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How to Upgrade to 8.1 without Microsoft Store

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by TonyT, 2013/10/21.

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  1. 2013/10/21
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Options to Install immediately, Create USB installer or save as ISO, or Install later from Desktop.

    1. Download & save the Windows 8 installer and the Windows 8.1 installer from Microsoft.

    2. Run the Windows 8 installer (Windows8-Setup.exe).

    3. If prompted, enter your existing Windows 8 product key.

    4. Pause (don’t quit) the installer program when it hits exactly 1 percent.

    5. Exit that installer and launch the Windows 8.1 installer (WindowsSetupBox.exe).
    Error message will ne displayed: "The download task did not complete. Element not found ".

    6. Close the setup progarm window and re-run WindowsSetupBox.exe.

    7. The download will start, and when finished you can select to:

    a. Install now
    b. Create media (create USB thumb drive or save as an ISO)
    c. Install later from Desktop

    Note: If you miss the 1% mark at the Pause step you must cancel the installer and close the install program. Then go to:
    C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp and delete all files & folders in the Temp directory.
    Then start over again.
     
    TonyT,
    #1
  2. 2013/10/21
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Thanks Tony. Neil.
     
    retiredlearner,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2013/10/25
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    It seems MS is hell bent on destroying Win 8 on desktop.

    I tried the method suggested by Tony above & also most of the of the web sites but guess what ? Neither my upgrade key [from Win 7 to Win 8] nor my OEM key worked ! I think you can only download Win 8 from MS if you have a retail key. And why would you do that if you already have the media ?

    **********-s :mad:
     
    rsinfo,
    #3
  5. 2013/10/25
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Try the generic key XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH. Note that it won't actually activate the operating system. You'll need your own product key for that.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #4
  6. 2013/10/25
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    Thanks for that. Would try it !
     
    rsinfo,
    #5
  7. 2013/10/25
    CaneMan

    CaneMan Well-Known Member

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    This worked for me. Then used my Win 8 key to activate:)
     
    CaneMan,
    #6
  8. 2013/10/25
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    SpywareDr,
    #7
  9. 2013/10/25
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    Tried last night with the above key. While the key was accepted, I got the strange message "Could not Connect to Internet. Please try later ".
     
    rsinfo,
    #8
  10. 2013/10/26
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Sounds like something on your computer was trying to connect to something on the internet and couldn't right then, so it threw up the error message. Could have been an issue on your end, on the server end, or with any of the equipment in between.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #9
  11. 2013/10/28
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    Don't know. I have been trying for the last 2 days at different times of the day but getting the same message. Something seems to be wrong somewhere.

    I wish MS would release an EXE or ISO and stop taking us through this round about way for Service Pack.
     
    rsinfo,
    #10
  12. 2013/10/28
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Start over and try with a (different) generic key?

    XKY4K-2NRWR-8F6P2-448RF-CRYQH
    XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB
    334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT

    Note that you'll need your own legitimate product key to actually activate the operating system.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #11
  13. 2013/10/28
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    Would try these too.

    I am already running 2 Win 8 PC's. One is the upgrade version from Win 7 & other is an OEM. SO I have legitimate Win 8.
     
    rsinfo,
    #12
  14. 2013/10/28
    lincolnp

    lincolnp Inactive

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    Purchase a legitimate product key to avoid unnecessary isses.
     
    lincolnp,
    #13
  15. 2013/10/28
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    I have legitimate product :eek:
     
    rsinfo,
    #14
  16. 2013/10/29
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Try this:
    C:\Users\YOUR-USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp and delete all files & folders in the Temp directory.

    Copy any contents at:
    C:\ESD to a backup location, then delete the contents of ESD.

    Delete all Temp Internet Files & Cookies.

    Then try again using the key that was accepted.
     
    TonyT,
    #15
  17. 2013/10/29
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    Tony, there is no ESD folder in C:. Anyways, I tried everything else. No joy.

    Perhaps Win 8.1 is not for me.
     
    rsinfo,
    #16
  18. 2013/10/29
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    It did work but, I tried yesterday and the day before and it failed repeatedly. Makes you wonder if Microsoft got wise to it already and nipped it in the bud.
     
    SpywareDr,
    #17
    rsinfo likes this.
  19. 2013/10/29
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff Thread Starter

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    Agreed, MS may have changes things.
    I managed to download the 8 & 8.1 setups and created ISOs, still didn't load 8.1 yet. Will hold off for a month or two.
     
    TonyT,
    #18
  20. 2013/10/30
    SpywareDr

    SpywareDr SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    8.1's working fine here. Still ugly though. ;)
     
    SpywareDr,
    #19
  21. 2013/10/31
    lincolnp

    lincolnp Inactive

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    My bad

     
    lincolnp,
    #20
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