How to Download and Install Windows 8.1

[Guest]

After months of reviews and nearly a year of anticipation, the final version of Windows 8.1 is now available for download. If you already have Windows 8, you can get the OS upgrade for free and, considering all its great new features, you should do so r

How to Download and Install Windows 8.1 : Read more

 

[milktea]

Anyway to download the Win8.1 iso for offline install?

 

[ninjustin]

I'm normally pretty wary of Express settings so I went to customize them but the settings are all honestly the best option in this case for the most part.

 

[Patrick Tobin]

Looking forward to standalone network install.

 

[digiex]

"The system will then download a huge install file that’s over 3GB."

This will take forever with my snail DSL connection.

 

[ssdpro]

I already contacted MS about the offline ISO file to do a fresh installation. As of today, there won't be one for current Windows 8 license holders. If you ever need to do a reinstall or wish to do a clean install, you have to install Windows 8, download the 3.1-3.5GB Windows 8.1 file pack and do the update. In watching this update on my own system (which went smoothly) it does restart 3 times just like a new install. It is basically like installing 2 OS's to get use of one.

It blows and it makes me sad MS can't just be mature about it... we have keys AND have to go through activation. On top of that you have to install 2 OS to get the use of one.

 

[hents1230]

ive had windows 8.1 for like a month now and its great. I got iso of windows 8.1

 

[hents1230]

ive had windows 8.1 for like a month now and its great. I got iso of windows 8.1

 

[back_by_demand]

I think I'll wait till next week, when the servers aren't being hammered

 

[mcgee101]

I purchased 8.1 on Mon and 8.1 pro disc I cant even upgrade... I like 8.1 when I installed it onto another computer I was building.. Somewhat frustrating (like IE is a joke crashing on the opening session). Also some drivers are finniky. Like Nvidia has some issues with the previous and new driver releases.. Clipping issues that werent there on 8. Asus is a mess under 8.1 I like the new options for software and start menu setup. I WANT MY COMPUTER BACK ON MY DESKTOP.

 

[red77star]

I would suggest to use ISO for 8.1 and do clean install. Also get Start8 to get Start Menu back...make OS usable.

 

[red77star]

If you have your local account don't switch it to microsoft account cause it will mess up lot of things...especially if you are programmer who is using windows authentication for SQL. MS -> makes worst design choices ever. When you get prompt to sign up with Microsoft account type in some fake account in correct email format and some fake password. You will get option to skip that non sense and continue using your local account. You will notice if you try to use Store or any Metro app it will prompt you again to switch to Microsoft account but then you get option on the bottom to use your outlook account just one time for particular app and still keep local account. MS doesn't recommend it but wtf they know.

 

[red77star]

Too bad for sky drive, i liked the way it behaved before but since it is integrated with Windows 8.1 and MS being arrogant about where should i save files i turned it off and switched to bit casa -> much better thing!

 

[dimar]

Found an issue. Can't forget a wireless network. Right click just doesn't work. Had to do it from the CMD.

 

[Quarkzquarkz]

Why is 8.1 better than 8.0 again? I've been under a rock and I really don't see another point of updating ... AGAIN.

 

[danwat1234]

Does this procedure work for pirated versions, for instance cracked via kmsnano?

 

[Bloob]

Too bad I get a BSOD before getting to accept the license.

 

[danm2z]

The upgrade process doesn't work if you've split your Windows drive and Users drive. You get an error message stating that 8.1 is not compatible with your PC. I guess MS is now in league with the hard drive makers to either make you buy a huge SSD or get rid of it completely. So sad .

 

[hannibal]

Can anyone confirm what happens if you have win8 and classic shell installed when upgrading to win8.1? Do you have to resinstall classic shell or is it easy ride... or not?

 

[Tony Clark]

Good idea to wait a few days. I have a fairly fast DSL line with 16Mbps download, but server load yesterday was very high. Started the process at 20.00 yesterday and got finished finally after I got up today about 630 am.

Im a Mac/tablet person so was ok with W8 in its earlier form. 8.1 seems a bit so-what?