Upgrading to Windows 8 by ISO image

[Tim]

Performing a clean install of your new Windows 8 operating system, using an ISO image download.

Just to let folk know that the Microsoft offer to upgrade to Windows 8 for £24.99 expires on 31.01.2013.

Here's the link: Download the Windows 8 Pro upgrade for £24.99. Offer ends 31 January 2013 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/buy)

Questions are often asked about the install process and both myself and Martin (MartinT) have recommended performing a clean install of your new operating system. This is universally agreed as the best method and ensures you have the most stable and error free installation. 'In-place' upgrades are notoriously flaky and if they go wrong, you are at risk of losing valuable data if you have not backed everything up. It may not be obvious to everyone how to do this, so here are a few pointers.

After you have performed the Upgrade Assistant part of the process (it's important to do this on the machine you will upgrade, as there is no option to select a 32bit or 64bit ISO file, you get what you are already running on the upgrade machine), you will go to the checkout to pay. After you have paid you will receive an on screen invoice and the Product Key. Make a note of this, I do this by just copying and pasting the entire invoice to a text file.

Next your upgrade copy of Windows 8 Pro will start to download;
(if you have a slow internet connection, this may take sometime to complete, as the file is over 2GB in size)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/22-02_19-01-2013_zps41532b9f.png

After its downloaded the file will be verified;

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/22-27_19-01-2013_zps4c4a574d.png

The files will then be prepared and you will be asked how you wish to conduct the upgrade;

Install now
Install by creating media
Install later from your desktop


http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/22-30_19-01-2013_zpsa14a036d.png

Its important that you select Install by creating media at this stage, if you don't create the media you are disadvantaging yourself both now and at a later stage if you don't create a media file.
You are then given an option to select the media type. I would strongly recommend you create an ISO image. You can, if you want to, create a bootable USB flash drive from your ISO image at a later stage, so get the ISO ;)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/22-31_19-01-2013_zps5d45d964.png

Your ISO file will then be created;

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/22-33_19-01-2013_zps2e45a297.png

Once the ISO file is complete you can burn a DVD straight away, or save it for later. Your product key is again shown, so if you didn't make a copy earlier, do it now.
(I have blanked out the full licence key, your one will have 2 further blocks of 4 characters)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/22-34_19-01-2013_zps9d94bcd6.png

If you don't have a program to burn ISO images to DVD, the best free one IMO is ImgBurn - http://www.imgburn.com Windows 7 has one built in, not sure about Vista? That's it - you now have an ISO image to keep, which you can backup and use later, burn to DVD immediately or convert to a bootable USB flash drive, especially useful for a netbook or laptop without an optical drive.

You are almost done now - once you have created a DVD copy of Windows 8 Pro upgrade you will want to perform a clean install on your machine. There are lots of guides on how to do this, but this one is clear, comprehensive and should be easy to understand;

How To Clean Install Windows 8 Pro Upgrade (http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/ss/windows-8-clean-install-part-1.htm)
If you check YouTube there are video guides as well.

:cool:

I have mentioned this before, but if you really want bullet proof protection once you have performed a clean install, create a backup image of the installation after you have activated it. Its then a simple task to reinstall it. I create an activated image, an image with all the most recent Windows updates and a final image when all the programs I use are installed, updated and checked to be running smoothly. If anything ever goes wrong, I am minutes away from getting back to a fully functioning, fresh install of Windows - its especially handy if you ever want to change a hard drive as well, either to increase the size, upgrade to SSD or replace a faulty one. I use Acronis True Image (http://www.acronis.co.uk/homecomputing/products/trueimage/), but Windows has one built in - its in the Control Panel.

I only ever have to install a full clean installation once on the same machine, any refresh after that is a restoration of a fully working Windows backup image. I actually restore Windows about every 6~8 months to a securely wiped drive, so I always have a safe, secure and virus free tip top operating system installed on my computer. This is a great way to keep SSD disks performing at their best too ;)

[AlexM]

Tim,

That's a great guide - I wish I'd found that I before I embarked on the upgrade. I also ran into the impossibility of upgrading Vista 32bit to Win 8 x64, but I did find a work-around.

I bought a retail copy on DVD, and found myself in a catch-22 as Windows 8 Pro wouldn't validate my licence key. I discovered that having deleted and re-partitioned my machine, there wasn't a way to activate it.

I did find the registry key that tells windows whether it had been installed from within windows or from installable media.

The procedure is as follows:

Open the registry editor, and navigate to

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Setup\OOBE]

look for the key "MediaBootInstall"

Set the dword to '0'.

By doing this, you can set up a fresh copy of Win 8 x64 rather than being forced to upgrade or do a fresh installation of Win 8 32-bit. You can then activate it using the key provided (it tells windows that setup was run from within Windows, rather than a DVD.

I believe that I am not contravening the licence as have a valid precursor O/S, but there is no way of repartitioning disks using the standard installation method without using this work-around (thanks for nothing Microsoft!)

