upgrade my windows 8.1

Michela Dorant 0 Reputation points
2026-09-13T13:55:42.71+00:00

upgrade my windows 8.1, any tips? I would like to upgrade my old PC

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Install and upgrade

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  1. AI answer

    2026-09-13T13:55:56.25+00:00

    For an old PC running Windows 8.1, the practical upgrade path is Windows 10.

    Recommended approach:

    1. Update Windows 8.1 first.
      • Open Control Panel.
      • Search for Windows Update.
      • Select Check for updates and install available updates.
    2. Prepare before the upgrade.
      • Unplug nonessential hardware such as printers, scanners, USB drives, and external hard drives.
      • If the PC is docked, undock it.
      • Uninstall non-Microsoft antivirus software temporarily.
      • Uninstall old or nonessential apps that might block setup.
    3. Create Windows 10 installation media on a USB drive.
    4. Start the upgrade from inside Windows 8.1.
      • Attach the Windows 10 USB drive.
      • If prompted, select Run setup.exe.
      • If no prompt appears in Windows 8.1:
        • Right-click Start > File Explorer.
        • Select This PC.
        • Under Devices and drives, right-click the Windows 10 installation media.
        • Select Install or run program from your media.
    5. Choose the upgrade path carefully.
      • An upgrade can retain applications, files, and settings.
      • If a custom or clean installation is performed instead, applications and settings aren’t kept. Personal files and Windows files are moved to Windows.old.

    Important notes:

    • Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 is supported as an upgrade scenario.
    • If setup fails, rollback logs can be checked under \$Windows.~BT\sources\Panther and sources\Rollback on the Windows drive.
    • Windows 8.1 is out of support, and Windows 10 support also has an end date, so for a very old PC it can also be worth considering replacement hardware.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. Ivan B 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-13T14:31:08.45+00:00

    Hi,

    You can perform the update using the Media Creation Tool; however, performing a clean install of Windows via USB is the recommended method.

    To try updating via the Media Creation Tool:

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

    Select "Download tool now" and then "Run." You must be an administrator to run this tool.

    If you agree to the license terms, select "Accept."

    On the "What do you want to do?" page, select "Upgrade this PC."

    Wait for the check to complete and the process to begin.

    If it fails initially:

    Search for "msinfo32.exe" in the search bar, take a screenshot, and post it here so we can see the correct laptop model or desktop configuration.

    Thanks

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