Microsoft已为Windows 8用户提供免费升级的Windows 8 .1。(Windows 8)该过程是通过Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)执行的，尽管它不是很复杂，但您应该记住一些重要的要求和步骤。如需完整的升级指南(upgrade guide)、屏幕截图和详细说明，请阅读本教程。
升级开始前的操作(Begins)
在开始升级过程之前，您应该考虑以下几点：
- 您应该使用Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)登录。本地(Local)帐户不能用于升级过程。如果您想了解有关Microsoft帐户的更多信息，请阅读本教程：Windows 8 简介：您应该使用本地(Local)帐户还是Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft Account)？
- 您必须使用最新的更新使您的Windows 8安装保持最新。如果您刚刚安装了Windows 8并且想要升级它，而没有经历大量可用的更新......您无法升级到Windows 8.1。
- 在安装Windows 8(Windows 8)的分区上，64 位版本的Windows 8.1和 32 位版本的Windows 8.1应该有 20 GB 的空闲空间。此空间将用于下载和安装Windows 8.1更新。仅下载将使用 3.6-4GB 的空间。
- 必须激活您的 Windows 8 安装。如果不是，则该更新将无法在Windows Store中获得。
- 您应该备份您的重要文件，以确保您不会丢失它们。问题(Problems)不应该发生，但你永远不知道事情是如何开始出现故障的。如果您不知道使用什么工具，请不要犹豫，试试内置的文件历史记录功能(File History feature)。
如何使用Windows 应用商店更新到(Windows Store)Windows 8.1
如果满足所有先决条件，请继续打开Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)。在其主页上，您应该会看到一个大条目，上面写着“免费更新到 Windows 8.1”("Update to Windows 8.1 for free")。单击或点击它。
注意：(NOTE:)如果您没有看到此条目，则可能意味着您所在的国家/地区尚未提供Windows 8.1 。它应该很快就会可用，所以再等一天左右。
显示了有关Windows 8.1更新的详细信息，以及有关此更新含义的信息。在按“下载(Download)”开始更新过程之前，请不要犹豫，阅读所有这些信息。
Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)开始下载Windows 8.1更新。
在此过程中，您可以正常使用Windows 8。但是，请确保您在更新进行期间不处理任何重要的事情。🙂
下载完成后，您的更新将经历几个阶段：准备更新、检查您的 PC 与Windows 8.1的兼容性、对(Windows 8.1)Windows 8应用一些更改、收集有关您的特定 PC配置的信息以及(configuration and preparing)为首次重启做准备。
在这些步骤中的某个时刻，您可能会被提示“安装 Windows 8.1 可能会更改您的显示语言。要更改回它，您需要重新安装语言包”("Installing Windows 8.1 might change your display language. To change it back, you'll need to reinstall the language pack")的提示打断。这仅对使用多种显示语言的用户显示，因为在Windows 8.1中有更多功能和工具需要翻译。因此，您必须安装为Windows 8.1设计的新语言包。
要继续更新，请单击或点按(click or tap) 继续(Continue)。然后，会显示一条通知，上面写着“正在安装 Windows 8.1”("Installing Windows 8.1")。
如果单击或点击它，您将被带到Windows 应用商店(Windows Store)，您可以在其中查看安装过程(installation process)的进度。
但是，您也可以忽略它，让安装过程(installation process)完成它的工作。当安装准备好进入下一阶段时，系统会通知您您的 PC 需要重新启动。
关闭已打开的应用程序或文档(apps or documents)，然后按立即重新启动(Restart Now)。
Windows 8 重新启动您的 PC，然后您的 Windows 8.1 安装完成。这涉及许多步骤和重新启动：安装设备、应用 PC 设置等。这将需要相当长的时间。用一些耐心武装自己！
安装结束后，系统会要求您接受Windows 8.1许可条款。阅读它们并按“我接受”("I accept")确认您同意它们。
然后，Windows 8.1安装的个性化过程(personalization process)开始。
如何个性化Windows 8.1安装
您需要选择是要使用 Windows 8.1 附带的快速设置，还是要自定义安装。让我们动手，看看如果单击或点击自定义(Customize)会发生什么。
首先，系统会询问您是否要打开文件共享和网络发现(file sharing and network discovery)。选择您喜欢的选项。
然后，系统会询问您Windows Update的(Windows Update)默认行为(default behavior)以及Windows SmartScreen等安全功能的默认行为。更改您感兴趣的内容，然后单击或点击下一步(Next)。
然后，系统会询问您故障排除选项以及您要打开的内容。您还可以设置是否要向Microsoft发送不同类型的信息。根据您的喜好进行(preference and press)设置，然后按(Set)Next。
现在，系统会询问您是否要向Microsoft发送不同类型的信息，以及应用程序是否可以使用您的姓名、帐户图片以及是否允许它们访问您的位置。根据您的喜好进行(preference and click)设置(Set)，然后单击或点击Next。
最后，您可以使用您的Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)登录您的 PC 。输入您的Microsoft 帐户密码，然后单击(Microsoft account password and click)或点击下一步(Next)。
