In the list of updates, select the update containing KB , and then tap or click Install. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, enter the password or provide confirmation. Follow the previous steps to check for updates, install all important updates, particularly KB , restart your PC, and then check for KB again. Depending on your version of Windows, you'll need the following amount of available drive space on your PC to download and install the Windows 8.
Note: These amounts are estimates, so you might need slightly more or less available drive space for the update. If you see any of the following Windows Update errors when you try to install the Windows 8. If you need more help, contact Microsoft support. This error might mean that a file needed by Windows Update is damaged or missing. Here are a few steps you can try to fix the problem:. Run the Windows 8. If you're running Windows RT 8. For info about how to fix this problem, contact Microsoft support.
This error might mean that your PC couldn't connect to the Windows Update servers. If you're using a VPN connection to connect to a work network, disconnect from the network and turn off the VPN software if applicable and then try to install the update again. The error could also mean there isn't enough free space in the System Reserved partition. You might be able to fix this problem by using third-party software to increase the size of the System Reserved partition.
Error: We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer. Error: Failure configuring Windows Updates. Reverting changes. These are generic errors that might appear any time a Windows update fails. You'll need to determine the specific error code to investigate how to best resolve this problem You can find the error code for the failed update by viewing your update history.
Look for KB in the list, note the error code, and then contact Microsoft support. To view your update history:. Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up , tapping or clicking Settings , tapping or clicking Change PC settings , and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.
This error might mean that your PC doesn't have the required update KB installed. Check to make sure that all important updates, including KB , are installed on your PC. If all updates are installed, you might need to refresh your PC. To refresh you PC:. Tap or click Update and recovery , and then tap or click Recovery. Under Refresh your PC without affecting your files , tap or click Get started.
Need more help? Your files, desktop apps, user accounts, and settings come with you. Windows 8. Your existing Windows Store apps don't come with you, but once the update is complete, you can reinstall all of these apps at once—or just the ones you want. We'll check your desktop apps and devices for you. As part of the update, we check your current desktop apps and connected devices.
We'll let you know what you'll need to do to get them ready for the update or to get them working again after the update. In most cases, you won't need to do anything—most desktop apps, devices like printers , and network connections will work normally after the update. Consider using a Microsoft account to sign in to your PC. If you already have an account you use with Outlook. You can keep working while the update is installing.
Download and installation times vary from about 30 minutes to several hours, depending on your internet connection speed and the speed and configuration of your PC, but you can still use your PC while the update is installing in the background.
After it restarts, you won't be able to use your PC for a little while from about 20 minutes to an hour while the updates are being applied.
After that phase is complete, we'll walk you through choosing a few basic settings and then Windows will finish applying any final updates that are needed. Back up your files. Although your files and apps come with you when you update to Windows 8. Make sure you have enough free disk space. If you're currently running Windows 8, you need 3, MB of available space to install the bit version of Windows 8.
Plug in your laptop or tablet. It's important to keep your PC plugged in throughout the update process, because if you lose power before it's done, the update might not install properly. Connect to the internet. It's best to stay connected until the update is done. Get the latest critical and important updates.
There are some updates you might need before you can install Windows 8. In most cases, the latest updates will be installed automatically using Windows Update.
Temporarily turn off your antivirus program. Some antivirus software might interfere with the installation. After you install Windows 8. The Store is no longer open for Windows 8, so you'll need to download Windows 8. Go to the Windows 8. Select Confirm and follow the remaining prompts to begin the download.
The update will download and install in the background while you use your PC to do other things. The installer will check to make sure you have enough disk space, that your apps and devices will work with Windows 8. In some cases, the installer might find something you need to take care of before you can continue installing the update. If so, you'll see a message telling you what you need to do.
After the update is downloaded and the first phase of the installation is complete which could take between 15 minutes and a few hours, depending on your system and your connection speed , you'll see a message telling you that your PC needs to restart.
Or you can restart it yourself. Important: If you leave your PC before it's ready to restart, be sure to save your work and close any desktop apps you're using to make sure you don't lose anything when it restarts automatically. Restarting will take longer than usual—from 20 minutes to about an hour—while the update is applied. During this time, you won't be able to use your PC.
You'll see a list of recommended settings called Express settings. To accept these settings and continue, select Use express settings. You can change any of these settings later, after you finish setting up. If you'd like to change some of these settings now, select Customize. For more info, select Learn more about express settings. To learn about how these settings affect your privacy, select Privacy statement. Next, you'll be asked to sign in.
If you need to download an ISO to reinstall the full version of the operating system, you can download one from Microsoft here. If you windows 8 upgrade 8.1 free download still using Microsoft Windows 8. You can still qualify for a free upgrade to Windows windows 8 upgrade 8.1 free download if you own a valid Windows 8.
Additionally, Windows 10 has the same system requirements as Windows 8. Even though Windows 11 has been announced, upgrading to Windows 10 has several advantages. Windows 10, on the other hand, was compatible with virtually everything Windows 8.
Windows 10 will also be supported throughwhich gives you an extra two full years of support before needing to figure out an alternative solution.
If you are somehow still stuck on Windows 8. If you want to download just the Windows 8. Windows 8. To download and install Windows 8.
The other easier, and completely legal, option is to download the Windows 8. Bear in mind that if you go down this road, upgrading to a real version of Windows 8. Once you have the Windows 8. If you already have Windows 8, and you waited for the official release date, installing Windows 8. In both these cases, the upgrade process should be very smooth, with your apps and settings fully preserved.
If you upgrade from Windows 8. Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. It has since been updated with new information. This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page.
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