Note: Testing of Windows 8.1 Preview (Warning)

Hi,

To add to Andre's tips here is some release information for Windows 8.1 :

What's New in Windows 8.1
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dn140266

Microsoft - First look at Windows 8.1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQb5caeSo00

Microsoft - Windows Client
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/default.aspx?ocid=wc-mscom-win

With ANY pre-release (Preview) software ALWAYS have backups off the main drive, Be
prepared to have to do a clean install or take other major restorative action to revert back
to the previous version or to install the "RTM = Release To Market" version.

Hope this helps.

---

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!

Why you should not install the Windows 8.1 preview on a PC you depend on for everyday use

Original date and time of post: 6/26/13 12:36:23 PM
Last Revision: 6/28/2013
 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure:
As with any beta or preview there could be bugs. In addition when the final release becomes available those who have downloaded the preview will get the same Windows Update plus Windows Store notification. While their data and accounts will be preserved if and when they choose to install the free, final 8.1 release, all their apps must be reinstalled. As stated by Microsoft's Senior Product Marketing Manager; Michael Niehaus.

 

Worth repeating: Once the final versions of Windows 8.1 are available, after their release to manufacturing, those who have downloaded the preview will get the same Windows Update plus Windows Store notification. While their data and accounts will be preserved if and when they choose to install the free, final 8.1 release, all their apps must be reinstalled, Niehaus

said.

 

Download links: http://prev.windows.microsoft.com/en-001/windows-8/preview-download

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?linkid=301772

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview

Links may not be active yet.

 

Note: If you use the .ISO file to upgrade to Windows 8.1 your existing Windows 8 product key will be replaced by the 8.1 product key you entered when prompted during the upgrade process.
 

The best way to evaluate the 8.1 preview is on a separate PC:
Failing that you should at least create an image backup of Windows 8 to an external USB drive before you install the preview as this will save you from reinstalling all your apps. Then periodically backup your data to the USB drive as well.
 

EaseUS Todo Backup Home V6.0 http://www.todo-backup.com/
 Free version: http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software-features.htm
 (Note: Install Todo and then create an "Emergency Disk" before you start creating your first image backup)
 Version 5.8 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8
 

Acronis True Image 2013 - has a 30 day trial version available, trial Key send via Email.
 Note: Cloning and drive initialization (creating a MBR) are not supported in the trial version.
 For the trial version, only recovering is available when booting from an Acronis Bootable Media.
 Install Acronis and then create a bootable Restore/Rescue Media CD before you start creating your first image backup
 http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/
 30 day trial : http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/#tryorbuy
 True Image User Guides and documentation:
 http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/#resources
 2013 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8
 

Additional information (Credit Andre Da Costa - Microsoft MVP)
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/note-testing-of-windows-81-preview-
warning/1276b0ba-ba66-4d08-9d3f-156fa18916b4
 
 
The information listed below was published by Mary Jo Foley of ZDNet:
http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-goes-public-with-windows-8-1-upgrade-policies-7000016419/
 

Microsoft Senior Product Marketing Manager Michael Niehaus reiterated that message in the RT in the Enterprise session on June 4. When the 8.1 preview is available, Windows 8 and Windows RT users will receive a Windows Update notification. That
update will trigger the new bits to show up in the Windows Store, where potential testers will be able to read the description and choose whether or not to install.
 

Once the final versions of Windows 8.1 are available, after their release to manufacturing, those who have downloaded the preview will get the same Windows Update plus Windows Store notification. While their data and accounts will be preserved if and when they choose to install the free, final 8.1 release, all their apps must be reinstalled, Niehaus said.
 

Windows 8 users who do not install the preview build and opt instead to go straight from Windows 8/Windows RT to Windows 8.1 will not have to reinstall their apps. All settings, data and apps will carry over, a spokesperson said when I asked.

Users will be able to decide when and if they want to move from Windows 8 and Windows RT to the 8.1 versions, officials stressed.
 

Update: For those wondering exactly which apps will need to be reinstalled, it depends whether the tester is running Windows on ARM or x86. On Windows RT devices, it's the Windows Store/Metro-Style apps that will have to be reinstalled; for x86-based Windows 8 systems, testers will need to reinstall both their Windows Store/Metro-Style and Desktop apps, a Microsoft spokesperson said.

 

 

Before you atremp to install using the Online download: Reset the Microsoft Store Cache
 

a. Press Windows key + Q.
b. In the Search box type WSReset.exe and hit enter.
 
That should reset your cache for the store.

Now open the store and then exit from the store.
 
 
Now try the download: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview
 

 

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

 

 

I'm finding all sorts of bugs and problems with applications that worked fine in Windows 8.

I have already removed the 8.1 preview from 2 machines and probably will remove it from my Surface Pro.

This preview was not ready for public scrutiny.

I agree.  The install (Upgrade from W8 Pro) has failed on two machines - multiple times.  I could never get x64 to install - kept erroring out, even after a re-format of the installation drive.  Finally got x86 to install but it is the buggiest and most unstable piece of ALPHA software I've ever seen.  There is no way this should be considered a 'public preview' or even close to a final version. 

Why won't they let those of us who download the preview keep our apps later? I'm sure the proper encoding can be included with the final release. Besides, not having to re-install our apps would be an appropriate way to say thank you for testing the product. 

Thanks frnd, I found maximum help from your answers in several issues.. But :( for Windows 8.1 being MSSupp could not. Please helps us with the correct helpful resolution. Thanks