How to Upgrade Your Computer from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1


If you're already a Windows 8 user, upgrading to Windows 8.1 is a piece of cake. Why? Because you'll immediately find it when you go to the Windows Store app of your computer. This newer version of Windows offers a handful of added features and enhancements such as improved desktop experience, the new Bing Smart Search has been added, improved Snap multi-tasking, better PC Settings options, a Help+Tips app, and many more. Take a look at TechRadar's pros and cons on Windows 8.1:

PROS:
  • Start button is back
  • Performance improved
  • Better SkyDrive integration
  • More ways to personalise your PC
CONS
  • May take a while to get used to
  • Touch apps for Office yet to come
  • Not all sites support IE 11 yet
  • Hard to see progress of background updates for Windows Store apps and SkyDrive
The process of upgrading to Windows 8.1 is also straight-forward. If you would like to experience the added benefits and features this new version brings, follow these steps. But before doing anything else, make sure your computer has all recent Windows updates. For those who are frequently using their Windows 8 computers, most likely that it is already up to date. If in case you haven't used yours these past few days, launch the Charms bar menu on your computer, then click Settings. Now, click the Change PC settings option, then click Windows Update. Click the Check for updates now button, and then force any updates to install now by clicking the We'll install... updates automatically link, and then hit the Install button. When that's done, open the Windows Store app, then click the Update to Windows 8.1 button. If in case you're not seeing this option on your Windows Store, try checking for updates again, close and re-open your Windows Store app, or restart your computer then try again. After clicking the button, click the Download button for Windows 8.1 Pro to confirm.


The download time may take about 30 minutes or more, but you can still use your computer normally while waiting for it to finish. When you get the pop-up dialog screen asking you to restart your computer, click the Restart Now button to continue. It may take several minutes for Windows 8.1 to install on your computer, and your computer will perform another reboot during this process. You can leave your computer for at least 5-10 minutes since the installation will not require any input. When the License terms page appears, click the I accept button of course. Now, choose Use express settings at the bottom of the next screen. You can also go with custom settings; however, the express settings will do for most standard users.

Now, the next step is for you to sign in to Windows as you normally do. On the next screen, we suggest you to allow Windows to send a security code to your phone by selecting the Text option from the drop-down menu. It's your option if you want to skip this step, but you may not be able to sync your account across computers should you choose to perform this step later. Now, enter the security code indicated in the text message you have received on your mobile phone on the next screen.

Hit the Next button on the SkyDrive information screen. Now, all you need to do is wait for a few minutes for Windows to complete the installation process. Your installation progress is indicated by messages saying that Windows is setting up and installing apps on your computer.


When the Windows 8.1 Start Screen appears after a few more minutes, the installation is successful and your computer is now off to a new start with Windows 8.1.




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