Microsoft Windows 8 Pro - Upgrade [Old Version]

There is a programme downloadable from the Microsoft website which will examine your computer and advise if it will run Windows 8 and tells you if any programmes you are running will not work. It's worth doing as it gives you advance warning. For instance my on board graphics card was not up to the resolution needed but it would still run under the minimum resolution the card could give. I decided to live with it for the time being. There was one programme which I didn't use much which wouldn't run. It's best to be forewarned.The installation takes quite a while to install - Hours!When you start to install Windows 8.0 a box appears asking you if you want to keep your private files Windows settings etc. or delete everything. I opted for the latter as I had backed up all I wanted to keep before I started. Al programmes you were using on your previous system will be lost and will have to be installed again.When eventually Windows 8.0 is installed be sure to download and install all of the updates for it before you try to download Windows 8.1.There were 141 updates to Windows 8.0 which took quite a while to download and install. I still couldn't download 8.1 and no indication was given as to what the problem was. I did another check on updates and sure enough another twenty updates had to be downloaded and installed. I could then upgrade to Windows 8.1.Regarding Windows 8.1 upgrade,the upgrade is free and is directly downloadable from the Windows "Store" home page.I upgraded from Windows Vista after many years. I had become familiar with Windows 8 by helping other members of the family and friends to work the new system of screens. However if you are upgrading from Vista it will take a little while to understand how to drive it.Then comes the task of re-installing all of your programmes. I took advantage of the new installation to decide which programmes I didn't use and only install those I used regularly. If I want to add on of the programmes I can do at a later time.

I was left with no choice but upgrade after Vista stubbornly refused to let me install any new software. I was a little nervous about the process as I am no expert and when faced with a complicated computer problem prefer to throw the offending machine than carefully sitting down and diagnosing the issue.So I'm delighted to report that this upgrade was pain free, simply followed the link to Microsoft website clicked accept and yes whenever asked and everything worked as it should.Yes it takes a long time, about two hours for each step (first to download and install 8.0 and second step to upgrade to 8.1) but the computer quietly sits there in the background doing it's thing you are free to do whatever you like.It's also true all you get with this order is a product key on a piece of card, no CD or box (I suppose that could be an issue if you need to install on a non-active PC but if it's an upgrade no issue?)Do I like windows 8... no not yet, so far the only good thing I can find is it loads very quickly but I knew that already and I'm looking forward to Windows 10 which from what I read will be a big step forward and a free upgrade from 8.1 so win/win all round.

If your current system is working OK think hard before you upgrade using this software!! I am on my second day now looking at a blue screen, saying that is failed to configure my computer software updates which it needs to do.Before it will upgrade too Windows 8.1, it might have been better to take the option to update before loading Windows 8.I tried this it did not make any difference.Plus the fact you will be entering a less user friendly system than hitherto, Windows 8 being designed mainly for touch screen notebooks and pads.And it won't load all your Apps and drivers either BE WARNED!.After four days trying to load the updates I finally did it by installing them in blocks of five, all one hundred and two of them!To be fair the installation of Windows 8 was a breeze and that worked OK, but one should not have to go to all this trouble.And to cap it all whilst trying to find a solution to my problem on the internet, I found out Microsoft or going to cease support for Windows 8.1!! Windows 8 Pro Upgrade 32/64 Bit (Product Key Card) - w / Free Updates to 8.1 ProWindows 8 Pro Upgrade 32/64 Bit (Product Key Card) - w / Free Updates to 8.1 Pro

I have successfully upgraded my PC from Vista Ultimate to Windows 8.1 Pro, via this upgrade and I love Win 8.1 - it's great being able to download apps as I do on my phone and iPad, and the new interface problems are largely solved with 8.1, especially if you use a tablet and smart phone so have a feeling for how this kind of interface works. Win 8, however, is frustrating so definitely upgrade asap to 8.1 for a much improved experience (hence the 4 not 5 stars).The upgrade from Vista Ultimate was actually straightforward. From internet articles I was expecting to have to create an iso disc and do a clean install from external media, but in fact 8 Pro upgraded perfectly over Vista Ultimate via the installer, which was lucky as it wouldn't copy the iso to my PC or any attached media. I needed to install a number of updates to Win 8 before the Win 8.1 upgrade would download so I got some laundry done while I waited. There's no doubt that installing Win 8.1 via a Win 8 product key card is more time consuming than getting a Win 8.1 DVD, presumably that explains the price difference. However, if you've got a bit of time and enjoy playing with computers, this is a perfectly acceptable upgrade route.

No problems. Everything worked fine, and fantastic value when I bought it. Be aware it can be quite a big job to upgrade your OS though! Use the Windows upgrade assistant to check for potential software and driver issues for your PC before you go ahead. I was installing on an older PC and there were a few issues, but I was able to address them all and it was well worth the upgrade from Vista to 8.1. In a nutshell the significant benefits were far less crashing, speed, improved connectivity to internet (much easier to connect to new networks when out and about), improved compatibility with third party software and able to use the latest versions of software that often doesn't support Vista. It was certainly well worth it for me because it only cost me £40 for the upgrade and I like my old hardware which is very robust, but of course now you have to weigh up the cost and hassle of the upgrade against buying a new Windows 10 machine.