Updating your
new Windows 8
PC to
Windows 8.1
Prepare your PC
- Back up your files. Although your files and apps come with you when you update to Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, it's a good idea to make sure that your files are backed up first, by setting up File History.
- Plug in your laptop or tablet. It's important to keep your PC plugged in throughout the update process, because if you lose power before it's done, the update might not install properly.
- Connect to the Internet. It's not required, but we recommend that you stay connected until the update is done. If you don't, you'll need to connect again to finish setting up later, and setup will take longer.
- Get the latest critical and important updates. There are some updates you might need before you can install Windows 8.1. In most cases, the latest updates will be installed automatically using Windows Update. But if you don't have automatic updates turned on and you need to check for updates manually, or if you'd like to check to see when the latest updates were installed, you can do this from Windows Update.
Get the free update from the Windows Store
- Go to the Start screen, and tap or click the Store tile.
- In the Store, tap or click the Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 update.
- Tap or click Download
- The update will download and install in the background while you use your PC to do other things. The installer will check to make sure you have enough disk space, that your apps and devices will work with Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, and that you have all the required updates.
- In some cases, the installer might find something you need to take care of before you can continue installing the update. If so, you'll see a message telling you what you need to do.
Restart
After the update is downloaded and the first phase of the installation is complete (which could take between 15 minutes and a few hours, depending on your system and your connection speed), you'll see a message telling you that your PC needs to restart. It will give you 15 minutes to finish what you're working on, save your work, and close your apps, and then it will restart your PC for you. Or you can restart it yourself.
Choose your settings
After your PC finishes restarting, you'll be presented with some final settings. This includes the Microsoft software license terms, express settings, your Microsoft Account, SkyDrive cloud storage configuration, and any final updates.
Welcome to the new Windows
Much of Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 will look familiar. To learn more about what's new and how to get around, go to windows.com to learn more.
*Internet access required; fees may apply.
