New installation of Windows 8.1 on ThinkCentre and thinkstation desktop computers

Operation Steps:

This document provides instructions on how to install a new Microsoft (R) Windows 8.1 operating system on ThinkCentre (R) and Thinkstation (r) desktop computers. Please note that Lenovo (R) does not guarantee that each of the features and actions described in Lenovo or Microsoft documentation is valid and unlimited. Your computer requires some specific computer utilities or device drivers to function correctly. These utilities or device drivers may vary depending on the computer model. Please download and prepare these programs after installation. Please go to Lenovo support Web site Http://www.lenovo.com/support for these specific utilities and device drivers.

Preparing for a new installation of Windows 8.1

Before you install Windows 8.1 completely, make sure that you follow these considerations:

§ Ensure that the system BIOS has been updated. Otherwise, Windows 8.1 may not function correctly. Please visit Lenovo support Web site http://www.lenovo.com/support to download and install the latest BIOS for your system.

§ Make sure that the files and data on your computer are backed up to an external storage device, such as an external hard disk drive, a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, or a networked storage device.

New Installation of Windows 8.1

To install Windows 8.1 completely, do the following:

1. Do one of the following:

§ Insert the Windows 8.1 installation DVD into the optical drive, and then start the computer from the DVD.

§ Connect the Windows 8.1 installation USB flash drive to the computer, and then start the computer from the USB flash drive.

Then, you start the Windows installation initialization.

1. When prompted, configure the options displayed on the screen, such as the time and currency format, as well as the keyboard or input method. And then click Next.

2. Click Install Now.

3. When prompted for the Windows 8.1 product key, enter a 25-character Windows 8.1 product key. And then click Next.

4. In the License Terms window, read the license terms carefully. If you have any questions, please contact Microsoft for clarification. If you agree, click I accept the license terms, and then click Accept to continue.

Note: You must agree to the license terms to continue.

1. "What type of installation do you want?" appears. window, click Customize: Install Windows only (advanced).

2. Show "Where do you want to install Windows?" window, select the partition to which you want to install Windows 8.1.

Note:

§ If you want to create, format, or delete a partition, follow the onscreen instructions.

§ For some thinkstation computer models with SAS hard drives, you need to download the storage controller drivers required for your computer from the following Lenovo support Web sites: Http://www.lenovo.com/support. Save the driver to a USB storage device in advance. Connect the USB storage device to your computer, click Load Driver, and then follow the instructions on the screen to load the driver.

1. Click Next to start the installation. During the installation process, the computer will automatically restart several times.

2. When the personalization window is displayed, select one of your favorite colors and type the computer name. And then click Next.

3. When the Settings window is displayed, click Use Quick settings to use Quick Settings, or click Customize to customize the settings.

4. When the log on to Computer window appears, follow the onscreen instructions to set the user name and password, and then click Finish. After you play a demo animation, you'll be signed in and you'll see the start screen for Windows 8.1.

5. Download and install ThinkVantage (R) System Update 5.03 or later from Lenovo support Web site Http://www.lenovo.com/support to install Windows 8.1-compatible Device drivers and utilities.

6. Visit the Windows store to obtain and install the Lenovo application by searching for Lenovo.

Trademark

Lenovo, ThinkCentre, Thinkstation and ThinkVantage are trademarks of Lenovo in the United States and/or other countries or regions.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation Group.

Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of other companies.