waiting to see if ESET is going to release update to make NOD32 work with 8.1 anytime soon

 

[StinkyPinky]

The Cisco VPN software issue is not limited to Windows 8.1.

No, I had the same type of problem on 8 as well.

I've managed to get 8.1 on my main pc, but with no network as it bsod's everytime i plug into my usb wireless stick. Fun times. Can't blame Microsoft for that though. Damn cheapass TPLINK.

Apart from having no network access...it...uh...runs great.

 

[blankslate]

That is correct. I downloaded both the 64bit and x86 versions this afternoon, and new keys go with them. The downloads are ISO files for ALL versions, standard and Pro. Your key determines which you will get. Since the keys available to me were all for Pro, it may be that the standard won't require a new key. Curious.

Could you try an install of 8.1 using an 8.0 key to check?

I have a Win 8 key from Dreamspark and I am curious if I have to install 8.0 then upgrade it to 8.1 or if I can just install 8.1 and use the 8.0 key.

 

[postmark]

Could you try an install of 8.1 using an 8.0 key to check?

I have a Win 8 key from Dreamspark and I am curious if I have to install 8.0 then upgrade it to 8.1 or if I can just install 8.1 and use the 8.0 key.

I was able to install with my 8.0 key but you need to install with no key at installation. Read online how to make an ei.cfg file in the sources directory to have it not ask for the key at install.

 

[Franzi]

I believe so, the media is treated as retail media which all keys would work on except for vl or enterprise keys

Thanks. It didn't accept my Windows 8 key for installation but a generic installation key works and I can probably change it for activation later. I'm unsure if if I should wait for GA before I reinstall my Desktop at home.

Any clue if Microsoft will provide updated .iso images that accept Windows 8 keys for everybody or will the image download remain for Technet/MSDN only and normal users have to deal with the Windows Store?

I also would like to know if Windows 8 Pro keys are language based. I own 2 Systembuilder keys for Windows 8 Pro x64 United Kingdom version (EN_GB). Can I activate the US-English version of 8.1 Pro with my keys?

Best regards

Edit:

Creating an ei.cfg file in \sources isn't working for me. Setup would just exit with an error message about not being able to confirm my key.

Got my answer from their blog, there wont be any official .iso image downloads for Windows 8 users. Upgrading through their Windows Store is the only way....

This answer is down in the comments section:
http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/...8/14/mark-your-calendars-for-windows-8-1.aspx

 

[ViRGE]

Creating an ei.cfg file in \sources isn't working for me. Setup would just exit with an error message about not being able to confirm my key.

ei.cfg is somewhat broken on Windows 8.1

EI.cfg has been confirmed broken when upgrading if the [Edition ID] is left blank. This causes issues when using DVDs to perform upgrades. Also, if the [Edition ID] is set there is an additional issue when upgrading from a DVD configured as an AIO with x86 and x64 upgrade abilities due to the call of "/installfrom:\sources\install.wim" when launching the x64 setup.exe this causes the UpgradeMatrix.xml to not be extracted from the install.WIM thus causing an "Upgrade path" error. AIO discs have been tried with Windows 8 and Windows 7 setup files but both have failed.

To sum things up...

• Windows 8.1 AIO with Upgrade for x86/x64 - Doesn't extract UpdateMatrix.xml from install.WIM causing "Upgrade path" error
• Windows 8 Setup files with Windows 8.1 install.WIM - Crashes on reboot configuration, unrecoverable to Windows 8 or 8.1
• Windows 7 Setup files with Windows 8.1 install.WIM - "Windows 8 Pro cannot be upgraded to Windows 8.1 Pro" error

As for upgrading, the rest of that is correct. Microsoft is being a royal pain in the butt on this one. They seriously expect everyone to go through the Windows Store to update; there hasn't even been talk of an offline (downloadable) updater.

 

[Mem]

ei.cfg is somewhat broken on Windows 8.1



As for upgrading, the rest of that is correct. Microsoft is being a royal pain in the butt on this one. They seriously expect everyone to go through the Windows Store to update; there hasn't even been talk of an offline (downloadable) updater.

I don't know why they chose to do the upgrade via Store for the official release,personally going to do a clean install with RTM ISO DVD,then just have to wait for my free WMC Pro key to be activated at some point down the road.

 

[Franzi]

Posted by Brandon LeBlanc on that blog:

Consumers will only be able to get Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store. ISO images won’t be made available broadly for consumers. For most consumers, the Windows Store is the easiest and most efficient route for updating a Windows 8 device to Windows 8.1.

Looks like they made their final decision, its really annoying to read.

Guess I will have to use the leaked image I got since I want a clean installation and not their Windows Store solution.

 

[Mem]

Posted by Brandon LeBlanc on that blog:

Consumers will only be able to get Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store. ISO images won’t be made available broadly for consumers. For most consumers, the Windows Store is the easiest and most efficient route for updating a Windows 8 device to Windows 8.1.

