【UPDATE WINDOWS 7 to WINDOWS 8 and 8.1】 Step by Step 2024

How to update Windows 7 to Windows 8 or 8.1? Step by step guide

Windows 7 has proven to be a very robust and highly effective system for many years; However, it is always time to make the leap and yield to the generational change with one of the other proposals that Microsoft puts on the table. The basic support of W7 has been inactive since January 2015 . Therefore, since that date, the best option is to upgrade and launch Windows 8, 8.1 or even 10 .

After that system so popular and loved by users, the American company launched a completely renewed and improved version, Windows 8 . With it, he changed the user interface completely using the Metro system and, in addition, took the opportunity to also approach smart devices such as smartphones and tablets with a platform compatible with them. Pretty good in performance issues.

So, how to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 8 or 8.1? As time goes by it is more complicated to do this procedure, since Microsoft always tries to take those interested towards their most modern operating systems. However, there are options that work and serve to achieve this purpose. Here, we are going to talk about all of them.

Index:

Update and install the new version of Windows 8 or 8.1 from Windows 7

This guide is used to perform this update from W7 to W8 or even W8.1 . Following all the steps that we will explain later, you can install this version on your computer in minutes and without having to resort to too complex procedures. Let’s go! .

Although the most modern trend is to make the jump to Windows 10 , you also have the option to upgrade to the new version of Windows 8 or 8.1 from Windows 7. To do this, before you’re welcome, you need a USB drive with a minimum of 4GB capacity . If you have it, follow the steps below:

1 – Download the updater

First, you need the Windows 8 updater . Microsoft grants it in an easy and accessible way through its support web pages, so you just have to enter its portal and get it.

Download Windows 8.1 Assistant

The only thing you have to do in this regard is download the official installer from the links we provide , do not worry, they are totally reliable. Or you can also access the official download website from here . Once inside, you have to go down the page a bit until you find the “Download the tool now” button. Click on it and the download of the Windows 8.1 installation program for your computer will begin.

2 – Run the Windows 8.1 installer

When you have finished downloading the “mediacreationtool.exe” file, find it in the folder you will assign to the browser when downloading and open it. It is very important that you right-click on the file and click on “ Run as administrator ” to avoid any kind of conflict.

The installation media creation tool window will open. Choose the appropriate language, edition and architecture . In our case, “ Spanish “, “ Windows 8.1 ” and, in the last section “ 32 bits (x86) ” or “ 64 bits (x64) ”. When you have done so, click on “ Next ”.

Next, you’ll be told where to save the installer . You can choose “ USB flash drive ” or “ ISO file ”. In the first case, it is necessary to have a device with at least 4 GB free ; in the second, a DVD on which to burn the disc image. We choose which one we choose, we will have to have previously connected a USB for the first case, as well as a DVD on the computer for the second.

Since the USB format is currently the most used, it is better to choose the first option and click on “ Next ”. Although, be careful, everything in that unit will be completely deleted if a previous backup has not been made. Windows will warn you that the files on the pen drive will be deleted. Press “Accept.”

3 – Change the boot of your PC

When you have finished performing the entire process. You must restart the PC and enter the pressed BIOS: “ Delete ” or “ F2 ” just turn on the PC, to change the boot system . It is usually set to read the hard drive first and access it.

You must enter the section “ Boot ” or “ Boot ” and choose USB as the first device . In this way, the computer will first read this to see if it can be used at boot time. When you have done so, exit the BIOS and save the changes . The computer will restart.

4 – Installation begins

Leaving the USB inserted in the corresponding slot, the next startup of the computer will take you directly to the Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 installer . The first window asks you to choose a language, a time slot and the type of keyboard, mark the corresponding fields in the drop-down that appears and, when you finish, click on “ Next ”. On the next screen, there will only be one button to press. Click on “ Install now ” to start the update from W7 to W8.

5 – Key and agreement

Automatically after doing this, Windows will request that you enter your license code . Since this is the only way to have a legal version of the operating system , you must have previously paid for it. Enter the 25-digit code (without entering the hyphens) and press “ Next “. This step is mandatory, so if you can’t do it, you won’t be able to continue.

When you have done so, the following is to accept Microsoft agreements . To do this, you just have to check the “I accept the terms of use” box and then press the “ Next ” button.

6 – Update or installation?

This point is key, since it depends on it that the update to Windows 8 is done well . The installer will ask you if you want to update or do a clean installation. If you choose the second option you will lose everything and, instead of renewing, you will be doing the process from scratch. Therefore, choose the first option, “Update.”

7 – Finish the update

After the previous section, it is likely that you have to choose the hard disk or the place for the files to be installed . Because we are updating, it should not happen; but, if so, always choose the hard drive that is set as primary , where you had Windows 7 installed before.

Now, just wait for the files to be installed on your computer and, when this process is finished, which can take up to half an hour, click the “Restart now” button.

8 – Last configuration

After restarting the computer, Windows 8.1 will already be installed on your computer ; however, it will take much longer than usual to finish configuring. Wait for it to finish and then specify the last details to be able to use your newly renovated operating system.