![get dows 8.1 get dows 8.1](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/gg/up/sshot51cb15bf64fc4.png)
Consider doing a full system backup to an external hard drive using the Windows 7 backup program, which is also available in Windows 8.x and Windows 10.
![get dows 8.1 get dows 8.1](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/windows-8.1-navigation-options-and-start.png)
Back up your data files to an external hard drive or cloud storage (or both).
#Get dows 8.1 install#
![get dows 8.1 get dows 8.1](https://support.content.office.net/en-us/media/44a47129-f5e3-4a5a-4a7b-72444ab5ca9f.png)
#Get dows 8.1 driver#
#Get dows 8.1 upgrade#
The free upgrade offer had just ended, and when I downloaded the Windows 10 upgrade tool and ran it on an old Windows 7 PC, I fully expected that the upgrade would fail activation and I'd be asked for a product key. I wrote and published the first version of this post in early 2017, several months after Microsoft's initial free upgrade offer ended. I'll also talk about the licensing issues involved, which are (as always) confusing.
#Get dows 8.1 how to#
In this post, I'll cover the basics of how to install Windows 10 as an upgrade on older hardware. (For details, see "How to upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Pro without hassles.") That can save you as much as $100 in OEM upgrade charges if you buy a new PC with Windows 10 Home preinstalled. You can also still upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro by using a product key from a previous business edition of Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 (Pro/Ultimate). And it could be a great relief to your budget if you're required to work from home (or go to school via remote sessions) and you need to take an old PC out of storage and get up to speed quickly.Īlso: Windows 11 FAQ: Here's everything you need to know That upgrade is more important than ever, now that support for Windows 7 has officially ended. If you have any problems creating the USB flash media, you can still use the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool to create USB media with the Windows 8.1 ISO.Here are ZDNet's current top picks for a variety of use cases. Pick "Install by creating media" again, insert a 4GB or larger USB flash drive, then choose the USB flash drive option. You'll be prompted to choose your installation option again. Just click on the "Install Windows" link on your Windows desktop. Once completed, you can actually go back and create the USB flash drive media as well. If you choose ISO, the ISO file (Windows.iso) will be saved to your PC and you'll be given the option to burn it to DVD. Step 7: Decide whether you want the installer to create USB flash drive media, or save the ISO file. When you're prompted to choose an installation option, pick "Install by creating media." Step 6: Once the ISO finishes downloading, the installer will take several minutes to check the download and uncompress the install files. Step 5: Launch the setup file (WindowsSetupBox.exe), which will begin downloading the Windows 8.1 ISO. Step 4: Back at the Microsoft upgrading to Windows 8 with a product key page, click on the light blue " Install Windows 8.1" button this time. Step 3: Close the Windows 8 setup window and confirm that you want to quit the setup. Continue the setup process until it begins downloading Windows 8. Step 2: Launch the setup file (Windows8-Setup.exe) and enter your Windows 8 product key when prompted. Step 1: Go to Microsoft's page for upgrading to Windows 8 with a product key, then click on the light blue " Install Windows 8" button.