You can also force reactivation by:

1. Open elevated command prompt (Right click -> Run As Administrator)
2. Type slmgr -rearm <enter>
3. Reboot

[Canetoad]

I didn't get the Install By Creating Media option so had to select Install Later From Desktop. Now I just have an install.exe file on my desktop. Can I convert this to ISO? I wanted the copy for a new installation, not an upgrade. Am I now screwed? :scratch:

[Patrick Dixon]

I think I have an ISO on my machine that I could burn and post (assuming that it would be the same) if you wish.

It was downloaded as an upgrade on a 64-bit Windows 7 machine, so I assume it will be 64-bit.

PM me with an address if it's an good.

[Audioman]

I didn't get the Install By Creating Media option so had to select Install Later From Desktop. Now I just have an install.exe file on my desktop. Can I convert this to ISO? I wanted the copy for a new installation, not an upgrade. Am I now screwed? :scratch:

Are you currently using XP? With XP you don't get this option so you need to use a newer OS to download.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.htm


Important: The Install by creating media option is not available if you're running Windows XP. If you are using Windows XP, follow the above steps from another computer with a more recent version of Windows. Once you have your media created (Steps 11 to 14 below), bring it back to the Windows XP computer and then perform the clean install (Step 15 below).

[Canetoad]

I think I have an ISO on my machine that I could burn and post (assuming that it would be the same) if you wish.

It was downloaded as an upgrade on a 64-bit Windows 7 machine, so I assume it will be 64-bit.

PM me with an address if it's an good.

Thanks Patrick. I'll try and download from the Vista laptop and see what happens. I figured I could download it from any operating system. :doh:

Thanks Paul, I'll give it a go.

[Audioman]

Thanks Patrick. I'll try and download from the Vista laptop and see what happens. I figured I could download it from any operating system. :doh:

Thanks Paul, I'll give it a go.

Just a thought - make sure your Vista is 32bit otherwise likely an old XP machine will not have enough RAM. You will need 2GB RAM for 8 (or vista/7) to run properly though you may just get away with 1GB for 32 bit. Need double the RAM for 64 bit OS. Also dual core processor required or at least highly desirable.

Paul.

[Audioman]

I downloaded the upgrade because I couldn't resist the price. Full price may be eventually £150 according to my information. However having read reviews there are big problems being thrown up even with 1 or 2 year old machines. Result I will back up the image and wait on this. It appears Win 7 is continuing as an alternative which rings alarm bells.

Will be interested to see how others get on who have a spare PC and what spec these are. Sounds like using my 2007 Dell may be a problem and it isn't on their compatibility list. Might wait till I have time to build an up to spec second PC. Apparently you can't go by the Windows compatibility software according to a number of reviews. Problems appear to be deeper than amount of RAM/processor and require latest spec mother board/bios.

Paul.

[Tim]

However having read reviews there are big problems being thrown up even with 1 or 2 year old machines.
That's intriguing, I have not read a negative review yet - can you link to them Paul?

I've only tried it on three machines so far, my brand new build, a 7 year old Asus motherboard and a DELL Latitude D600 which is nearly 10 years old, all went without a hitch. Could this be a classic it didn't work, but I didn't do a 'clean install' issue, which is hardly a fault of the O/S?

A lot of the 'urban-nonsense' on the internet is oft spouted by computer amateurs and should be taken with a pinch of salt ;)

[Audioman]

That's intriguing, I have not read a negative review yet - can you link to them Paul?

I've only tried it on three machines so far, my brand new build, a 7 year old Asus motherboard and a DELL Latitude D600 which is nearly 10 years old, all went without a hitch. Could this be a classic it didn't work, but I didn't do a 'clean install' issue, which is hardly a fault of the O/S?

A lot of the 'urban-nonsense' on the internet is oft spouted by computer amateurs and should be taken with a pinch of salt ;)

Cheers Tim. I just googled 'windows 8 review' and looked at the first few results. All IT journalists and it was a mixture of clean install and upgrade. They all had more powerful and newer machines than mine. The only problem I could see is that my machine does not support the secure boot function (which apparently causes problems with some recovery software). However the suggestions point towards needing dedicated machines.

This flies in the face of what I previously understood -that 8 was supposed to be lighter on hardware requirements. It could be vested interests trying to promote new PC sales of course but I think this needs some further research. If it works on your Latitude it should be OK on my Dimension E520. How much have you used the machines? There is no problems in installing just performance issues running it. One writer is claiming it needs 8GB Ram minimum! :scratch:

Paul.


http://www.itwire.com/opinion-and-analysis/open-sauce/57536-installing-windows-8-without-secure-boot


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323936804578229682529360570.html

[John]

I done 3 Two for me and 1 one for my GF.I found its important to get all the updates from Windows before doing the install

[Tim]

Thanks Paul, interesting articles for sure. I think in the first one some weight should be given to the comments made below and in the second it reads to me that this was not a clean install.

