The blog of Windows Wally, a Windows Support Technician helping common people solve frustrating computer problems.


Troubleshooting Windows 8.1 Upgrade Errors

Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, What is the best way to upgrade a Windows 8 computer to Windows 8.1? I’m asking because many people seems to be getting Windows 8.1 upgrade errors when they upgrade from Windows 8.”   - Adam J., New Zealand

Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:

  • Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
  • Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
  • Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.

Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.

Wally’s Answer: It’s not that surprising that people have been experiencing problems with their Windows 8.1 upgrade. Windows is always supposed to be installed using a clean install because upgrades can be risky. You can run into errors, crashes, and many other problems.

Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Cover -- Windows Wally

Luckily you can also opt to use a Windows 8.1 ISO file. This will allow you to make your own installer disk or bootable USB and perform a clean install. You can also use this to perform the Windows 8.1 upgrade on multiple computers without having to download the upgrade on all of them separately. Upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 is free.

Problem

What is the best way to apply the Windows 8.1 Upgrade to Windows 8?

Solution

Use a legal ISO to upgrade one or more computers to Windows 8.1 using a clean install instead of using the Windows Store update method.

How to get the bootable Windows 8.1 ISO file

First, go to this page: Windows 8.1 Upgrade Link

  1. Click the Install Windows 8 button.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 1 -- Windows Wally
  2. Run the downloaded setup file. Enter your product key.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 2 -- Windows Wally
  3. When it accepts your product key it will soon start to download Windows 8 files, click the X button to close it.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 3 -- Windows Wally
  4. Now, go to this page: Windows 8.1 Upgrade Link again and this time click the Windows 8.1 button instead and run the setup file.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 4 -- Windows Wally
  5. It should start downloading the Windows 8.1 upgrade setup files.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 5 -- Windows Wally
  6. When it finally downloads all the files, click the Install by creating media radio button, and click Next.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 6 -- Windows Wally
  7. Now, select the USB flash drive radio button and click Next again. You will need a USB flash drive with at least 3 GB of storage. You can also choose to download an ISO and burn it to a DVD if you don’t have a USB flash drive.
    Windows 8.1 Upgrade - Downloading Windows 8.1 ISO 7 -- Windows Wally
Now you should be able to easily install Windows 8.1 using your bootable USB or DVD. Restart the computer and boot using the USB or DVD and the setup should start as usual.
If you have never installed Windows before, you should skim through instructions for a Windows 8 clean install before you start. This will perform a clean Windows 8.1 and replace your old Windows 8 system files so you should back up important data in the Windows partition before you continue.
I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.

Is Your PC Healthy?

I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.

Happy Computing! :)

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About the Author

Windows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.

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