Many of us could not wait to get our hands on the new Windows 8 when it was released last year. It has been so much fun using all the apps, enjoying the ease of navigating it and the overall look and feel of it. Now that you have gotten your feet wet and have become a Windows 8 pro, you can now upgrade to Windows 8.1. Some of you may have devices which were manufactured before the release of Windows 8.1. If that is the case, you may need to update it yourself. If you have not done so and are eager to know how to upgrade to Windows 8.1, here are the easy steps to follow:
Get Your Computer Ready: Before you download Windows 8.1, you need to do a few things. You should plug-in to a power source, back up your files, connect to the internet and make sure you have all the latest updates for Windows. You will also need to have enough space, which is about 3,000 MB of available space.
Download Your 8.1 Update: You can get your free update for Windows 8.1 in one of two places. You can go to your start screen and touch or click on the green store icon and download it from there. If you do not find it there,k you can head over  to the Microsoft website and download and install the Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1 update. While this is downloading, it will run in the background, so you can work on whatever you like. The installer will check to be sure you have enough memory, your apps and devices will work with the update and you have all the updates you need. If there are any issues, you will get a pop up which will walk you through what you need to do.
Reboot Your Computer:Â Once your download is finished, you will need to reboot your computer. This will make sure your download was successfully installed and you are ready to use Windows 8.1! Before you reboot, be sure you have saved any work and close out of any windows and programs you may have been working in.
Choose Your Settings:Â Once the reboot has completed, you will see a screen asking you to accept the terms of the new update. Once you accept, you will then choose your settings for Windows 8.1, you can use the express settings or customize settings to your personal preferences. You will be prompted for this and each avenue is explained so you can make the best choice for your needs. You would just click or touch “Express Settings” or “Customize”, depending on your decision.
Sign Into Your Microsoft Account: Next you will need to sign into your Microsoft account and personalize it. If you already have an account, your name will be filled in. If you have not previously set up an account, you may do so here. If you have not created account previously, you will have this opportunity to sign up for your free CloudDrive or OneDrive storage account. This gives you additional storage space for your files, pictures, music and other media. Once you have Windows 8.1 installed, and you have followed the above steps, you can enjoy perusing all the cool features. Some of these include Snap, personalizing your Start Screen, rearranging your apps, and creating groups. There is also the ever so awesome Bing Smart Search and the very cool Picture Password.
