You can create the system image on a set of DVD discs

Inrna moment, you’ll see the Windows 7 File Recovery user interface and you shouldrnselect the Create a system image command on the left side of the screen tornlaunch the creation tool. On the first screen you will need to choose where yournare going to create a system image. For example, you can create the systemrnimage on a set of DVD discs, as illustrated in Figure B.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

When you click the Start backup button, you'll be prompted to insert a blank DVD disc

Whenrnyou click Next, you’ll be prompted to confirm your backup settings. When yournare ready, just click the Start backup button and Windows will begin preparingrnfor the operation. As it does you, you will be prompted to label and insert thernfirst DVD disc. This process is illustrated in Figure C.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

In Windows 8, the System Repair disc is the same as the Recovery Drive

Oncernyou insert the blank disc, you’ll be prompted to format it before the backuprnactually begins. Then, once the backup operation gets under way, you’ll seernprogress indicators letting you know the status of the operation. When thernSystem Image creation procedure is complete, you’ll be prompted to create a SystemrnRepair disc, as shown in Figure D.rnHowever, as you may remember, a System Repair disc is the same as the RecoveryrnDrive and if you have already createdrna Recovery Drive, you can just click No and you will be notified that thernbackup completed successfully.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

The Windows 8.1 update is available from the Windows Store

With your system image backup tucked way, the next step is to downloadrnthe Windows 8.1 installer. To do so,rngo to the Windows Store from the Start screen and access the Windows 8.1 downloadrnscreen, shown in Figure E.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

The download process can take a while depending on your internet connection speed

Whenrnyou click the Download button, the download operation will begin. Once it getsrnunderway, you’ll see the process advance, as illustrated in Figure F. Keep in mind that therndownload is almost 4GB and so may take a while depending on your Internetrnconnection speed.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

Once the download is complete, you will be prompted to restart your system

Oncernthe download is complete, you will see a message similar to the one shown in Figure G, which will prompt you tornrestart your system. To continue, just click the Restart button. Once thernsystem restarts, the first stage of the Windows 8.1 setup procedure willrncommence.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

Once the system restarts, the installation procedure will begin

Setup – stage 1

rnrnOnce the download isrncomplete and the system restarts, the installation procedure will begin, andrnyou’ll see a screen similar to the one that I encountered on my Dell laptop, asrnshown in Figure H.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

Just a few more things to do

Asrnyou can see the first screen indicates that setup is getting underway. You’llrnsee this screen for a little while but the message will change as the installationrnprogresses. Of course there will be a couple of restarts. For example, on my testrnsystem the next message was Getting devicesrnready, which was then followed by Gettingrnready, and Applying PC settings.rnFinally, the screen shown in Figure Irnappears.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

This shows an OEM license from Dell

Setup – stage 2

rnrnAs soon as your systemrnreboots, you’ll be prompted to accept the Windows 8.1 license terms and willrnsee a screen similar to the one shown in FigurernJ. As you can see, this is an OEM license for Windows 8.1 between me andrnthe computer manufacturer, which in this case is Dell.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

You'll want to click the Use express settings button

Afterrnyou click OK on the License terms screen, you’ll see a Settings screen like thernone shown in Figure K. Your best betrnis to just click the Use express settings button. When you do, it appears asrnthough Setup just uses your existing settings. Of course, if you want to changernyour settings go ahead and click the Customize button.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

SkyDrive is deeply integrated into Windows 8.1

Onrnthe following screens, you’ll be prompted to enter your Microsoft Accountrnpassword, specify your backup email account and then enter the security codernthat will be sent to you via your backup email account. Once you enter therncode, you’ll see the screen shown in FigurernL that prompts you to use SkyDrive, which is deeplyrnintegrated into Windows 8.1.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

Your apps will be reinstalled

You’llrnthen see a series of screens that change color while they inform you that settingsrnare being configured. You’ll then see a screen, like the one shown in Figure M, which informs you that yourrnpreviously installed apps are being reinstalled. Keep in mind that somernthird-party apps may only have a tile on the Start Screen. Just click the tilernand the app will be completely reinstalled.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

When the installation is complete, you'll see the new transparent Start Screen

Finallyrnyou will see the new transparent Start Screen that allows you to see yourrndesktop wallpaper in the background, as shown in Figure N.

rnrn

Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic