How To Upgrade Windows 7 To Windows 8 Pro

So, you lot're running Windows 7 and want to upgrade to the latest version. Using the Windows 8.1 Upgrade Assistant makes it an easy process. Here'southward a look.

And so, yous're running Windows vii and want to upgrade to the latest version — Windows 8.1. Using the Windows viii.1 Upgrade Assistant makes it like shooting fish in a barrel, and here's a await at making the transition equally seamless equally possible.

Dorsum-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, you'll definitely want to brand certain all of your personal files – music, photos, documents, pictures—are prophylactic. Backing upward your data is the about of import thing to exercise before you start. Hopefully, you're already using an off-site backup solution like CrashPlan, then your data 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.

Annotation: All of your Windows 7 desktop programs will non be installed with the update. You lot will need to reinstall all of them again. So make sure you accept your product keys for each software program you've paid for and the install media if information technology'southward an older piece of software.

Here are the basic system requirements to run Windows 8.1:

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-fleck) or 2 GB (64-flake)
Difficult disk space: xvi GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-fleck)
Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

Since your reckoner is already running Windows 7, it should be practiced to go with Windows 8.1. For more detailed info, check out Microsoft's Additional Requirements to Use Certain Features.

Upgrade to Windows eight.1 with Upgrade Assistant

If you're unsure about the specs, download and run Windows 8.one Upgrade Assistant. Information technology'southward a free utility from Microsoft that will scan your computer hardware and peripheral devices (brand sure they're all plugged in) and let you know what's compatible with 8.1 and what isn't. If something comes upward that needs your attention, but click the More than info link.

Upgrade Assistant also allows you to purchase either viii.one or 8.1 Pro and do the upgrade over the web. The process is easy following the onscreen instructions. Microsoft has also made the physical versions of the new Bone available also.

Windows viii.ane "core" is $119, and the Pro version is $199. If y'all're not sure which version you should become, check out our guide on the differences. If you're currently a student, you tin can get 8.1 Pro at the educatee toll of $69.99. It'due south also worth noting that if you're a Windows 8 user, the upgrade to 8.1 is free.

You lot'll be taken to the Microsoft website, where you can purchase viii.1 post-obit the onscreen instructions. Remember that afterward getting your production key to go along it backed upward in instance you demand it later on. You'll download a Windows set upward executable file. Run that and follow the setup wizard. Make certain to get important updates, enter the product key, and the new OS will be downloaded.

Afterward it's done downloading, you'll become the following 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 commodity on how to install Windows 8.one from a USB flash drive.

After agreeing to the License Terms, select to continue personal files just if you desire your information to come with yous.

During the install process, your system will reboot a couple of times. When it's consummate, you'll need to select a personalized groundwork color and connect to your network.

I recommend using Express Settings and entering your Microsoft Account info. It'due south the easiest fashion to get started and makes sure your apps and settings follow you to different Windows 8.one devices.

If you would rather it be local, check out our article on how to Install Windows eight.one with a local account only.

That's about all there is to installing Windows viii.1 on acme of Windows 7; your PC will restart a few times while information technology's upgrading. You'll be prompted to select some personalization settings, and showtime using the new version of Windows and reinstall all of your desktop programs. If you use a lot of freeware and open source apps — make the reinstall process easier using Ninite.com.

I of the first things you'll want to exercise afterwards installing eight.ane is run Windows Update and make sure you lot accept all of the patches that have been released for the new Bone.

For more than, make sure to subscribe to our e-mail newsletter and check out all of our Windows 8.1 tutorials.