Offline update of Windows 8 to Windows 8.1

[glricht]

Has anybody come up with a straight-forward way to update an existing Win 8.0 system to 8.1 without having to download the multi-GB installer? Using the store for a single PC works well (in most cases), but isn't practical when doing it for multiple PCs or when I'm onsite and charging by the hour.

Googling this results in a bunch of techniques, but there's a lot confusion regarding 8.0 vs 8.1 prod keys, using trickery to d/l an ISO, etc. The technique at http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/wi...o-you-need-to-create-your-own-windows-81-dvd/ is typical.

All the major upgrades for XP to 7 had offline installers you could use, why isn't there one for 8.0-to-8.1?

 

[Abet Computers]

here you go

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

download th e .ISO and go to town

 

[CyberJourn]

Interested to see if this really works when you have a Win8 install and need to update to 8.1 and you don't want to go through the store to do the 8.1 Update. Huge hassle.

Please post back if this works.

 

[CyberJourn]

Just tried this and it didn't work, here is why... It requires a Windows 8.1 product key. If you have a Window 8 product key, it only works when installing Windows 8 and not 8.1. So for updating someone that already has Windows 8 installed, this fails as you don't have a correct product key to give it to start the update to 8.1. This is still a huge hassle. Why not the standalone update (for IT Pro's) to Win 8.1 for users that already have Win 8? I want the update on my flash drive. I don't want to download 3GB+ every time I want to do the update from the MS store. In many cases, I am seeing the downloads timeout because of slow internet access.

 

[glricht]

Just tried this and it didn't work, here is why... It requires a Windows 8.1 product key. If you have a Window 8 product key, it only works when installing Windows 8 and not 8.1. So for updating someone that already has Windows 8 installed, this fails as you don't have a correct product key to give it to start the update to 8.1. This is still a huge hassle. Why not the standalone update (for IT Pro's) to Win 8.1 for users that already have Win 8? I want the update on my flash drive. I don't want to download 3GB+ every time I want to do the update from the MS store. In many cases, I am seeing the downloads timeout because of slow internet access.

This is the exact problem I'm encountering too. For somebody who has a running 8.0 system, they're not going to have an 8.1 product key -- and why should they even need one? This is an UPDATE to 8.0!

 

[mkeathley]

I'm havign this problem in my shop a lot as well. Not found an easy solution.

 

[Bootman 650]

Is there a solution to this yet? Only had to Re-Install W8 a couple of times but waiting for 8.1 to Download every single time is a bitch!

 

[citizensmith]

wuold one of those full cacheing proxy things in the workshop do for this?

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Think I read somewhere that you can install Windows 8.1 clean with a dummy product key, and then when it is finished that you can go into the control panel and supposedly they accept the Windows 8 product key there and you can activate that way. Have not tried it though.

 

[smashedbotatos]

There are generic keys to use with Windows 8.1 when installing on a Windows 8 machine. Use the generic key when installing and then update the key once installed.

334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT for Core/Home
XHQ8N-C3MCJ-RQXB6-WCHYG-C9WKB for Professional

 

[Bootman 650]

Sweet! Cheers

 

[Porthos]

Yup those work just use the right keyfinder after install. Search my old posts for it

 

[nlinecomputers]

Link to his post. This really needs to be stickied!

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showpost.php?p=423648&postcount=4

 

[Porthos]

One of these days I will try to build an UEFI compatible image.

But those keys will get you by the 8.1 key requirement till you can pull the OEM key.

 

[AtYourService]

had the same dilemma yesterday, ended up just letting it dl overnight and install
I'd rather have an offline solution too

 

[Xander]

Realized I'd not gotten around to setting up an 8.1 ISO. Followed the directions all over about running the 8.0 installer with key and the 8.1 without. Now, on my main PC, the 8.1 still asks for a key, I give it the generics above and "can't connect." [sigh] I have another Win8.1 laptop on my bench and I get the same results on it.

Are they blocking the generic codes now?

Anyone find a trustworthy source for 8.1 ISOs?

 

[ohio_grad_06]

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57601