How To Upgrade Windows 7 To 8.1

So, you're running Windows 7 and desire to upgrade to the latest version. Using the Windows viii.ane Upgrade Banana makes it an easy process. Hither's a wait.

So, you're running Windows vii and want to upgrade to the latest version — Windows 8.1. Using the Windows 8.one Upgrade Assistant makes it like shooting fish in a barrel, and here's a await at making the transition every bit seamless as possible.

Back-up Your Of import Personal Files

With this upgrade, Windows will retain your files…ideally, that is. If something goes awry during the upgrade process, yous'll definitely want to make sure all of your personal files – music, photos, documents, pictures—are rubber. Backing up your information is the most important thing to practice earlier you offset. Hopefully, you're already using an off-site backup solution like CrashPlan, so your information is already taken intendance of. In fact, even if you have your data backed up to the cloud, I recommend having it backed locally up to an external drive, NAS, or other network location.

Notation: All of your Windows vii desktop programs will not exist installed with the update. You will need to reinstall all of them again. And then make sure y'all have your product keys for each software plan you've paid for and the install media if information technology's an older slice of software.

Here are the basic system requirements to run Windows viii.one:

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-scrap) or ii GB (64-bit)
Hard deejay space: sixteen GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-fleck)
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX nine graphics device with WDDM driver

Since your computer is already running Windows 7, it should exist good to become with Windows 8.1. For more than detailed info, check out Microsoft'southward Additional Requirements to Use Certain Features.

Upgrade to Windows eight.i with Upgrade Assistant

If you lot're unsure about the specs, download and run Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant. It'southward a free utility from Microsoft that will scan your figurer hardware and peripheral devices (make certain they're all plugged in) and let you know what's compatible with viii.1 and what isn't. If something comes up that needs your attending, just click the More than info link.

Upgrade Banana also allows you to purchase either eight.1 or 8.ane Pro and do the upgrade over the web. The process is easy following the onscreen instructions. Microsoft has besides made the physical versions of the new OS available too.

Windows 8.1 "core" is $119, and the Pro version is $199. If you're not sure which version you should become, check out our guide on the differences. If you're currently a student, you tin get 8.1 Pro at the student toll of $69.99. Information technology'south likewise worth noting that if yous're a Windows 8 user, the upgrade to viii.i is free.

You'll be taken to the Microsoft website, where you can purchase 8.1 following the onscreen instructions. Recollect that after getting your product key to go on information technology backed up in instance you demand it after. You'll download a Windows prepare executable file. Run that and follow the setup wizard. Make sure to get of import updates, enter the production cardinal, and the new Os will be downloaded.

After it'due south done downloading, you lot'll get the post-obit install screen. Suppose you want to keep a physical copy of 8.1, select to create media. For more on this process, check out my article on how to install Windows eight.1 from a USB flash drive.

After agreeing to the License Terms, select to keep personal files merely if you want your information to come with y'all.

During the install process, your organisation will reboot a couple of times. When it'southward consummate, you'll demand to select a personalized background color and connect to your network.

I recommend using Express Settings and entering your Microsoft Account info. It's the easiest way to get started and makes certain your apps and settings follow you to different Windows eight.one devices.

If you would rather it exist local, cheque out our article on how to Install Windows eight.1 with a local business relationship merely.

That's about all at that place is to installing Windows eight.1 on acme of Windows vii; your PC volition restart a few times while information technology's upgrading. You'll be prompted to select some personalization settings, and start using the new version of Windows and reinstall all of your desktop programs. If yous use a lot of freeware and open source apps — brand the reinstall process easier using Ninite.com.

1 of the first things y'all'll want to do later on installing 8.1 is run Windows Update and brand certain you lot take all of the patches that accept been released for the new OS.

For more, make certain to subscribe to our email newsletter and bank check out all of our Windows 8.1 tutorials.