Rocking the Windows 8.1 Preview? It's possible to upgrade to the retail release

Windows, Windows, Windows. Information technology sure has been a busy day for Microsoft. If you've upgraded to Windows viii.i from Windows viii, you're skilful to go about immediately. Information technology'south really piece of cake to get the latest release. Merely what near those of united states of america who had the Windows 8.1 Preview? At that place has been talk near non being able to upgrade as Windows 8 keys won't piece of work, etc. but in that location'south calorie-free at the cease of the tunnel.

Microsoft states on its support website that if you lot installed the Preview while running Windows 8 or from the Windows Shop, you're adept to go. You're essentially thrown into the same campsite as those who are upgrading from Windows eight. Any potential issues are with those who installed the Preview from bootable media, using the provided ISO file.

Here'south the official argument:

"If you installed Windows 8.one Preview past booting from ISO media, yous can update to the final version of Windows viii.ane Pro using the Windows Shop, only your organization won't be activated until you buy a Windows viii.1 licence and Product Key. You can do this past post-obit the instructions when y'all actuate your organisation, or by purchasing a DVD of Windows 8.1 Pro. If you lot don't desire to buy a copy of the Pro edition of Windows viii.1, yous should return your PC to its previous operating system before installing Windows viii.1."

Expect, does that hateful you'll have to purchase a copy of Windows viii.1? Not at all, it seems. If y'all're rocking a Windows 8 tablet or have new hardware which came preloaded with Windows 8, y'all should be practiced to just upgrade without needing your product key - possibly thanks to Microsoft opting for keys to exist encrypted in the BIOS. So, how does one go started with the upgrade? See our quick steps:

Step one -Back up YOUR DATA!

The download screen for Windows viii.one

Step 2 - Check for the Windows eight.one upgrade on the Windows Store (use this link on your Windows 8 PC if needs be - ms-windows-store:WindowsUpgrade). Hit the download push and you'll be taken back to the Shop home screen. Problem? Not at all. The app is actually downloading the release in the groundwork. Simply sit tight, make a cup of tea and information technology'll progress forth steadily.

Step three - Windows 8.1 will and then alert y'all that apps may need to be re-installed after the upgrade is consummate. Hitting continue for the install progress to continue preparations, or cancel to quit. It may appear as though nothing is happening, this is normal. This enables you to get on with things speedily until the install requires you to reboot.

Await until the system prompts you to reboot. Information technology's not recommended that you shut down or reboot your PC while the installer is running in the background - see below image.

Step 4 - Once the installer is gear up to progress to the next step, you lot'll be asked to reboot. Practise this and the setup will begin installing Windows 8.1 on your PC. This may accept a while.

Step 5 - You lot'll lastly be guided through the configuration and personalisation settings for your Windows 8.1 feel. Once everything is good to go and you're at the Offset screen, enter the desktop mode, bring up the charm bar, hit "Settings" and select "PC info." Check to see if everything is skillful in the window (activation and product key, etc).

Step 6 - If at that place are no bug, yous're done!

If Windows 8.one can't actuate and you're unable to use your key, unfortunately the only solution is to use a Windows viii install disk (or the recovery media shipped with your PC) to start from scratch. Y'all'll then be able to bypass the pesky Preview and upgrade directly to Windows 8.1.

Upgraded? Be sure to vote in our Windows 8.one poll!

Let us know in the comments how the upgrade process was for you if you already had the Windows 8.i Preview installed.

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