how to upgrade to from 8 to 8.1 using store install.esd

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by navidnouri, Jan 10, 2014.

  1. navidnouri

    navidnouri MDL Novice

    Jun 13, 2010
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    i recently upgraded through store, i managed to backup some data but it was in upgrading procedure so i lost to copy some of them, i only got install.esd file from the upgrade, and yesterday sth happened and i just did a recovery so right now i'm running windows 8 again, i want to know if it is possible to upgrade to 8.1 using the install.esd?? (i dont have the windowsstoresetupbox.exe)
    the version of windows is "windows 8 OEM core x64"

    and i got access to the microsoft downloaded iso of "windows 8.1 Pro x64" through windowssetupbox.exe. (if any file is needed in it)
     
  2. MSMG

    MSMG MDL Developer

    Jul 15, 2011
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    Yes you can install with install.esd you just need the rest of files boot.wim and other files which you can get from the windows 8.1 pro x64 iso you got from windowssetupbox.exe.

    first open the iso file you have with WinRAR/7.zip and extract the contents to a folder
    then goto sources folder inside the folder and look for install.wim and del the install.wim file.
    then copy the install.esd file you have to the sources folder.
    then delete the EI.cfg in the sources folder.
    then make a bootable usb drive and copy the contents of the whole folder to the usb drive.
    then you can install the os from the usb.

     
  3. murphy78

    murphy78 MDL DISM Enthusiast

    Nov 18, 2012
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    Take the files from the GA updated vl disc (version doesn't matter)
    delete or change the sources\ei.cfg to reflect the correct editionid
    delete install.wim and place install.esd in the sources\ folder

    version architecture should match... (x64 for x64 install.esd or x86 for x86 install.esd)
    You can install from boot using x86 setup files on x64 image, but the sxs folder doesn't work for adding netfx3 and upgrades don't work, so use at your own discretion. x86 install.esd doesn't work on x64 setup files

    copy all of the install media files to a usb flash drive.
    If you cannot get it to boot, try running RUFUS using the GA VL iso and then copy/replace/delete the appropriate files
     
  4. navidnouri

    navidnouri MDL Novice

    Jun 13, 2010
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    #4 navidnouri, Jan 11, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    (OP)
    well thanks for the info

    i assume you both directed the same way, i checked my own created iso of windows 8.1 from microsoft, the sources folder contained install.esd i replaced it using mine but the setup still requires the windows 8.1 serial to proceed and i dont want to go through putting a generic key and change the key again after installation,

    i saw someone told using command below can install the update just like the way windows store does:

    Code:
    WindowsStoreSetupBox.exe /ClassId bd02c22b-1edf-476f-ab78-a72bdada6a47 /SessionId 1 /ReportId {3AB7C5F3-D1B0-4899-8FDD-565910F4D2F7}.1
    i dont know if those class id or report id are all the same for any version of windows but if you can send me the windowsstoresetaupbox.exe i can give it a try
     
  5. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    #5 abbodi1406, Jan 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    The generic key will not be accepted with install.esd, you must use ei.cfg with Edition set correctly

    and that WindowsStoreSetupBox trick will not work either ;)
     
  6. navidnouri

    navidnouri MDL Novice

    Jun 13, 2010
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    adding ei.cfg causes the error:
    Somthing happened
    setup has failed to validate the product key

    even if the ei.cfg is empty
     
  7. MSMG

    MSMG MDL Developer

    Jul 15, 2011
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    #7 MSMG, Jan 13, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    EI.cfg for Windows 8.1 Pro WMC Retail

    Code:
    [EditionID]
    ProfessionalWMC
    
    [Channel]
    Retail
    
    [VL]
    0
    

     
  8. abbodi1406

    abbodi1406 MDL KB0000001

    Feb 19, 2011
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    #8 abbodi1406, Jan 13, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    It must be full :D
    you must specify the correct Edition in .esd
    example:
    Code:
    [EditionID]
    Professional
    
    [Channel]
    Retail
    
    [VL]
    0
    
    or
    Code:
    [EditionID]
    CoreSingleLanguage
    
    [Channel]
    OEM
    
    [VL]
    0
    
     
  9. navidnouri

    navidnouri MDL Novice

    Jun 13, 2010
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    i tired every possible ei.cfg:
    Core, CoreSingleLanguage , Pro

    Retail, OEM

    none worked with my install.esd

    but only

    Pro edition id and Retail channel worked with the original install.esd the image had (which does not match my version of windows)
     
  10. murphy78

    murphy78 MDL DISM Enthusiast

    Nov 18, 2012
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    There are 2 install.esd files.
    The first one contains most of the information and setup files in different indexes and has the end chopped off.
    It communicates with the ms server to complete the file and successfully create the 2nd install.esd
    You can only substitute the 2nd install.esd into a setup disc.
    We have not figured out how to extract it from the first downloadable image.

    What I did:
    Ran setup until I noticed that the file was different
    Copied the file to a 2nd drive

    If you can get that far, you can let it go all the way and upgrade your windows anyway... I don't really see why you want the file so much.