How to: update your PC to Windows 8.1

The option to update your computer to Windows 8.1 isn’t in the first place you’d look.

We show you where to find it.

Previous versions of Microsoft’s operating system have received service packs every few years, but that’s changing. Starting with Windows 8, Microsoft is adopting an incremental, yearly update in the style of Apple’s iOS.

Preparing to update

You’ll need several gigabytes of storage free on your hard drive to download the Windows 8.1 update. Depending on what version of Windows 8 you have, the update can weigh in at around 3.5GB.

Check the system requirements necessary for Windows 8.1. If you’re already running Windows 8 then you should be fine, but it’s always best to make sure.

It’s worth backing up any important files to an external hard drive or a cloud service like Microsoft SkyDrive before installing the Windows 8.1 update. If you’re updating a laptop or tablet then remember to plug it in before starting to update.

Finding the update

Microsoft isn’t pushing out Windows 8.1 through Windows Update. Head to the Start screen and navigate to Windows Store.

Windows Store (circled in red) is the green icon with a white shopping bag on it

Microsoft is encouraging Windows 8 users to update, which explains the huge button that appears when the Windows Store app opens.

Click or tap the giant update button to continue

Click or tap Download to start the update process. Windows 8.1 will download and you can check its progress in the Windows Store app. If the download drops just run through these steps to try again.

You can carry on working, watching Netflix or playing games while the download finishes up. A prompt to restart will appear when Windows is ready to finalise the Windows 8.1 update.

If you see something different, you may not have Windows 8 Pro or the Media Center pack

The update wait

Once the download is completed, save and close whatever you were doing to pass the time before you restart your machine to finalise the update.

Do some laundry, clean out a closet or vacuum your carpets while your computer finishes up

It can take quite a while to download and install Windows 8.1. We updated two machines and both took several hours to process the update.

Never fear, Windows 8.1 is here!

Finalising the update

Eventually, your machine will finish updating. Phew!

Before you can get back to using your computer, you’ll have to agree to licence terms and confirm your settings.

You’ll be prompted to agree to the Windows 8.1 licence terms and conditions. Select Agree to continue.

You can choose to agree to Windows 8.1’s express settings or customise settings to your liking. We recommend customisation.

Windows 8.1 express settings

You’ll be given options for how you want Windows to update…

…whether you want to provide Microsoft with information to help improve Windows…

…and let Windows use your information to personalise apps and services.

Sign in to your Microsoft account to confirm your installation and settings.

Microsoft’s cloud storage solution, SkyDrive, is more integral to Windows 8.1 than it was in Windows 8. SkyDrive is on by default, but you can turn it off.

Once you’ve selected the settings you want you’re ready to use Windows 8.1! Consider restarting your machine once again.

Before starting to use your newly updated operating system, you could also take the opportunity to create a system restore point in case of any future problems with your machine.