Windows 8.1 upgrade - is it worth doing?

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silverbirch

244 posts

Master Geek
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Topic # 136196 18-Nov-2013 15:22

I'm running Windows 8 Pro and a desk top, and keep getting the message to update to 8.1. Should I do this, will my files be safe? Well - safe as in anything is safe :-)

Thanks

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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139 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 936769 18-Nov-2013 16:31

It shouldn't effect your files however whenever you update an OS you should backup, just in case something goes wrong.
It shouldn't but you'd rather backup than have the (small) risk of loosing everything.

Wobbles

7 posts

Wannabe Geek
Inactive user

Reply # 937491 19-Nov-2013 19:30

Be careful if you want to keep a local profile when updating to 8.1, Microsoft will do everything within its power to convert your local profile to an 'In The Cloud' Live account. If you manage to to keep it local you will still face the same issues installing an app from the app store.. Microsoft appear absolutely determined that a local account is a no no from now on, they can go suck eggs.

silverbirch

244 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 937495 19-Nov-2013 19:36

Hmm - I only use Windows because of my camera software. Thanks for the tip.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

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sonyxperiageek

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Reply # 937509 19-Nov-2013 20:11

Since it's free, you should. As mentioned above, do a backup just in case something goes wrong.

Sony

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silverbirch

244 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 937514 19-Nov-2013 20:20

Okay - thanks.

It seems a bit like Linux - I use Pclinuxos on my laptop and all upgrades are free - well, it's all free actually :-)

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

lyonrouge

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Reply # 939454 23-Nov-2013 12:08

Anyone upgraded a Vaio? Sony usually include bloatware and specialised drivers which historically have had no problems with Service Packs, but I hear there are some fundamental changes in Win 8.1 that are at a hardware level?

stocksp

424 posts

Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 939502 23-Nov-2013 15:44

lyonrouge: Anyone upgraded a Vaio? Sony usually include bloatware and specialised drivers which historically have had no problems with Service Packs, but I hear there are some fundamental changes in Win 8.1 that are at a hardware level?

I did a Vaio this week and it seemed fine. The Vaio software did some upgrades too - including the Bios. This was on a new S series notebook (which I haven't used extensively since the upgrade, as its for my daughter for Xmas)

mmlakeman

100 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 939504 23-Nov-2013 15:59

sort of on the same subject - i have 4 PC's to update to 8.1 - is there an admin update msi or iso I can download just once and then run on all 4?

sidefx

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Reply # 939506 23-Nov-2013 16:04

I think this process worked for me to get the ISO:

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57608376-285/how-to-download-the-official-microsoft-windows-8.1-iso/

If not PM me and I might have it somewhere

lyonrouge

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Reply # 939507 23-Nov-2013 16:05

To answer the thread. No. No it is not worth it.

mmlakeman

100 posts

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Reply # 939509 23-Nov-2013 16:09

thanks sidefx - will give it a crack monday morning. I'm hoping it will fix an issue where win 8 doesn't map drives from a login script if you are a local admin...

lyonrouge

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Reply # 939512 23-Nov-2013 16:22

Win 8.1 really does not like local accounts and will do all it can to switch you to a Microsoft account

macuser

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Reply # 939526 23-Nov-2013 16:59

Is there any benefit to a local account? I love my outlook/windows live account as it syncs all my settings/themes across PCs etc

silverbirch

244 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 939527 23-Nov-2013 17:01

I use Gmail for mail, so have no need of a microsoft account, and don't want one.

"Dance among the moonbeams, feel the magic in the air".

Registered Linux user #386597 http://counter.li.org/

lchiu7

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Reply # 939622 23-Nov-2013 20:51

I upgraded one machine which was my Video editing machine and have decided to make it main box. I also updated to Office 2013 (not sure I like that so much).

So far it's fine but then I didn't use 8.0 on much either. I tend to spend most of my time on the desktop so 8 or 8.1 does not make much difference to me.

As for Windows Live accounts, what I am finding is nice is putting my Onenote Notebook in my Skydrive. It means no matter what machine I am on I have access to Onenote data. That for me is primarily technical tips to problems I have solved that I want to recall later and it might not be on the same machine.

That is about the only Microsoft online service I use, apart from needing a Windows Live account to access the Microsoft Volume Licensing Centre. The the rest of my online world is in the Google universe.

System One: Popcorn Hour A200, PS3 SuperSlim, NPVR and Plex Server running on Gigabyte Brix (Windows 10 Pro), Sony BDP-S390 BD player, Pioneer AVR, Raspberry Pi running Kodi and Plex, Panasonic 60" 3D plasma, Google Chromecast

System Two: Popcorn Hour A200 , Oppo BDP-80 BluRay Player with hardware mode to be region free, Vivitek HD1080P 1080P DLP projector with 100" screen. Harman Kardon HK AVR 254 7.1 receiver, Samsung 4K player, Google Chromecast

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