Win8.1 install tips'n'tricks

[ajones]

Tonight I'll be downloading a Win8.1 install (don't worry, all kosher). This will be my first Win8 installation, so was wondering whether there is anything I should be worried about.

Other than the one that springs to my mind (i.e. don't bother and install Win7 instead), are there any tips'n'tricks other than the standard "download your drivers now" that I should be wary of?

[Agent]

Not really - it's more or less Window Vista / 7 in terms of its installer.

It's just a case of configuring it as you like after install. A lot of people install Classic Shell right off the bat, but that depends if you want 'Metro' or something a bit more sane *ducks*.

I personally use the install keys (easily googleable) which allow you to Install W8 without using your 'real' key. It won't authorise your windows install, it's purely to install it, but it gives you a few days grace to play around with it, install your stuff and make sure it's running all okay. This way you don't use up an activation with your real key if the install fails.

[stilkun]

Pretty much the same really, the only difference is that during the install you will be prompted for your key before you can proceed to install Windows 8.1 unlike in Windows 7 install where it doesn't ask for it.

If you do not want Windows 8.1 to install drivers for devices for you automatically, do not choose express setup after Windows 8.1 finished installing.

[ajones]

If you do not want Windows 8.1 to install drivers for devices for you automatically, do not choose express setup after Windows 8.1 finished installing.

How is this different to normal plug'n'play?

[shaithis]

If your mobo is capable, mkae sure you turn EFI on and boot the install media in EFI mode.

Personally I find EFI mode to be faster and more stable.

[stilkun]

How is this different to normal plug'n'play?

D'oh, meant to say Windows 8.1 will automatically download drivers from Microsoft Update to install for devices for you automatically if the one provided in Windows 8.1 are not detected or Microsoft Generic ones. There shouldn't be any different at all.

[apmallett]

I personally use the install keys (easily googleable) which allow you to Install W8 without using your 'real' key.

There is also the EI.cfg file (txt file in essence) which will allow install without even the key.

I also use Oblytile to customise my tiles in metro, but then I do use it as a HTPC so prefer this interface with the remote.

[KeyboardDemon]

Sorry, I don't want to start another thread that is similar to a running thread, so I hope this doesn't hijack the OP's original question but I went from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 which was fine when I did it, but I now have a number of bugs that make me think it is time for a re-install. Is it now possible to download a full Windows 8.1 installer or do I need to go through the install to 8 and then upgrade to 8.1 route.

[Agent]

Windows 8 keys are the same as 8.1, so using 8.1 install media is fine
I've just done this.

[stilkun]

Sorry, I don't want to start another thread that is similar to a running thread, so I hope this doesn't hijack the OP's original question but I went from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 which was fine when I did it, but I now have a number of bugs that make me think it is time for a re-install. Is it now possible to download a full Windows 8.1 installer or do I need to go through the install to 8 and then upgrade to 8.1 route.

The only way to obtain Win 8.1 Install are buying retail copy, msdn/technet subscription or trusted source to download it. To upgrade, you will have to install Windows 8, activate it and install win 8.1 upgrade from store after install the KB patch.

The other way to obtain Win 8.1 installer is used a trick that is documented on the net is on Win8 to use the Win8 upgrade and verify the key to validate the download then cancel it before it start downloading and start Win 8.1 setup which should download Win 8.1 upgrade. I have tried this but ended up getting stuck downloading on 0%. I ended downloading from the web but ensuring that it matches the checksum on the net.

As agents said, use a win 8.1 generic key to install during windows 8.1 as doesn't accept windows 8 key. Don't worry, you will need to run a command after it finish installing. Fire up command prompt in elevated admin mode and type:
slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Where x is your Windows 8 key, hit enter and it will activate.

[Agent]

I didn't even need to do the slmgr method, I simply put it in when it asked for it after a few days
I did to the generic key install first though, always do - no reason not to

[ajones]

hmmm... maybe I've bought the wrong thing.... Microsoft makes this more confusing every OS iteration!

The target PC I'm building is for my son, the student. So I got him to buy a Student edition windows install, suggesting the 8.1 version since I saw nothing on the MS site that suggested it was upgrade only.

Now I find that the Windows 8.1 Setup installer needs an OS there in order to run.... tricky since at the moment I'm checking the hardware with a DOS boot disk!

Now I've since read up ways in which to download the Win8.1 OS, but we've ordered the physical media from MS, so I may as well wait for that to arrive. Can anyone verify whether the physical Win8.1 OS disk can be booted from for a fresh install? or am I going to have to buy a retail version of Win8?

[Agent]

The version I installed was the 'upgrade' academic version. In short, it activated without needing to do any special tricks from fresh media, without installing over Windows 7.

This doesn't always work though. If not, then just google "windows 8 upgrade clean install". It's super easy to do a fresh install from an upgrade version

[ajones]

The version I installed was the 'upgrade' academic version. In short, it activated without needing to do any special tricks from fresh media, without installing over Windows 7.

This doesn't always work though. If not, then just google "windows 8 upgrade clean install". It's super easy to do a fresh install from an upgrade version

Thanks Agent. It does look like I can download an install disk using the online activation, but there are some stories that you need to run that download process from the computer you intend to create the install for... so using one of my Win7 PCs may render the upgrade disk pointless... not sure though, so confused (more due to work than anything else though!)

Still... there is light at the end of the tunnel. Water loop isn't leaking anymore (although tubing is still a "little tight"), new hardware seems to be running nice with the CPU reporting 25 degrees under BIOS. I just have 1 fan that sounds a bit noisy (would have to be the inaccessible one!).

[shaithis]

Windows 8 keys are the same as 8.1, so using 8.1 install media is fine
I've just done this.

Not quite true.

Windows 8 and 8.1 retail keys are the same.

[Agent]

Not quite true.

Windows 8 and 8.1 retail keys are the same.

Ahh, this is where we get into the different types:
Retail
OEM
Manufacturer OEM.

The last one is linked to the BIOS, but you can still do a clean 8.1 install if you know how: http://superuser.com/questions/69725...8-from-oem-key