So isn't the 8.1 upgrade supposedly free? Why is it requiring a key though which can't be activated with my legit Windows 8 key? I did a clean install of 8.1 but wasn't able to activate it, so went back to installing Windows 8 hoping to upgrade with the same key and it still asks for it, and says it's not for this version. So if this update is free, what key are we supposed to freely activate?
Yes, you need to upgrade using the ISO of the exact same language as the Windows 8 that you have installed (ie. en-US to en-US) And remove cversion.ini from ISO/sources using something like UltraISO to rebuilt the ISO (Although I have read a few people saying they didn't need to do that, I had to)
simply upgrade from inside your genuine W8 installation. set it up with generic key and finally activate again with your w8 key > done
Strange isn't it ! - I tried everything but ended up having to remove it, other people say they just entered the key and BOOM! it worked I even read people saying they used their Win 8 key for the install too
them reading having used their key for install too are those who got the new 8.1 keys from MSDN or Technet. All others lie
Just another question(s): Is there a need, to remove some tools like Start8/StartisBack or others, before upgrading? Is there a difference, if W8 with WMC is installed? (I think, after upgrading, I have to reinstall WMC and activate?) I have saved data.dat & Tokens from my W8. Is it possible to activate W8.1 with that files? (sorry, if stupid question)
As I don't use such crap, I cannot answer your question properly but I would recommend to uninstall Start8 or similar tools to be sure not getting into trouble with new installation. WMC must be reactivated after upgrade to 8.1 I didn't try yet so other members, who have experience on the data.dat & token stuff can give you a precise answer
Hi everybody, this is my first post here, thanks for your great community! I have just tried to upgrade my Win 8.0 x64 Prof en-US to Win 8.1 x64 Prof (without WMC). I want to keep my setting so I tried to upgrade from the Win 8 desktop with the Win 8.1 x64 RTM en-US iso. But after copying temp file and selecting "Upgrade", the installation failed with something like "unsupported Version". Do I have to change my Win 8.0 Retail Key before upgrading to 8.1 or something else?
If you mean that you want to upgrade without loosing files, check this thread : forums.mydigitallife.net/threads/47611-Complete-Upgrade-from-Windows-8-1-Preview-to-Windows-8-1-RTM-without-loosing-files It should work for 8.1 Preview and 8.0 RTM
So everybody with valid OEM key have to go through process of installing windows 8 and than upgrading to windows 8.1, since valid windows 8 OEM key wont work with windows 8.1 setup? I wonder if there will be option to download 8.1 as a standalone update for integrated install using oem dvd that comes with oem package
I was able to upgrade by using the new install key for Win 8.1 Pro RTM , thx. but what surprise after finishing upgrading, only documents and settings still there, all my previous installed programms are gone. luckly I made a backup before upgrading, now after 4 hours I am back on win 8.0 is it possible to upgrade 8.0>8.1 without loosing installed programms?
sad to here that you had to go back to 8. A regular 8 installation allows when upgrading to 8.1 to keep all files. You get asked if you want to keep everything ect. Did you run the upgrade inside 8? If so, when you are forwarded to the setup window with generic key, you must be asked about your preferences. If not, your 8 is or was corrupted in any way. Assuming you used the hash-checked 8.1 from this forum for upgrade !!
Windows 8.1 should be called Windows 8.5 since a lot of things were completely written. When you upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1, the old Windows system folder is kept as Windows.old and you can't delete the folder easily. I'd do a clean 8.1 install and use Easy Transfer to move some setting files. I believe you can only xfer some files since I saw some warning about the files being xfered. It will be interesting to see how MS would deploy the 8.1 upgrade. This will be a big mess and would make a lot of unhappy customers.