Need help. From W8.1 Evalutation to 8.1 full version.

Grumps82

Grumps82

Grumps82

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Hi guys.

I have searched around the internet for an answer but cant seem to find one and could really do with some help.

My system currently has W8.1 enterprise evaluation on it (with 25 Days left). I want to of course buy a full version of W8.1 before it runs out.


Now here is my current setup :

128gb SSD : C Drive (Only contains Win 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation)
512gb SSD : D Drive (Only contains Steam & Games)
2TB HDD : E (Spare Drive, not a lot on there)

Can I just install the new version of windows on the C drive and leave everything else as it is ? Or do I need to reinstall all of my steam games etc on the D drive afterwards as well ?

Im basically hoping that I don't have to reinstall / download steam and all of the games I currently have on the D drive.

The only other potential problem is the fact I don't have a cd drive at all on my system, will this cause difficulties too ?

Hope you can help :-)
 
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you should be able to activate your current copy of windows.

if you right click on my computer and go to properties, scroll to the very bottom and you should see a option to activate windows.

should take you through the process to buy a key and then you will not need to re install as the evaluation copy is the full version just with the 25 days limitation till its activated.

with regards to steam if you have a different drive with all the games installed all you need to do is point steam to this library and everything will be there again.

I have a 256GB ssd with a 500GB HDD with all my games on, if I re install windows I just install steam and point it at the library of games on my 500GB drive and everything is back on there
 
Ah sorry.

I seem to have forgotten to mention its the windows 8.1 enterprise evaluation version I currently have. It allegedly cannot be upgraded.
 
ahhh ok, if that's the case then buy windows 8.1 and format the drive and re install windows.

steam will be fine if the library is on another SSD\HDD from the OS, once steam is installed just point it to the folder where they are installed too and you should be good to go.

just noticed it was enterprise when I saw the C drive with the details in brackets lol.

just looked it up and got the following info

What happens after the evaluation period expires?

A: If you wish to continue to use Windows 8.1 Enterprise after the evaluation period, you will be required to purchase and perform a clean installation of Windows 8.1, including drivers and applications. Please keep this in mind as Windows 8.1 Enterprise is not available through retail channels until October 26, 2012
Click to expand...

taken from here

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/evalcenter/jj552442.aspx
 
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Ah, maybe I haven't worded it properly.

Windows is on C: Drive, and Steam (Inc Games) is on D: Drive

Im assuming then that all I have to do is install my new W8.1 on C drive and everything should be ok ?

Basically im hoping that I wont have to reinstall / download steam and all my games (From D: Drive) after I have installed a new version of W8.1 on C: Drive.

God I hope that makes sense as Im struggling hahah.
 
Cobra-UK said:
Im assuming then that all I have to do is install my new W8.1 on C drive and everything should be ok ?

Basically im hoping that I wont have to reinstall / download steam and all my games (From D: Drive) after I have installed a new version of W8.1 on C: Drive.
Click to expand...
Yep, that'll be fine. Just reinstall Windows and then once installed, run Steam and it'll work its magic.All your games will still be there.

Just make sure not to wipe the D drive!
 
Ah brilliant, that's just what I wanted to hear. Ive seen suggestions about disconnecting the other drives (D & E), when reinstalling W8.1 is that still the case ?
 
I'd still recommend it, yes.

It rules out the possibility of wiping it or Windows deciding it wants to put the boot files on a different drive. Nice and simple to unplug it whilst installing and will save the potential for headaches later down the line.
 
just have the drive the os is going to be on connected, install windows and then steam, reboot and connect the drives back up and then tell steam to look at the installed location for your games
 
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