windows 8.1

Hello
I switched to a MS account with Win 8 and could not find the update to Win 8 in Store.
I understand if you use the iso file it cannot be removed.
Would a recovery with imaging return to Win 8 from Win 8.1 if there were issues?
Any help appreciated.

 

I've set it up this afternoon in dual boot with Win 7, so I can just remove it when I've seen enough. You could do the same with Win 8 but it does require that you first truncate your Win 8 partition to make room for a Win 8.1 partition. I allocated 60GB but it won't use half of that. If you allow it to upgrade your Win 8 then the only way you would be able to get back to Win 8 as it is now would be by restoring an image and in the meantime if there any problems you are pretty well stuffed as your present system would not be available. So dual boot is the only sensible way to go and it's easy enough to do with a DVD created from the ISO. I used Minitool Partition Wizard for the partitioning and it's very straightforward.

 

Thank you for saving my bacon, so to speak.
I won't pester you but if I may I would like to ak a few questions.
Does this disrupt my images?

Download the iso to desktop and burn to dvd.
Using Minitool partition Wizard allow 60 GB for win 8.1.
Boot, tapping F12, to allow the dvd to install 8.1

Having never partitioned, I must ask, "How do you place the new download in the 60 GB part of the C: drive and once done, do you remove the 60 GB partition?

Thank you

 

In order to download the preview from the store, you have to go to http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview-download and click on the "Get the update" box, which will then download a file that will run, and when your system reboots, it will go to the store and start downloading the preview file.

To remove the Windows.old folder, you have to do a Disk Cleanup, click on System files, and you will see a choice to remove old Windows installations.

Pretty much all straight forward info and install.

 

You will need to amplify that. Your images are on a separate drive and are unaffected by this, but if you had to restore an image your imaging program has to be able to restore to a smaller partition. Acronis can do that, but I just don't know about Macrium.

That's about it

When running the installer you are asked whether you want a custom installation - can't remember the exact words - you accept that and it then asks you which partition you want to install to. The partition holds your new OS so NO, don't delete it.

You won't have to concern yourself with brownizs comment about Windows.old as doing it this way you won't have one.

 

I now understand about the store and the partitions.
Do I give the product key I used for Win 8 or the one they give as a universal #- NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F ?

I am going to watch some tutorials on Googles YouTube also.
Thank you both for your help.
Peter

 

I had to use the universal one first then changed the product key to the windows 8 one and it updated itself.

 

I assume it was the same # I just posted.
Did you use the store or the iso and dual boot.