I installed 8.1 right over 8.0 and all my settings and apps were unaffected. (I backed up my 8.0 with Acronis True Image.) Only bug was I now had to enter a password to log in … the bypass I used for Win 8 didn’t work for 8.1 but I got the solution here, thanks to some knowledgable people.

How is 8.1 installed? I’d like to get it.

The final version is supposed to be offered as an update through the Windows 8 Store.

Joe

No, Kala, it is not a Service Pack. It will be pushed out as an Automatic Windows Update around the end of this summer. You can DL the Preview, now, though; Get it here, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-8/preview

The Preview is only to be run on a spare box, as a VM or as a dual-boot. Do not replace your Windows 8 w/ the beta Preview.

Cheers,
Drew
.1

Since I don’t have a VM, I’ll have to wait.:(

No, you don’t have to wait. Backup your present Win 8 entire system with something like Acronis True Image. Then instal 8.1 directly over 8. That’s what I did.

I tried to install over win 8 and after the download and installation I got the message to reboot. After the reboot and the fish warmed up nothing appeared. After about 15 minutes I did a hard shut down. Upon restarting Windows 8 appeared along with the message that 8.1 couldn’t be installed and my machine was restored to 8. Very happy with this outcome as I did not have to restore an image.
This is an older 32 bit laptop (@ 7 yrs old) that runs Win 8 very well so I expected it to handle 8.1.
Already have 8.1 in a separate partition on my desktop so I guess I’m done experimenting.
Has anyone else had this problem?

Rich

Do not install the beta 8.1 on top of Windows 8!

Kala,

One does not have a VM (virtual machine), one creates a VM in Hyper-V. Anyone can have 1, just by simply building one in Hyper-V. That is how I am running Windows 8.1

Cheers,
Drew
.1

I’m guessing you need Windows 8 pro for that? I can’t find it on my computer.:confused:

Windows 8 x64 has Hyper-V …

Windows 8 Pro x64 has Hyper-V. Windows 8 x64 does not: Windows 8 Editions

It not a matter of what version of Windows 8…

Only Pro or Enterprise, but not any 32-bit edition.

Bruce

I’m guessing you need Windows 8 pro for that? I can’t find it on my computer.:confused:

Yes.

That’s correct. Do you not have Pro?

I’m guessing you need Windows 8 pro for that? I can’t find it on my computer.

Seems pretty obvious.

Only Pro or Enterprise, but not any 32-bit edition.

Bruce,
I just enabled Hyper-V on my 32bit Win 8 Pro.
Will try to set up a virtual machine later today. Have to assume it will work as it shows as available.

Rich

Drew,
New machines sold with Win 8 do not have the pro edition installed so it is quickly becoming common.
Kala’s statement tells me it is not the pro edition. Seems obvious to me at least.

Rich

Ok, thanks, Rich. I, actually, thought non-Pro Windows 8 was rare. Thanks for the info.

Drew

I just have Windows 8, don’t have pro.

Bruce and Drew,
You’re correct. When I enabled Hyper-V on my x86 laptop it installed the Hyper-V Connection Manager which allows me to “create, configure and manage the virtualization machines on a virtualization server.”
As I’ve already created a partition on my desktop and installed 8.1 I have no need to use it as a virtualization server. Just wanted to fool around with Hyper-V a bit. No real use for it.

Rich

Drew,
From the info I read on the Hyper-V Connection Manager I understood virtualization server to be any machine I could connect to, such as my x64 desktop, that could create a vm. If I connected to the desktop from the laptop I could create it from there. The desktop would be listed as a server. If I created a vm from the desktop it would be the local host.
I’d be interested in looking at your tutorial for future reference but as it is I am comfortable creating partitions for betas as I have the space.

Thanks,
Rich

Microsoft states that 8.1 Preview is a dead end, so to speak. That there is no way of going back to 8 without reinstalling 8 and there won’t be any upgrade path from 8.1 Preview to 8.1 public release.

Also, initially at least, Microsoft states that 8.1 public will only be released through the Store so it would require Win 8 be installed first to upgrade to 8.1 public. How soon standalone ISO releases of 8.1 might be available is unknown.

By creating a complete system Image of Win 8 prior to moving to Win 8.1 preview, Win 8 can be restored from the Image. This is the only way I am aware of restoring Win 8 after the Win 8.1 overwrites it short of a complete reinstallation.

I actually did this myself and now am using my original Win 8. My download was corrupt and did not give a good running Win 8.1 so I tossed it. I might try again if I have time, but I might just wait until Win 8.1 is released.

Yep…I running Windows 8.1 in Hyper-V and with the last round of updates and it’s humming….and I really like it. The only issue/problem I see is the video playback, it seems to be glitchy at times.

Ah rats! You mean W8 64 bit (non-pro) does not have Hyper-V accessibility? Means I would have to get the “pro pack?” See, I am completely new to 8, more or less. Last night I just ordered a notebook because the deal was irresistible I got an ASUS X55C Notebook Intel Core i3 2370M(2.40GHz) 15.6″ 4GB Memory DDR3 1600 500GB HDD DVD+/-RW Intel GMA 3000 from Newegg for $259 final cost + tax, so I could learn this OS, and do some things away from my desktop.

***Edit note: I wonder… Just so happens I have 8 Pro 64 system builder upgrade on disc. Could I use that on that Asus?
*** Edit note again… I’m going to move my Hyper-v question over to a new thread.
That aside, please forgive my ignorance, but is there going to be a cost involved for 8.1 update?

IF, you are asking about bypassing the Start screen upon rare boot-ups, just put the Desktop Tile @ Top-left & then just click on it OR just, simply, hit ENTER.

Is that necessary with the new “Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in” option in Windows 8.1?: How to boot to desktop mode in Windows 8.1

Bruce