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Microsoft

Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

By Greg Shultz November 14, 2013, 8:35 AM PST

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Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

Step-by-step: Update to Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store

Step-by-step: Update to Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store

Thisrngallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.

As I described in Getrnthe ISO you need to create your own Windows 8.1 DVD, if you have more thanrnone Windows 8 system that you need to update to Windows 8.1, you’ll want torndownload a Windows 8.1 ISO image that you can use to update multiple systems.rnHowever, if you are running Windows 8 on a single machine and want to update tornWindows 8.1, you can do so using the free upgrade procedure via the WindowsrnStore.

rnrn

In this article I’ll walk you through the entire Windows 8rnto Windows 8.1 upgrade procedure using the Windows Store.

b_updateto81store.png
b_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

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

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

c_updateto81store.png
c_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

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

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

d_updateto81store.png
d_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

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

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

e_updateto81store.png
e_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

The Windows 8.1 update is available from the Windows Store

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

f_updateto81store.png
f_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

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

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

g_updateto81store.png
g_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

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

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

h_updateto81store.png
h_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

Once the system restarts, the installation procedure will begin

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

i_updateto81store.png
i_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

Just a few more things to do

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

j_updateto81store.png
j_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

This shows an OEM license from Dell

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

k_updateto81store.png
k_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

You'll want to click the Use express settings button

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

l_updateto81store.png
l_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

SkyDrive is deeply integrated into Windows 8.1

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.

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Credit: Image by GregrnShultz for TechRepublic

m_updateto81store.png
m_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

Your apps will be reinstalled

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

n_updateto81store.png
n_updateto81store.png
Screenshots: Steps to update to Windows 8.1

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

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

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By Greg Shultz
My first computer was a Kaypro 16 \"luggable\" running MS-DOS 2.11 which I obtained while studying computer science in 1986. After two years, I discovered that I had a knack for writing documentation and shifted my focus over to technical writing.
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