From Windows 7 to Windows 8: The in-place upgrade
In
Windows 7, insert the Windows 8 Upgrade media--typically a DVD or USB
media key with the installation files--and click through Auto Run to
launch the Setup application. After a brief Windows 8 splash screen,
Setup begins.
First, choose whether to get any install updates via Windows Update.
Next,
enter your 25-digit Product Key. This is required, unlike with Windows
7, though it's unclear if that will be the case in the final version of
the product. If you forgot to copy the Product Key that Microsoft
provides, you can copy and paste this: It's DNJXJ-7XBW8-2378T-X22TX-BKG7J.
Next, agree to the End User License Agreement, or EULA.
Next,
you'll be asked what you'd like to keep. Since you're running Setup
from Windows 7, the available choices include "Windows settings,
personal files, and more," "just personal files," and "Nothing."
This
part of Setup is comprised of technologies that were previously
available in the separate Windows Easy Transfer utility. Choose the
first if you want to retain (compatible) applications, your personal
documents and other data files, and most customizations, and perform
what I call an in-place upgrade. Choose the last option if you want to
wipe the whole thing out and perform what is essentially a clean
install.
Next,
Setup will check your system to see whether you need to do anything
before proceeding. (Some applications, especially Microsoft Security
Essentials, may need to be uninstalled before you can proceed.) If not,
Setup will communicate that it's ready to install and verify which
things you wanted to keep.
Next, Setup upgrades Windows 7 to Windows 8.
There
will be a couple of reboots during which Setup prepares the system,
updates the Registry, configures device drivers, applies user settings,
and so on.
When
this process is complete, Setup will boot into the Out of Box
Experience (OOBE), where you make your final system configurations.
First, personalize the Start screen with a color scheme.
Then,
choose Express or Custom settings. I've already thoroughly documented
the various settings that are applied with the Express choice in other
articles in this series, but the short version is that most users should
simply choose Express. (I do.)
Then, logon to your previous, Windows 7-based user account.
Here,
Setup will allow you to change this logon to an existing (or new)
Microsoft ID. I recommend doing so, but if you'd rather not, you can
retain your previous local account by clicking "Don't want to sign in
with a Microsoft account?"
Supply the password for your Microsoft account.
Enter
(or, more likely, confirm) your security verification info, which
includes your mobile phone number and an alternate email address.
Then,
Setup creates your account, finalizes your settings, prepares Windows,
and logs you onto to your upgraded, Windows 8-based PC. Congrats, you're
done.
