Windows 8 or 8.1?

mardatha

This laptop has windows 8, it keeps asking me if I want to upgrade free to windows 8.1. Do I? Is it better? Easier? I don't know the first thing about computers, I just like to yak on forums and FB.

Big_Graeme

Yes.
Upgrade now.

Jivesinger

You will have to upgrade sooner or later, because Windows 8 (without 8.1) goes out of support in a little over a year.

mardatha

Thanks - will I keep everything I have now, without having to upload and install stuff?

Big_Graeme

mardatha wrote: »

Thanks - will I keep everything I have now, without having to upload and install stuff?

So why ask if you just ignore the advice?

Lorian

Big_Graeme wrote: »

So why ask if you just ignore the advice?

Read twice reply once?

Chino

Big_Graeme wrote: »

So why ask if you just ignore the advice?

I assume the OP was merely asking whether he or she needs to take any steps to retain his or her files and applications before upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1.

The advice on "http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8" is:

"If you're running Windows 8
You can keep Windows settings, personal files, and most apps"

although it goes on to state:

"If you're running Windows 8, your Windows Store apps will need to be reinstalled from the Store.".

Jivesinger

I would do a full disk image backup first in any case - always worth it before doing a major change, even if in theory it should keep most things.

Edit: Microsoft's tutorial on going from 8 to 8.1 is here - worth a read:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/update-from-windows-8-tutorial

robgoingcrazy

I did it no problems as soon as I got my laptop, just make sure you don't need to use the laptop for a while as well as the other advice above - if you have a C: and partition, at the very least copy all your important documents to or an external drive, JUST IN CASE - it should work without losing any of your documents, etc.

mardatha

Ok yes that's what I meant - sorry I wasn't clear. Thanks xx

Big_Graeme

Missed the ? sorry.