您被要求使用安全代码(security code)来验证您的帐户。选择您希望接收该代码的方式：通过手机上的短信、电话(phone call)或电子邮件。然后，单击或点击(click or tap) 下一步(Next)。
注意：(NOTE:)获取此代码所显示的选项取决于您设置Microsoft 帐户(Microsoft account)的方式以及您是否提供了电话号码(phone number)。
现在，系统会要求您使用您选择的方法输入您刚刚收到的安全码。(security code)键入它并单击或点击Next。
接下来，系统会要求您选择是否要在Windows 8.1中使用(Windows 8.1)SkyDrive。为获得最佳计算体验(computing experience)，最好单击“下一步”(Next)并保持SkyDrive处于开启状态。如果你想关闭它，你应该点击“关闭这些 SkyDrive 设置”("Turn off these SkyDrive settings")。
Windows 8.1需要一段时间来准备您的计算机、应用程序和所有设置。该过程还可能涉及重新启动。完成后，您将登录到Windows 8.1，您可以查看“开始(Start)”屏幕。欢迎使用 Windows 8.1！
安装后要做什么
Windows 8 .1 将保留您在(Windows 8)Windows 8中的大部分设置。但是，有一些新功能和应用程序需要定制。因此，请不要犹豫，浏览新的PC 设置(PC Settings)和新应用程序，并根据需要对其进行自定义。
最后但同样重要的是，打开文件资源管理器(File Explorer)并转到安装Windows的分区。在那里，您将看到以前的 Windows 8 安装的Windows.old文件夹。(Windows.old)
要删除它，最好使用 Windows 8.1 中的磁盘清理(Disk Cleanup)工具。按清理系统文件(Clean up system files)按钮并选择旧的Windows 安装(Windows installation)文件。要了解如何使用此工具，请阅读本教程：在Windows 7和Windows 8中使用磁盘清理释放浪费的(Disk Cleanup)空间(Space)。
结论
我希望本指南对您有用。如果您遇到问题或发现 PC 上有不同的步骤，请不要犹豫，使用下面的评论表分享它们。
How to Upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store
Microsoft has made available Windows 8.1 as а free upgrade for Windows 8 users. The procedυre is performed through the Windows Store and, even though it is not very complicated, there are some important requirements and steps you should keep in mind. For the complete upgrade guide, with screenshots and detailed instructions, read this tutorial.
What to do Before the Upgrade Begins
There are a couple of things you should take into consideration prior to starting the upgrade procedure:
- You should log on with a Microsoft account. Local accounts can't be used for the upgrade process. If you would like to learn more about Microsoft, accounts, read this tutorial: Introducing Windows 8: Should You Use a Local or a Microsoft Account?
- You must have your Windows 8 installation up-to-date with the latest updates. If you just installed Windows 8 and you want to upgrade it, without going through the tons of updates available for it... you can't upgrade to Windows 8.1.
- You should have 20 GB of empty space for the 64-bit edition of Windows 8.1 and 16GB of empty space for the 32-bit edition of Windows 8.1, on the partition where Windows 8 is installed. This space will be used to download and install the Windows 8.1 update. The download alone will use 3.6-4GB of space.
- Your Windows 8 installation must be activated. If it isn't, the update won't be available in the Windows Store.
- You should backup your important files, to make sure you won't lose them. Problems should not occur but you never know how things may start to malfunction. If you don't know what tool to use, don't hesitate to try the built-in File History feature.
