Windows 8 to 8.1 upgrade

jman

jman

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Hi guys

I need help. I recently bought an Asus laptop, which came installed with windows 8. I want to upgrade to Windows 8.1. But to do this, windows says that I need to install normal windows updates. Ok great, so when I try to do this, it either doesn't download the updates (there's a whole bunch, around 650mb) or if it does, when restarting to configure/install the updates, it gives the "cannot configure updates, reverting changes" or something along those lines. Have been battling with this for a few days now. Anyone that's had the same experience?

Thanks
 
Ok despite the error you are getting isn't it you get the 8.1 update from the windows store & not necessarily via the normal control panel windows updates. Have you tried visiting the store and clicking windows 8.1 update from there? There are some recent improvements to win8.1 that you get via normal windows updates but the 8 ---> 8.1 jump is done via the store. Try that first and see
 
You could be in for a very long and painful upgrade to Windows 8.1.
It is better at this point to try and get hold of a Windows 8.1 disc and do a full reinstall at this point (i.e. reloading your computer from scratch), but you need a valid windows 8.1 key. There was a good doc on http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/

Step 1 Retrieve you OEM Windows 8 key http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/obtaining-your-oem-bios-embedded-slp-product-key-using-rw-everything-oem-only/

Step 2: Follow the links on the dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com homepage to download the Windows 8.1 ISO.
Step 3: Install with the Generic Windows 8.1 codes referred to in the links on the homepage.
Step 4: Follow the instructions to install your OEM key as per the installation-of-windows-8-1-with-a-windows-8-0-retail-product-key-notes.

Alternatively you may have to repair windows update, possibly reset windows store, and repair the windows store database if the previous steps do not work. This is a really long drawn out and extremely painstaking process. Then you can download the update in the windows store and hopefully it works. Having been through the fix, download, retry process I eventually got it right after a week of pain. This is why I believe the format and reinstall method is better.
 
Electron1 said:
You could be in for a very long and painful upgrade to Windows 8.1.
It is better at this point to try and get hold of a Windows 8.1 disc and do a full reinstall at this point (i.e. reloading your computer from scratch), but you need a valid windows 8.1 key. There was a good doc on http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/

Step 1 Retrieve you OEM Windows 8 key http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/a-clean-install-of-windows/microsoft-product-activation/obtaining-your-oem-bios-embedded-slp-product-key-using-rw-everything-oem-only/

Step 2: Follow the links on the dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com homepage to download the Windows 8.1 ISO.
Step 3: Install with the Generic Windows 8.1 codes referred to in the links on the homepage.
Step 4: Follow the instructions to install your OEM key as per the installation-of-windows-8-1-with-a-windows-8-0-retail-product-key-notes.

Alternatively you may have to repair windows update, possibly reset windows store, and repair the windows store database if the previous steps do not work. This is a really long drawn out and extremely painstaking process. Then you can download the update in the windows store and hopefully it works. Having been through the fix, download, retry process I eventually got it right after a week of pain. This is why I believe the format and reinstall method is better.
Click to expand...

This method only works if you have Windows 8 professional. Doesn't work with any other version.

You need to try to sort the updates and identify and get rid of the problematic update preventing the upgrade.
 
It was so easy to update to xpsp2 sp3 win7sp1, what's up with Micro$haft & win8 :wtf:
 
kianm said:
It was so easy to update to xpsp2 sp3 win7sp1, what's up with Micro$haft & win8 :wtf:
Click to expand...

Yeah, and his real problems will now only start when the actual upgrade begins....

I actually like Windows 8.1, but I really do hope that Windows 9 will come soon and clear up all this bs!
 
House said:
Yeah, and his real problems will now only start when the actual upgrade begins....

I actually like Windows 8.1, but I really do hope that Windows 9 will come soon and clear up all this bs!
Click to expand...
I didn't realise they were resurrecting XP :D
 
joshlister said:
Hi guys

I need help. I recently bought an Asus laptop, which came installed with windows 8. I want to upgrade to Windows 8.1. But to do this, windows says that I need to install normal windows updates. Ok great, so when I try to do this, it either doesn't download the updates (there's a whole bunch, around 650mb) or if it does, when restarting to configure/install the updates, it gives the "cannot configure updates, reverting changes" or something along those lines. Have been battling with this for a few days now. Anyone that's had the same experience?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Forget about those updates, they are a waste of your time. Make sure that you first have KB 2871389 and KB 2917499 installed, both of which unlock the 8.1 upgrade. Then shutdown and boot (shutdown part is important) and go to the Windows Store, where you should get the prompt to upgrade to 8.1. From there it'll download the ISO (around 3GB) and Windows will do the necessary when it's good and ready.

For myself, my upgrade to Windows 8.1 was stopped repeatedly by incompatible drivers thanks to my Steelseries mouse. Uninstalling Steelseries Engine allowed me to do the update properly. Windows 8.1 includes a tonne of under-the-hood changes to how software and drivers behave, which is why so many apps and software had incompatibilities for the first few weeks.
 
