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27727
Upgrade Vista Home to Windows 8.1
I have a Dell Studio XPS that I bought in 2010. The original operating system installed on the machine is Windows Vista Home.
I'd like to upgrade to Windows 8.1. My system meets all hardware requirements. I also know I need to do a clean installation to completely wipe out my old files and OS before I can upgrade.
My question is will I be able to download the Dell drivers, etc., from the site or should I take a backup of the driver installation files? For example, the drivers for DVD/CD reader, etc.
Thanks for help!
laserman778
511 Posts
2
June 22nd, 2015 06:00
All of your dell drivers will be available from support.dell.com. Once you are there, type in your service tag and you will be brought to a page where you can select drivers and downloads. Once there you should be able to see a page with all the drivers for your computer. Check to make sure there are Windows 8.1 drivers by changing the OS from Vista to 8.1 in the box labeled "Operating System".
speedstep
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
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47K Posts
1
June 22nd, 2015 08:00
There is no direct path to 8.1
Upgrades to 8.X require Vista SP1 and Vista SP2. You have to do the SP in order.
You would have to get a windows 7 Home upgrade or windows 8.0 home upgrade.
Once upgraded to 7.0 home SP1 or 8.0 home you would be able to directly upgrade to 8.1
If you get to 7 you will be able to bypass 8.x and go to 10 on July 29th.
Philip_Yip
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
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16K Posts
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June 22nd, 2015 15:00
Install Windows 10 Insider Build 10130 as you'll likely be able to upgrade to Windows 10 RTM for free from that build. Later builds out probably in a couple of days will introduce Microsoft Product Activation and lock out any chance of a free upgrade:
http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/download-microsoft-windows-and-office/download-microsoft-windows/download-windows-10-technical-preview-iso/
Windows 10 RTM is out on the 29th of July.
Swatika
4 Posts
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June 22nd, 2015 21:00
Thanks, Speedstep!
Swatika
4 Posts
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June 22nd, 2015 21:00
Thanks natakuc4!
Swatika
4 Posts
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June 22nd, 2015 21:00
Thanks, Brandon!