Looks like they made their final decision, its really annoying to read.

Guess I will have to use the leaked image I got since I want a clean installation and not their Windows Store solution.

Stupid really!!...look at my case for example, I have some damaged system files on my Win8 that can't be fixed even by Win8 (even system restore is broke and corrupted) due to a stick of faulty corsair ram last Sunday(got a new stick last Tuesday) so I've really no option but to do a clean install of Win8.1 ,plenty of people like myself have to do a clean install for one reason or another sooner or later,Windows Store is NOT an option for me.

 

[postmark]

ei.cfg is somewhat broken on Windows 8.1



As for upgrading, the rest of that is correct. Microsoft is being a royal pain in the butt on this one. They seriously expect everyone to go through the Windows Store to update; there hasn't even been talk of an offline (downloadable) updater.

Using this in my ei.cfg and it will not ask for a key at install.

 

[corkyg]

OK - this morning I used Acronis TI 2012 to clone my Win 8.1 drive to a larger drive (proportional cloning.) It worked perfectly and booted right up without any hesitation. Now I have a complete backup drive ready to go - just takes a few seconds to change drives in my EZ-Swap 4 rack.

No activation or key issues. Simply a quick change of drives in the same machine.

 

[Underclocked]

Those of you downloading the RTM, didn't they provide you the generic installation keys?

 

[ViRGE]

Those of you downloading the RTM, didn't they provide you the generic installation keys?

Windows 8.1 uses new keys, so everyone on Technet/MSDN gets as many real keys as they're licensed to. MS doesn't give out generic keys.

 

[Berryracer]

Windows 8.1 uses new keys, so everyone on Technet/MSDN gets as many real keys as they're licensed to. MS doesn't give out generic keys.

Actually, no my Windows 8 Single Language Key and my Windows 8 Pro Retail key activate just fine.

its just that I have to use one of the default keys for installation that Windows 8.1 needs, then when im in windows, i just enter my Windows 8 key and it activates right away

 

[ViRGE]

Actually, no my Windows 8 Single Language Key and my Windows 8 Pro Retail key activate just fine.

its just that I have to use one of the default keys for installation that Windows 8.1 needs, then when im in windows, i just enter my Windows 8 key and it activates right away

I'm talking about installation, not activation (this is mentioned in greater detail earlier in this thread).

 

[JEDIYoda]

SO correct me if I am wrong but I was told by Dell and HP that for those of us who have a Dell or HP machine that the 8.1 would come in the form of windows updates and that no keys whatsoever for anything would be needed....

 

[hclarkjr]

installed it yesterday. so far so good, to be honest i am not noticing anything that much different. so far anyway

 

[ViRGE]

SO correct me if I am wrong but I was told by Dell and HP that for those of us who have a Dell or HP machine that the 8.1 would come in the form of windows updates and that no keys whatsoever for anything would be needed....

Correct. It will be rolled out as a quasi service pack through the Windows Store. The key chance is only a matter for people looking to do a clean install of 8.1.

 

[TechSavage]

Microsoft has failed again. Was there not supposed to be a traditional start menu with 8.1? All they added was a menu to administrative services. I can't wait for a new version of Classic Shell for 8.1.

 

[Mem]

I did a clean install of Win8.1 RTM which installed really quick ,activated it with my retail Win8 Pro key then added my free WMC key from Microsoft which installed fine,running sweet so far but still installing a few programs.

Decor8 works(if you get latest version).

Btw what Nvidia drivers are you guys using for Win8.1?..I'm using default Windows ones at the moment.

 

[ViRGE]

Was there not supposed to be a traditional start menu with 8.1?

Nope, I'm afraid not. It's just the button. As you correctly noted you'll need Classic Shell or another utility to have a start menu.

 

[hclarkjr]

seems that there is a big update coming for 8.1 real soon ( for those of us who have 8.1 via technet & msdn ) supposed to come out right at public release

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-81s-first-big-update-called-ga-rollup-leaks-internet

 

[Mem]

seems that there is a big update coming for 8.1 real soon ( for those of us who have 8.1 via technet & msdn ) supposed to come out right at public release

http://www.winbeta.org/news/windows-81s-first-big-update-called-ga-rollup-leaks-internet

Those three updates for the updates ie KB2894179,
KB2883200,KB2894029 I've them installed,no issues to report.

 

[Berryracer]

I did a clean install of Win8.1 RTM which installed really quick ,activated it with my retail Win8 Pro key then added my free WMC key from Microsoft which installed fine,running sweet so far but still installing a few programs.

Decor8 works(if you get latest version).

Btw what Nvidia drivers are you guys using for Win8.1?..I'm using default Windows ones at the moment.

GeForce 327.23 Driver IS compatible with Windows 8.1