The Windows 8 eagle has landed, which means that Microsoft's $39.99
in-place upgrade is now available. They've made it extremely easy to
upgrade your computer from a
Windows 7, Vista, or XP computer to Windows 8. Here's how it's done.
(Upgrade Step Images http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-3671_7-10014340-2.html)
First, check out our CNET guide on how to prepare your computer for Windows 8.
There's also instructions on how to restore your old system, which is
important in case something unexpectedly goes awry, or you decide you
don't like Windows 8, you can restore what you had before.
If you're upgrading a laptop, you must take note of your Wi-Fi
passwords. Windows 8 will keep your settings, personal files, and
programs if you upgrade from Windows 7. Vista and XP upgraders will have
to re-install programs and reconfigure settings.
Next, go to Microsoft's Windows 8 site.
Scroll down to the offer and click "Get the details." It's $39.99 for
the downloadable installer, or $69.99 to have them mail you a disc.
When you click on the Download Pro link, it will give to your computer a
small "stub" installer. It's a 5 MB file that will run a compatibility
check on your computer, tell you which programs will and won't work in
Windows 8, and let you know if you have to uninstall any of them.
Until Windows 8 begins its installation, there's some babysitting
required. After running the stub, it'll tell you how much of your
current computer is compatible, and if there's anything you'll have to
review. On the Toshiba Satellite running Windows 7 that I tested this
on, I learned that Windows 8 is about as fond of bloatware as the rest
of us: the upgrade process requested that I uninstall several
Toshiba-branded programs.
Microsoft not only has made it cheap to upgrade to Windows 8, they've made it easy, too.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)
You don't have to stop everything to take care of them, though, because
the Windows 8 installer will walk you through that process. After
letting you know whether there are details that will require your
attention, it asks Windows 7 upgraders what they'd like to keep of their
settings, apps, and personal files.
After that, it asks you to buy the upgrade. The ordering process happens
in the installer, too. Once you've paid by either credit card or
PayPal, it will start downloading the 2 GB installer. You get a choice
of installing immediately, installing later, or creating a USB key or
disc from which to run the installer.
After that, it prompts you to remove any programs that cause conflicts
on Windows 8, such as the aforementioned Toshiba-built software. It's
clearly a nuanced process, though, as I wasn't required to uninstall all
of it -- just four programs out of 11 conflicts. If you have to restart
your computer, just double-click on the Windows 8 installation icon on
your desktop and it will quickly find where it left off.
Once any conflicts are eliminated, Windows 8 will install. It's a
surprisingly fast process, as long as you remember to babysit it at the
beginning.
Source : cnet.com
Comments