How to Update to Windows 8.1 Using the Windows Store
If all the prerequisites are met, then go ahead and open the Windows Store. On its homepage you should see a big entry saying "Update to Windows 8.1 for free". Click or tap on it.
NOTE: If you don't see this entry, it may mean that Windows 8.1 is not yet available for your country. It should become available very soon, so wait one more day or so.
Details are shown about the Windows 8.1 update, together with information about what this update means. Don't hesitate to read all this information before pressing Download to start the update process.
The Windows Store starts downloading the Windows 8.1 update.
During this process, you can use Windows 8 as normal. However, make sure you don't work on anything that's important while the update is ongoing. 🙂
After the download is complete, your update will go through several stages: getting the update ready, checking the compatibility of your PC with Windows 8.1, applying some changes to Windows 8, gathering information about your specific PC's configuration and preparing for the first restart.
At some point during these steps you may be interrupted by a prompt saying that "Installing Windows 8.1 might change your display language. To change it back, you'll need to reinstall the language pack". This shows up only for users that use multiple display languages and it is shown because in Windows 8.1 there are more features and tools that need to be translated. Therefore, you will have to install new language packs designed for Windows 8.1.
To continue with the update, click or tap Continue. Then, a notification is displayed, saying "Installing Windows 8.1".
If you click or tap on it, you are taken to the Windows Store where you can see the progress of the installation process.
However, you can also ignore it and let the installation process do its thing. When the installation is ready for the next phase, you are notified that your PC needs a restart.
Close the apps or documents you have opened and press Restart Now.
Windows 8 restarts your PC and then your Windows 8.1 installation is finalized. This involves many steps and restarts: installing your devices, applying PC settings, etc. It will take quite a bit of time. Arm yourself with some patience!
When the installation is over, you are asked to accept the Windows 8.1 license terms. Read them and confirm that you agree with them by pressing "I accept".
Then, the personalization process starts for the Windows 8.1 installation.
How to Personalize the Windows 8.1 Installation
You need to choose if you want to use the express settings Windows 8.1 comes bundled with, or you want to customize your installation. Let's get our hands dirty and see what happens if you click or tap Customize.
First, you are asked if you want to turn on file sharing and network discovery or not. Select the option you prefer.
Then, you are asked about the default behavior of Windows Update and that of security features like Windows SmartScreen. Change the things you are interested in and click or tap Next.
Then, you are asked about troubleshooting options and what you want to turn on. You can also set whether you want to send different types of information to Microsoft. Set things according to your preference and press Next.
Now you are asked if you want to send different types of information to Microsoft and whether apps can use your name, account picture and if they are allowed to access your location. Set things according to your preference and click or tap Next.
Finally, you get to sign in to your PC with your Microsoft account. Type your Microsoft account password and click or tap Next.
You are asked to use a security code to verify your account. Select how you would like to receive that code: via a text message on your phone, via a phone call or via email. Then, click or tap Next.
NOTE: The options displayed for getting this code depend on how you have set your Microsoft account and if you provided your phone number.
Now you are asked to enter the security code you just received, using the method you selected. Type it and click or tap Next.
Next, you are asked to select whether you would like to use SkyDrive in Windows 8.1. For the best computing experience, it is best to click Next and leave SkyDrive turned on. If you want to turn it off, you should click "Turn off these SkyDrive settings".
Windows 8.1 takes a while to prepare your computer, your apps and all the settings. The process may also involve a restart. When done, you are logged into Windows 8.1 and you can view the Start screen. Welcome to Windows 8.1!
What To Do After the Installation
Windows 8.1 will keep most of your settings from Windows 8. But, there are new features and apps that need to be customized. Therefore, don't hesitate to browse the new PC Settings and new apps, and customize them as you see fit.
Last but not least, open File Explorer and go to the partition where Windows is installed. There you will see the Windows.old folder with your former Windows 8 installation.
To delete it, it is best to use the Disk Cleanup tool in Windows 8.1. Press the Clean up system files button and select the old Windows installation files. To learn how to use this tool, read this tutorial: Free Up Wasted Space with Disk Cleanup in Windows 7 & Windows 8.
Conclusion
I hope this guide will be useful to you. If you encounter issues or you notice different steps on your PC, don't hesitate to share them using the comments form below.
