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How to Update to Windows 8.1

 

This article shows you how to update your computer to the latest Windows 8.1 update, and help you overcome the common problems you might meet. May it help you a lot.

Update to Windows 8.1 from:

Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Preview Windows Vista or below

 

Update to Windows 8.1 from Windows 7

If you are using Windows 7, you can’t update to Windows 8.1 directly, however, you are allowed to update to Windows 8 first and then to Windows 8.1, which can reserve all or most of your programs you have installed but is a bit troublesome.

Note: No matter what version of Windows you are using, for the sake of security, you are strongly recommended to back up your important data ahead of time, which can ensure the security of your data even when something unexpected happens.

If you want a short cut, you can perform a clean installation of Windows 8.1 on the PC, however, which will delete all your previous programs and the files stored in the formatted and installed partition.

So keep in mind that you should back up all your important information and documents which locate in the partition you are going to perform a Windows 8.1 installation.

  1. If you didn’t take my advice and got your data missing, first of all, you should stop any writing data to the disk or the partition.

Upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows Vista or below

If you are using Windows Vista or below, you are recommended to have a clean installation of Windows 8.1, for you might be fed up with having multiple updates-first windows 7, then windows 8 and finally Windows 8.1, I think.

Upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8

If you are going to update your computer to Windows 8.1 just from the former version, Windows 8, it’s a short way to Windows 8.1. Currently, Windows 8.1 has been freely available from the Windows Store.

Here're the details:

1. All you need to do is logging in to your Windows 8 first.

2. Then click the Windows Store tile on the Start menu and enter the Windows Store.

3. Once you enter the store, you would find the latest update at the first sight.

If you can’t find the Windows 8.1 update in the Windows Store, you probably need to run Windows Update to get the "KB2871839" update. You are able to crack this hard nut after you follow the detailed instructions below:

1. You should click "Windows + X" key combination and then click Control Panel.

Note: You can also type in "Update" in the Search box, which can be started by pressing "Windows + C" key combination and then Search.

2. Next, select the System and Security item and click Windows Update.

3. Click Check for update. (Please ensure that the Internet is available.)

When the update is completed, return to the Store and have a try once again. And jump to Step 4.

4. Click the Windows 8.1 update and then the purple Download button, shown as below.

download windows 8.1 update

5. Once the update is downloaded and installed, the system will prompt you that you need to restart your computer to have the update take effect.

restart to make the update take effect

6. After you restart and get back to your Windows, the system will start to configure the new features. When the configuration is completed, you might find the original "Computer" has become "This Computer".

Upgrade to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8.1 Preview

Microsoft announced that those who use Windows 8.1 Preview wouldn’t be able to upgrade directly to the Windows 8.1 final version. Actually, it works while the program installed before will be lost after the update.

So before you update your Windows 8.1 Preview to Windows 8.1 Final, you should back up the important data, such as important documents, PC games (which can be so large that it might take a long time to download and install them) and so on forth in advance.

Note: No matter what version you are using, you are advised to back up your information before you perform an update.