How Do You Update "Win 8 OEM Update" To 8.1

Were you able to use your OEM key to do the first part?

To download the ISO? Sort of. I started the Windows 8 download, cancelled it once it started downloading, then went back to the website and chose download 8.1, it downloaded the setup wizard again and actually downloaded the 8.1 install.

That's what I used to create the install media on my USB stick and it worked fine.
 
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Vader my problem is I can't get it to start the first part with my OEM key, I'm just thinking of selling my key to get an 8.1 disc or just going through the upgrade route. Why do Microsoft always make things more difficult?
 
Are you starting the Windows 8 download first, cancelling it, then choosing the 8.1 download?

So the steps I took were

Go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Choose install windows 8

Download > Install the wizard

Run the wizard

Enter my Windows 8 key

Start download of Windows 8

Cancel the download as soon as it gives you a time estimate

Go back to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Press install 8.1

Download > Install the wizard

Run the wizard

Should skip the key entry and go straight to downloading 8.1
 
Are you starting the Windows 8 download first, cancelling it, then choosing the 8.1 download?

So the steps I took were

Go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

Choose install windows 8

Download > Install the wizard

Run the wizard

Enter my Windows 8 key
.........

This is the step I'm having trouble with, it won't accept my windows 8 key so it won't let me move any further.

Edit. In fact can anyone answer me the advantage of doing a clean install as opposed to me upgrading from Windows 8 OEM to Windows 8.1?
 
This is the step I'm having trouble with, it won't accept my windows 8 key so it won't let me move any further.

Edit. In fact can anyone answer me the advantage of doing a clean install as opposed to me upgrading from Windows 8 OEM to Windows 8.1?

One word - Clean ;)
Upgrading will have old program's registry settings, might have old drivers sitting about and or files were as a clean install is just that nice and clean ;)
 
This is the step I'm having trouble with, it won't accept my windows 8 key so it won't let me move any further.

Edit. In fact can anyone answer me the advantage of doing a clean install as opposed to me upgrading from Windows 8 OEM to Windows 8.1?

Is your key an upgrade etc.? or is it a retail key (not sure it should matter). I'm not sure how to get round it if your key isn't being accepted :(

Just to confirm you are using your key on the 8 installer not the 8.1?
 
Yup it's definitely a Windows 8 OEM key, but yeah it isn't accepted when I try the Windows 8 installer.
 
Last time I installed win 8 using the upgrade version it let me install fine with key but just would not activate so I had to reg hack it.
Anyhow I would look for a generic key to get it installed then when it says key doesn't work try yours
 
I was just wondering if you purchased a retail version of Windows 8 where can I get an Windows 8.1 iso from??

Stelly
 
I was just wondering if you purchased a retail version of Windows 8 where can I get an Windows 8.1 iso from??

Stelly

You can download it I have using a trick if you go to the microsoft page to download windows 8 and 8.1 and get both installers.
Start up the windows 8 installer enter your key let it start to download then quit the program.
Next start the windows 8.1 installer it when just download it and let u burn a dvd or make a usb stick.

But u still need a 8.1 key to install but once ur in windows it should work
There is a trick to making the usb bypass the key check but I haven't tryed it yet going to have a go on Saturday
 
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I am currently running Windows 7 on my main desktop. I am planning on upgrading to 8.1.

I have seen the w8 pro upgrade, available for around £60 online - is this going to be the cheapest way for me to get to 8.1?

Then I just have to follow the steps outlined in this thread?
 
Everytime I try to download win 8 (for starting the "trick"), the setup file crashes... ARG!! how annoying :-(

Tried to setup a 'reset' and it asked for me to put my media in (which is my windows 8 pro usb), and it tells me its invalid. Everything else has been great.. but the recovery/reset feature is a total pain in the arse.
 
If you have the 8.1 ISO you can create an ei.cfg file for your edition of windows, this will bypass the requirement to put an 8.1 install key in.

Yup but ur need to have something that can edit iso file is you want to burn a dvd easyest way is to make a usb drive which is easy to edit.

So If you have a windows 8 key that can been used for 8.1
Download both installers from the microsoft that means windows 8 and 8.1 installers then start the windows 8 one and put in ur key and start the download then a sec or 2 in to the download quit the program and then run the 8.1 installer and it will just download it :) and then let u save an ISO file or make a bootable USB drive.

If you made a bootable USB drive put in back in the usb if u have taken it out and go in to windows explorer and go to the folder on the usb called sources and make a new text document called ei and press enter then find the file
and rename .txt at the end to .cfg .
Next open the ei.cfg with note pad and paste the following
[EditionID]
Professional
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0

This will bypass the check just install it now and enter your normal windows 8 key

For people using the DVD version who cannot install because its want and 8.1 key try this XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB this wont allow u to activate windows u must change your key in windows once installed some people on other forums say this key gets you in.

Hope this helps
 
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