Windows 8 to 8.1 update

[Carson Dyle]

I have a Windows 7 Pro desktop system and a while back (IIRC, it was about two years ago) MS offered a Windows 8 upgrade for something like $15, so I paid up and I downloaded it, but never installed it.

Can that upgrade be upgraded to 8.1 for free or for cheap?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I have a Windows 7 Pro desktop system and a while back (IIRC, it was about two years ago) MS offered a Windows 8 upgrade for something like $15, so I paid up and I downloaded it, but never installed it.

Can that upgrade be upgraded to 8.1 for free or for cheap?

All Windows 8 systems (*) can be updated to 8.1 free using the MS Store.

(*) Except for 64-bit CPUs that don't support CMPXCHG16B.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Thanks. Would it need to be installed as Windows 8 first, then updated, or can an 8.1 installer be downloaded?

 

[Puffnstuff]

Install 8 first then use the store for the 8.1 upgrade. I tried to go around that one and ended up back at square one so save some time and follow their upgrade path the first time.

 

[bbhaag]

According to Whisper2 in this tread he successfully DLed an 8.1 ISO from Microsoft then used his Win8 key activate the copy.

The link to the Win8.1 ISO is also in that thread.

 

[Whisper2]

Earlier in the year, one did have to install 8 and upgrade at the store or trick Microsoft's website to download a 8.1 ISO and then use a 8.1 KMS key, which subsequently could be changed it to a valid 8 key.

Now, one can download the 8.1 ISO here with no tricks:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

(same link as posted by bbhaag). You can use the 8 key to activate it. I have done it four times with my standard Retail key that I bought from Amazon.com.

My guess is that someone at Microsoft looked at the old process and asked: "Why are we putting our customers through this nonsense. It is really stupid" -- and finally changed it.

 

[Berryracer]

you can do a clean install of 8.1 using your 8 key

the trick is, in the setup, when asked to enter your key, don't enter your Windows 8 key it won't accept it, instead, search for "windows 8.1 default installation keys" on Google then enter the product key for the edition you want to install (ie. Core or Pro) then continue the setup. once you are at the desktop, use our real windows 8 key to activate

upgrading sucks as it's a major overhaul not a simple update and would leave your Windows 8 installation in a folder called Windows.old

 

[Whisper2]

you can do a clean install of 8.1 using your 8 key

the trick is, in the setup, when asked to enter your key, don't enter your Windows 8 key it won't accept it, instead, search for "windows 8.1 default installation keys" on Google then enter the product key for the edition you want to install (ie. Core or Pro) then continue the setup. once you are at the desktop, use our real windows 8 key to activate

berryracer,

Try the new ISO's -- you not have to go through this nonsense anymore. That was the point of my posts.

 

[bbhaag]

One thing I didn't notice this morning(I was still a little sleepy)was that you have an upgrade key not a retail or oem system builder key. Going from Win7 to 8.1 using the iso that I and Whisper2 pointed out may not work.

I'm not an expert on Microsofts licensing but it's just something you should be aware of before you proceed. Maybe someone can fill in the details about this.

 

[Berryracer]

you can do a clean install of 8.1 using your 8 key

the trick is, in the setup, when asked to enter your key, don't enter your Windows 8 key it won't accept it, instead, search for "windows 8.1 default installation keys" on Google then enter the product key for the edition you want to install (ie. Core or Pro) then continue the setup. once you are at the desktop, use our real windows 8 key to activate

berryracer,

Try the new ISO's -- you not have to go through this nonsense anymore. That was the point of my posts.

you are perfectly right, I didn't read your post. I did also notice that with the newer ISOs you no longer need to do the default installation key trick

 

[Carson Dyle]

Earlier in the year, one did have to install 8 and upgrade at the store or trick Microsoft's website to download a 8.1 ISO and then use a 8.1 KMS key, which subsequently could be changed it to a valid 8 key.

Now, one can download the 8.1 ISO here with no tricks:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

(same link as posted by bbhaag). You can use the 8 key to activate it. I have done it four times with my standard Retail key that I bought from Amazon.com.

My guess is that someone at Microsoft looked at the old process and asked: "Why are we putting our customers through this nonsense. It is really stupid" -- and finally changed it.

Thanks. That link leads me to a tool that both downloads the OS and creates installation media (DVD or USB key). Is there also a means of downloading the ISO itself?

I'm running the tool now... What are the "N" versions of 8.1? I see "Windows 8.1" and "Windows 8.1 N" and "Windows 8.1 Pro" and "Windows 8.1 Pro N".

 

[Blunc]

if I recall the win7-n version correctly, I think it means media player is not included in the "n" versions and if you want to play media you will have to D/L and install media player.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Ah, OK. That looks right. Old news, I guess, but I'd never seen that before.

And it looks like the MS tool can both create installation media and download the plain ISO if you like.

Thanks all!

 

[Carson Dyle]

Ugh.

I downloaded the ISO, just to have it, but now I'm trying to use Microsoft's mediacreationtool.exe to create an installation USB key for Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit. It keeps telling me that my 4GB flash drive is too small. I have installers for Windows Server 2008 R2 and the previous Windows 8 on identical USB flash drives.

Any "4GB" flash drive is only going to have about 3.73GB (binary) worth of space on it. Does this thing require an 8GB USB flash drive? I'm betting I could probably use a 3rd party tool to create the installer on the same 4GB drive from the ISO.

 

[NickelPlate]

Do yourself a favor and download the 8.1 ISO and avoid upgrading through the windows store which is a complete mess. You win8 key should activate just fine, mine did.