jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Not that I'm at all interested, but it looks like you can download and install Windows 8.1 for free.

http://www.redmondpie.com/download-windows-8.1-pro-iso-file-legally-without-product-key/

jjohnpdq Loc: Lincoln AR. USA

Windows 8.1 is a version of the Windows NT operating system and an upgrade for Windows 8. First unveiled and released as a public beta in June 2013, it was released to manufacturing on August 27, 2013, and reached general availability on October 17, 2013, almost a year after the retail release of its predecessor.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Jerry,
This might be a method for XP users to upgrade to WIN8.1 but this article doesn't tell any restrictions regarding memory amount needed for this installation. XP-32 bit users could have as little as 510 meg or 1 gig of system RAM which might be insufficient for the WIN8.1 OS. I'd do a little more research before attempting to install this APP on an old 32 bit system.
I think that an upgrade of BIOS would also be required to allow an increase in the RAM that is seen and utilizable by the system, and many old XP systems have Phoenix BIOS chips that need a flash upgrade or complete replacement to upgrade their BIOS files.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yeah, if this were for Win7, I'd be interested. I could put it on my Vista machine. I have no interest in Windows 8.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Another consideration that should be addressed is SUPPORT. Without a key number, Microsoft may not give support to users of this method of upgrade.

BTW, you can always make the WIN8.1 OS look like WIN7 in the setup routine and the drivers used in WIN8.1 are somewhat superior to those used in WIN7. I just have real reservations to anyone putting WIN8.1 on an old XP-32 machine without first upgrading the BIOS and systems RAM and not even sure that Phoenix has an upgrade available for flash download.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Thanks, but NO!

erickter Loc: Dallas,TX

I still woundnt take it. Pure junk from the Microsft. I,d be hard pressed to take it even if I was paid.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I agree, although some people seem to like it. I guess the free one is worth the price. :D

frangeo Loc: Texas

It's NOT FREE!!! Cost me a lot to have IT fix my computer after the 8.1 download F###ed it up big time. And I was not the only one I know that had that happened to them.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

You should have researched the Windows Community bulletin board and then you would have found this answer:



Reply

Hi,

Yes, it is from Microsoft. This is your notification that you can download and update to Windows 8.1 for free from the Windows Store:

LINK:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-windows_install/i-am-getting-pop-ups-that-say-get-windows-81-for/b8fce71c-38ba-451c-8342-b5c61c79f8aa?page=3&msgId=a527ff2d-8402-43ad-b31d-48bf71c91a5e

Since you have Windows 8, you can update to Windows 8.1 for free by going here and selecting Get the update, even if you haven’t seen the notification on your device yet. Windows 8.1 has new features and enhancements to make Windows faster and easier to use. Learn more about Windows 8.1 by going to our What’s new in Windowspage.

My banner FORCED Me to update. I have had problems ever since. Too bad I did not find this forum beforehand.

Ballantynes Day

Reply

I also didn't want 8.1 and was getting the prompt with no choice of declining. I actually had to hold the power button to shut down my computer because it wouldn't let me do anything until I chose how many hours till I wanted to upgrade. I hunted and found on the microsoft website these instructions which I just did quite easily so I'm passing it on to you.

Hold down the Windows key and the R key at the same time. A box comes up. Type appwiz.cpl in the command box. In the Programs and Features window (look to the left hand side) and click on View Installed Updates. Scroll through them and look for KB2871389. ( I found it a ways down the list on my screen) When you find that update, click it and then click uninstall. This update is what was allowing that annoying pop up on the 8.1 update. I don't let my computer install updates automatically anymore, so now and again, I go to the updates at my convenience and do it then. You may want to look at these updates to make sure that this particular one does not get re-installed or you'll be back to that particular pop up. Hope this helps everyone.