Upgrades from Win8 to Win8.1 preview and upgrade to Win8.1 Official edition will be a bit of a hassle.

Absrtact: Before the Windows 8.1 Preview was released, we had to remind you that it would be cumbersome to upgrade to the Win8.1 version after Win8 upgrade to Win8.1 Preview, which requires reinstalling the application. A few days ago, Microsoft has made a renewed statement in its official blog

Before the Windows 8.1 Preview was released, we had to remind you that it would be cumbersome to upgrade to the Win8.1 version from Win8 to the Win8.1 preview, requiring you to reinstall your application. Microsoft has made a renewed statement in its official blog.

Windows 8.1 Preview can be upgraded directly to the official version of Windows 8.1, but this upgrade process only retains the user data on the device, and all applications (from Windows store downloads or desktop applications) need to be reinstalled.

Data migrations during different upgrades:

-If your system is Windows 8, when you upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview, all data, settings, and applications will migrate (keep);

-If your system is Windows 8, all data, settings, and applications will be migrated (retained) when you upgrade to the official version of Windows 8.1;

If your system is a Windows 8.1 preview, only data will migrate with the system when you upgrade to the official version of Windows 8.1.

That is, the application you install must be reinstalled (even if the Windows 8.1 Preview is installed and then demoted to Windows 8 and migrated to the official version of Windows 8.1). On Windows RT devices, only metro applications downloaded from the Windows Store will need to be reinstalled, and on the x86 architecture, you will not only need to reinstall Metro applications, but also reinstall desktop software.

Also remind Windows 8 users that if you use ISO to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview, be sure to know where your Windows 8 product key is. Because, when you update the system from the preview to the Windows 8.1 official edition, you need to activate with the Windows 8 product key. (No product key required with Windows Store update)