Windows Upgrade 8.1 Preview to 8 Pro

[LITOralis.nMd]

Hiya,

Any IT pros in here can tell me if it's possible to "upgrade" from the expired 8.1 Preview final build to Windows 8 Pro without a full reinstall?

Looking for an in place solution, if possible.

I did NOT make a backup image of my windows 8 Preview OS drive before updating to 8.1 Preview. !!! FML !!!

I am in possession of the windows 8 Pro .iso , already built the USB stick, but ... the changing versions .ini file trick failed, so I'm stuck.

I have a windows 8 license key. I do NOT have a windows 8.1 license key. I do not want to spend another $100 on this POS OS.

I have to make a decision on reformatting within 24 hours.

TIA,

[AncientMan]

If you have Windows 8, you just update to 8.1 via the Store app, it's free.

As for updating from the preview
Update from Windows 8.1 Preview to Windows 8.1 - Microsoft Windows Help

[LITOralis.nMd]

Sometimes your lack of reading skills scare me bud.

I'm still on Win 8.1 Pro Preview final build. (That is the free pre-retail release, plus the free 8.1 upgrade preview release)

I have to 'downgrade' from that to Windows 8 Pro .

Anyways,

[Mineral]

They removed the old 8.1 Preview FAQ it seems, but I found it used to say this about going back to windows8:

"If you're running Windows 8 and you install the preview using the ISO, you won't be able to uninstall it. You'll need to reinstall Windows 8 using recovery or installation media that came with your PC. If you don't have recovery media, you might be able to create a USB recovery drive. For more info, see Create a USB recovery drive."

But like AM said, why don't you just update the 8.1 preview to 8.1? for free? Why go back to 8.0?

[LITOralis.nMd]

I only have a windows 8 license key.
You can't use a windows 8 license key on a windows 8.1 installation.

I was planning to sidegrade from 8.1 preview to 8 retail, then update 8 retail to 8.1 current.

Worst part is, I had windows server 2008r2 on my server before this, and it was superior in all ways.

[Mineral]

I see,sorry my bad. Yeah, I guess format is in order. Install 8 with the key and then upgrade.