NAG - Wesley said:
Forget about those updates, they are a waste of your time. Make sure that you first have KB 2871389 and KB 2917499 installed, both of which unlock the 8.1 upgrade. Then shutdown and boot (shutdown part is important) and go to the Windows Store, where you should get the prompt to upgrade to 8.1. From there it'll download the ISO (around 3GB) and Windows will do the necessary when it's good and ready.

For myself, my upgrade to Windows 8.1 was stopped repeatedly by incompatible drivers thanks to my Steelseries mouse. Uninstalling Steelseries Engine allowed me to do the update properly. Windows 8.1 includes a tonne of under-the-hood changes to how software and drivers behave, which is why so many apps and software had incompatibilities for the first few weeks.
Click to expand...

Well, this is exactly my problem with the new way in which they want to force the Windows 8.1 upgrade. For us, who knows computers, it is one thing to look for all those small things that may prevent the upgrade, but what about the millions of people who does not know anything about PCs? Telling them to ensure that only KBXXXXX and KBXXXXX is installed is like hoping for a miracle in a 5 year old solving some algebra problem. Let alone looking for current incompatible drivers.

That being said, I have always wondered what would happen if people bought Windows 8 and can't upgrade to the free Windows 8.1 and then downloads the 8.1 CD - exact version - and run an activator to activate it over a KMS server. I doubt MS would have a foot to stand on acting against any person or company who goes this route...
 
House said:
Well, this is exactly my problem with the new way in which they want to force the Windows 8.1 upgrade. For us, who knows computers, it is one thing to look for all those small things that may prevent the upgrade, but what about the millions of people who does not know anything about PCs? Telling them to ensure that only KBXXXXX and KBXXXXX is installed is like hoping for a miracle in a 5 year old solving some algebra problem. Let alone looking for current incompatible drivers.

That being said, I have always wondered what would happen if people bought Windows 8 and can't upgrade to the free Windows 8.1 and then downloads the 8.1 CD - exact version - and run an activator to activate it over a KMS server. I doubt MS would have a foot to stand on acting against any person or company who goes this route...
Click to expand...

I just installed Windows 8.1 last night and was thinking back reading this post with which I completely agree. I downloaded the ISO via the link Microsoft sent to me when purchasing and installed it on my new PC. Thinking I could put everuthing away and disconnect my old PC, to my amazement I was now running Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit on a 64-bit processor. Went online to chat with a technician explaining that I never had an option to install the 64-bit version and wanted to know where I could get the correct ISO and do a new clean install. Technician says to me I need to contact my manufacturer as it is probably not a 64-bit processor, wtf:eek

After back and forth between myself and the tech I give up and hit the Google bookmark. After searching through some forums I find out that if you download the ISO on a 32-bit machine, the installer will automatically choose the 32-bit ISO for you, you do not have an option in choosing which ISO to download. Eventually I had to go on to my 64-bit laptop to re-download the ISO and then clean install on my new PC.

My point here is that why on earth is such a simple thing being made so complicated by Microsoft? Why not just give you the option of which ISO to download. On top of that you have a technician who tells you to replace hardware:sly:

I truly feel sorry for those people who haven't got a clue as to how different processors architectures etc. works.
 
Fury05 said:
On top of that you have a technician who tells you to replace hardware:sly:

I truly feel sorry for those people who haven't got a clue as to how different processors architectures etc. works.
Click to expand...
It's such a shame I think even the MS techies get frustrated by these changes. And to the noob user so sorry to them
 
As I recall changing from the one type to the other requires a re-install anyway.

Fury05 said:
My point here is that why on earth is such a simple thing being made so complicated by Microsoft? Why not just give you the option of which ISO to download. On top of that you have a technician who tells you to replace hardware:sly:

I truly feel sorry for those people who haven't got a clue as to how different processors architectures etc. works.
Click to expand...
It's just the opposite. They are making it easier for the average person who doesn't know or want to know about 32 bit and 64 bit. You get the version that matches the software you have. It's annoying to technical people who want to move from a 32 bit to a 64 bit, or want to download on one machine and install on another.
 
noxibox said:
As I recall changing from the one type to the other requires a re-install anyway.


It's just the opposite. They are making it easier for the average person who doesn't know or want to know about 32 bit and 64 bit. You get the version that matches the software you have. It's annoying to technical people who want to move from a 32 bit to a 64 bit, or want to download on one machine and install on another.
Click to expand...

I would say rather give an option to either select which bit you need or let the installer scan your system and select automatically.
 
Fury05 said:
I would say rather give an option to either select which bit you need or let the installer scan your system and select automatically.
Click to expand...
The best option is to include both types in a single installer, and automatically use the correct one. For a clean install that would be based on what the hardware supports and for an upgrade it would be based on what is already installed. Asking the user, whether at the download stage or during install, can only confuse users who know nothing about these things and don't care.
 
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