I guess what frustrates me a little is the 'I read somewhere on the internet' and a lot of folk rely too much on that rather than what they actually know or experience themselves - I always like to find out for myself. To be fair I am not a regular user of 8 yet (Martins your man for that), as my main machine still runs 64bit 7 Pro on a day to day basis, but I can just slot drives in and out of my desktop for testing and trial purposes, as I need to have a feel for them for my job. But I have never yet upgraded an old operating system by laying it over another one, I always reformat the drive and do a virgin installation, so perhaps I have been lucky and avoided a lot of the issues others have encountered. It is a daunting thing for many people to tackle that's for sure and driver issues can be common if you don't opt for a clean install.

I don't see a reason why I wouldn't run an a Dimension E520 but I must admit I'm not sure if I would do it myself? If you are running 2GB RAM you need 32bit and these days you are missing a lot by not running a 64bit O/S? Is it perhaps maybe time for an upgrade or maybe just wipe your drive and do a fresh clean install of XP perhaps - is this something you have ever done? You might be surprised at the difference this makes if you have had the O/S clunking away for years on it. Or do you have Windows 7 running on it at the moment?

One interesting thing I encountered with the Upgrade Assistant is that it reported that some of my older software wasn't compatible, but what do you know it runs fine, or seems too so far. I think with a cost of 25 quid, give it a go and if it fails go back to what you had and keep the upgrade for later. You guys really should try Acronis or a system image backup then you can fiddle about to your hearts content, its a great way to learn stuff too ;)

I guess however, if you think about it, the average computer user is going to upgrade by laying the new O/S over an old one and try to keep all their software and settings, so in reality for many the move to 8 could be fraught and present issues, which really confirms what Martin and I have been saying that the best way to go is a clean install.

Bloody computers, I hate them :rolleyes:

[Audioman]

Thanks Tim. Actually not daunted in doing it and probably will later up memory to the max 4 GB RAM. I don't believe in wasting perfectly good computer every time so new OS comes along which has marginal benefits for me. I was intending to do a clean install since it's Vista I'm using. In spite of the brickbats I managed to get vista working smoothly, run my lotus Approach on it and 'incompatible' hardware.

Just want to be sure no unforeseen nasties. In fairness the guy who was complaining appears to be upgraded by overloading a number of laptops with specific hardware that isn't usually an issue on desktops. The other who did a fresh install seems to be at odds with the views of others. There is still the popular view that Vista was a dud but in practice that is far from the truth so any article needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Anyhow I'm stuck with the 32 bit version now I assume and I don't require the peak in technology. 64 bit has the downside of incompatibility with older applications.

Problem why mess with something that's set up as I want and working smoothly. May look into getting a budget lap top so I have a second machine and am not internet less if any problems mean days getting things sorted.

[Tim]

There is still the popular view that Vista was a dud but in practice that is far from the truth so any article needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
64bit Vista SP2 is a very good operating system, when paired with appropriate hardware.

Good luck with your upgrades :)

[Canetoad]

Sorted my ISO download. Thanks for the help! :)

I'll be installing it in an HTPC new build in the next few weeks.

[Effem]

Wife texts husband on a cold winters morning:
"Windows frozen."
Husband texts back:
"Pour some lukewarm water over it."


Wife texts back 5 mins later:
"Computer completely knackered now."

[Tim]

"Computer completely knackered now."
:lol:

[NRG]

Blls, should have read the whole thread, anybody help out with a 32bit ISO? :doh:

[NRG]

Ah, think I'm sorted...

http://www.eightforums.com/installation-setup/12559-cant-find-option-burn-iso-disk.html#post138356

The ISO utility appears to have worked...

[Audioman]

If you want to upgrade to 64 bit I believe the 'backup' DVD that can be ordered for extra £12.48 has both 32 bit and 64 bit versions.

[Mark Grant]

Good thread Tim :)

If you are going to download and order a backup DVD then Amazon have the DVD for just about the same total price and I like to have the DVD for reinstalls in the future and the DVD will upgrade from XP for those still using it.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008GRKGXK/ref=amb_link_171875907_3?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=00JRAR36CM0X9ZN8JKSX&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=330206667&pf_rd_i=1000665623

[NRG]

Interesting, I downloaded this upgrade version but managed to perform a clean install into a Virtual machine on my Mac, no other MS OS insight...:scratch:

[Tim]

Last chance folks, its going to get pricey on Friday....


Thursday marks the last day of January, and this particular flip of the calendar brings about the end of more than just another month. Jan. 31 is the last day you'll be able to pick up an upgrade license to Windows 8 Pro for the dirt-cheap price of $39.99 (or $69.99 if you want a physical disc). Starting in February, the price of a Windows 8 Pro upgrade license skyrockets fivefold to the full retail price, a much, much less wallet-friendly $199.99.

The time for fence-straddling is over, folks. But does that mean it's time for you to take the plunge into Windows 8, while the price is still as low as it is ever likely to plummet? Not necessarily.

Source (http://www.pcworld.com/article/2026647/should-you-upgrade-to-windows-8-while-its-still-40-.html)