Windows 8.1: The Missing Manual

Upgrading from Windows 8

If you already have Windows 8 on your computer, then the upgrade to 8.1 is surprisingly quick and easy.

Many of the cautionary prep steps still apply:

• Keep your laptop plugged in during the upgrade.

• Back up your files first.

• Update your version of Windows 8. This is advice primarily for people who’ve turned off Automatic Updates.

• Turn off your antivirus software.

Now the adventure begins:

1. In TileWorld, open the Store app.

   The Windows 8.1 update appears front and center in the Store. (Exceptions: You won’t see this option in the Store if you have the Enterprise version of Windows 8, or the Pro version that was installed by your company using a bulk-discount plan, or the developer version.)

2. Select the 8.1 upgrade, and then select Download.

   The download can take half an hour or more; feel free to do other things on your PC in the meanwhile. If the installation gets interrupted, you can pick up from where it left off by starting over at step 1.

3. When the time comes, restart the computer.

   A message asks you to do that. You have 15 minutes to save your work, close your programs, and restart; if you’ve wandered off somewhere, it will restart itself.

   This restart may take 15 minutes to an hour, during which you won’t be able to use the machine.

When it comes to, your computer is now successfully running Windows 8.1.

You have a few setup steps to complete—lawyer’s statement, express settings, signing in, setting up OneDrive—all of which are described starting on Phase 2: Establish ...