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10 Steps for a Smooth Upgrade to Windows 8

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PCQ Bureau
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Let's start by stating beforehand that we are considering to upgrade a 32-bit installation of Windows 7 Ultimate with service pack 1 (installed later via automatic updates) to a 32-bit installation of Windows 8 Pro. The reason for this is that upgrading earlier versions of Windows (XP and Vista) to Windows 8 will not preserve your existing applications. You will need to reinstall them manually. In fact, the system under consideration was earlier upgraded from a 32-bit installation of Windows Vista Ultimate with service pack 2 (installed later via automatic updates).



The following steps will help you plan your upgrade to 8 from 7.

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1. Multi-boot system administrators, plan carefully



Multi-booting in Windows 8 is not as straightforward as with earlier versions of Windows. If the system has to multi-boot, administrators might want to explore the possibility of installing a boot loader of their choice once Windows 8 is up and running (not before it), in order to avoid the inconvenience of having to restart the system twice to switch the choice of the OS (which is the case with Windows 8's new bootloader, which has elements of the modern UI).





Alternatively, if another hard drive is present in the system, administrators may choose to load other operating systems by using another bootloader from that second hard drive, making use of the one-time boot-choice key (if needed) when the PC starts to boot, thus preserving the Windows 8 bootloader on the first hard drive. Windows 8 still makes use of BCD only, however, the move to lightning-fast boot-ups has caused many changes to the booting process compared to Windows 7. One alternative boot loader, which works with Windows 8, is Easy BCD (http://ld2.in/4ci)

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2. Enable UEFI if supported



The unified extensible firmware interface is meant to act as a replacement for BIOS, in order to modernize the booting process while still continuing to support legacy BIOS-based systems which are prevalent as of now. It can be used, among other things, to remotely diagnose your system without any need to have an operating system installed. Your motherboard might have support for UEFI, especially if it (or the entire system) was purchased in the last one year. In many cases, support for UEFI can be activated by a setting in the system's BIOS. Windows 8 has a feature called 'Secure Boot` which requires firmware (which is present in your motherboard) that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has the Microsoft Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database. Your motherboard manual will have the list of specifications which will confirm whether this applies to you. Alternatively, you may obtain the detailed specifications from the motherboard manufacturer's website or your OEM's website or contact technical support.



3. Ensure support for playing DVDs



In case you do not have any third-party application for DVD playback installed in Windows 7, please note that Windows 8 does not include Media Center functionality built-in. In Windows 8, you will need to either install a third-party app for playing DVDs or obtain an add-on (Windows 8 Media Center Pack, currently free) from the Microsoft website to play DVDs in Windows 8 Pro. If you have purchased your optical drive separately from the rest of the system, chances are it may have come with bundled software such as those from Nero, which will let you play DVDs. If you want to obtain Nero software separately, visit http://ld2.in/4cj.







4. Determine alternatives beforehand to your desktop gadgets



In Windows 8, you will not be able to use the desktop gadgets such as the clock, slide show, feed headlines, etc which you might have set up in Windows 7. You will need to get an application that gives the same functionality. Most of these individual gadgets today have popular freeware alternatives.



5. Remove Microsoft Security Essentials



Please note this is a blocking issue, meaning that there is no way you can upgrade to Windows 8 as long as MSSE is installed. In Windows 8, you have Windows Defender, which takes on additional anti-malware responsibilities in comparison to only anti-spyware as with earlier versions of Windows. This eliminates the need for MSSE to be installed separately in Windows 8.



6. Ensure that all pending reboots have been done



This too is a blocking issue. The Windows 8 setup will not continue if it detects that a Windows Update (or installation of other such system-level software such as a few disk imaging products) which requires a restart (such as installing some drivers) is pending. Please run the Windows 8 setup only when there are no pending reboots.



7. Make sure you have (almost) 16 GBs of free space in your system



Another blocking issue. Setup will not begin the actual installation unless sufficient free space is available. During our tests, we were able to get by with approx 15.9 GBs of free space, but not with 15.8 GBs.





8. De-authorize PCs in iTunes



If you have installed iTunes on your current Windows 7 installation, it is strongly advised that prior to beginning the upgrade process, the current PC be de-authorized from iTunes. This is necessary to ensure that you are able to use all of the content (such as ebooks, movies, music, etc) which you have purchased using your Apple ID, post the upgrade. It is to be kept in mind that whenever you sync or play an item you've purchased, your computer is “authorized” for purchase using your Apple ID, which has a limit on the number of systems you can use (per Apple ID).





Upgrading Windows may cause an unnecessary increase in your number of systems against this limit and hence, before starting off with the actual upgrade, de-authorize the current PC because you will not be using a new system altogether after the upgrade. There is no need to remove/uninstall iTunes itself, just de-authorize it. Detailed instructions about how to deauthorize the current PC, how to authorize it again post the upgrade and how authorization and de-authorization works from the point of view of the iTunes store is available in an official Knowledge Base article at the Apple website: http://ld2.in/4cp.



9. Remove Windows Mobile Device Center, for now





As with upgrading Windows Vista to Windows 7, you will be required to reinstall Windows Mobile Device Center after Windows 8 has been successfully installed.



10. Upgrade SQL Server



SQL Server 2005 is not supported on Windows 8. You will need to upgrade to at least SQL Server 2008 with service pack 3 or later.



Also note, as far as your hardware devices are concerned, the Windows 8 upgrade assistant will let you know which of them are compatible. It is advisable that every piece of hardware which you use/plan to use with Windows 8 be powered on and connected to your PC when you are running the Windows 8 upgrade assistant.



Have upgraded to Windows 8? How was your experience? Which version did you upgrade from? Share your opinion with us at pcquest@cybermedia.co.in

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