Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 Upgrade Paths
Applies To: Windows 8, Windows 8.1
This document describes upgrade paths for the Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 operating systems.
In this topic:
Windows 8.1 Edition Upgrades
Windows 8 Edition Upgrades
Windows 8 Supported Upgrade Paths
Windows 8.1 Edition Upgrades
Windows 8.1 upgrades are available in the Windows Store or on media. Note that when you upgrade to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store, you cannot change editions. Upgrading to a different edition of Windows 8.1 is supported from media only.
Volume license versions of Windows 8, Windows 8 Enterprise, and Windows 8 Enterprise Eval versions cannot be upgraded from the Windows Store. You must use media to upgrade these editions.
You must upgrade to Windows RT 8.1 from Windows® RT by using the Windows Store. Media is not available for Windows RT 8.1 upgrades.
The following editions are supported:
Upgrade to Windows 8.1
You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 and keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications from the following Windows operating system editions:
- Windows 8
Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro
You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 Pro and keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications from the following Windows operating system editions:
Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
Windows 8.1
Upgrade to Windows 8.1 Enterprise (Volume License)
You can upgrade to Windows 8.1 Enterprise (Volume License) from the following operating system editions:
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Pro with Media Center
Windows 8 Enterprise
Windows 8.1 Pro
Windows 8.1 Supported Upgrade Paths
The following table shows the settings, personal files, and applications that you can keep during an upgrade.
Note
You cannot upgrade or keep your Windows settings, personal files, or applications if you are performing a cross-language installation. You can only keep your personal files during a cross-language installation by using Windows Setup.
Note
Windows Upgrades on native boot virtual hard disks (.vhd or .vhdx files) are not supported. You must perform a clean installation on a new VHD.
To install Windows 8.1 on PCs running Windows XP or Windows Vista, you must run Windows Setup by booting Windows 8.1 installation media. The following table shows media-based upgrade scenarios, not store updates.
| Installation paths to Windows 8.1 | Keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications | Keep personal files only (data only) | Keep nothing (clean install) |
|---|---|---|---|
Windows 7 |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows 7 |
No |
No |
No |
Cross-language Windows 7 |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows 8 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows 8 |
No |
No |
No |
Cross-language Windows 8 |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows 8.1 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows 8.1 |
No |
No |
No |
Cross-language Windows 8.1 |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows 8 Edition Upgrades
This section describes the operating system editions from which you can upgrade to editions of Windows 8.
Upgrade to Windows 8
You can upgrade to Windows 8 and keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications from the following Windows operating system editions:
Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro
You can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro and keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications from the following Windows operating system editions:
Windows 7 Starter
Windows 7 Home Basic
Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate
Upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise (Volume License)
You can upgrade to Windows 8 Enterprise (Volume License) from the following operating system editions:
Windows 7 Professional (Volume License)
Windows 7 Enterprise (Volume License)
Windows 8 (Volume License)
Windows 8 Supported Upgrade Paths
The following table shows the settings, personal files, and applications that you can keep during an upgrade.
Note
You cannot upgrade or keep your Windows settings, personal files, or applications if you are performing a cross-language installation. You can only keep your personal files during a cross-language installation by using Windows 8 Setup.
Note
Windows Upgrades on native boot virtual hard disks (.vhd or .vhdx files) are not supported. You must perform a clean installation on a new VHD.
| Installation paths to Windows 8 | Keep Windows settings, personal files, and applications | Keep Windows settings and personal files (data and system settings) | Keep personal files only (data only) | Keep nothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows XP (Service Pack 3 or later) |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows Vista |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows Vista with SP1 |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows Vista with SP1 or later |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Cross-language Windows Vista with SP1 or later |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows 7 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows 7 |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Cross-language Windows 7 |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Windows 8 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Cross-architecture installation (32-bit to 64-bit) Windows 8 |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Cross-language Windows 8 |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
See Also
Tasks
Change the Windows Image to a Higher Edition Using DISM