Windows Update for Windows 8.1?

[David]

Reviving this laptop - not used since 2020 as far as I can tell.

I am trying to Windows Update but it doesn't seem to want to download
anything.
Is this normal for Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Cheers


Dave R

[Andy Burns]

Post by David
Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Yes, ended over a year ago.

[David]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by David
Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Yes, ended over a year ago.

I checked and the system hadn't checked for updates since 2020.
I thought it was a current list!

Left it looking for updates overnight and it has found some.
Left the update running and I'll see how it goes.

I would like to get it up to date as possible, then install W10
(previously installed as free upgrade then rolled back to W8.1).

Cheers



Dave R

[David]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by David
Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Yes, ended over a year ago.

I checked and the system hadn't checked for updates since 2020. I
thought it was a current list!
Left it looking for updates overnight and it has found some. Left the
update running and I'll see how it goes.
I would like to get it up to date as possible, then install W10
(previously installed as free upgrade then rolled back to W8.1).

Now updated to W10 which was slow but straightforward.
The W8.1 updates came through eventually.
Then I just ran the W10 installer off a USB stick within a running W8.1
and it updated in situ and kept all my files and settings.

Minor glitch because it didn't like the mouse - a Kensington optical mouse
- which worked with W8.1 but my trusty M570 wireless ball mouse seems fine.

I had to reinstall Classic Shell.

That's about it.
Damn this laptop is slow, though.
However it will tide me through until I managed to source a replacement
laptop.

Cheers



Dave R

[Jaimie Vandenbergh]

Post by David

Post by Andy Burns

Post by David
Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Yes, ended over a year ago.

I checked and the system hadn't checked for updates since 2020.
I thought it was a current list!
Left it looking for updates overnight and it has found some.
Left the update running and I'll see how it goes.
I would like to get it up to date as possible, then install W10

In case you have to go this route again, installing the updates to Win8
is an unnecessary step, the whole of it is replaced with the Win10
update.

If at all possible (next time) instead of win8->win10 just burn a Win10
install USB stick and use that to reformat the HDD and install.

Cheers - Jaimie

[David]

Post by Jaimie Vandenbergh

Post by David

Post by Andy Burns

Post by David
Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Yes, ended over a year ago.

I checked and the system hadn't checked for updates since 2020.
I thought it was a current list!
Left it looking for updates overnight and it has found some. Left the
update running and I'll see how it goes.
I would like to get it up to date as possible, then install W10

In case you have to go this route again, installing the updates to Win8
is an unnecessary step, the whole of it is replaced with the Win10
update.
If at all possible (next time) instead of win8->win10 just burn a Win10
install USB stick and use that to reformat the HDD and install.
Cheers - Jaimie

That will, of course, destroy all my setting and applications on the W8.1
system.
Which is why I chose to do an in-system upgrade instead of a wipe.

I did the upgrades first in case I had to fall back to W8.1.
I wanted a fully working and up to date system as a base for the upgrade
and potential fall back.

Cheers



Dave R

[Jaimie Vandenbergh]

Post by David
That will, of course, destroy all my setting and applications on the W8.1
system.

This is still generally a benefit more than a downside, as long as you
have your backups for the actual docs and such.

Cheers - Jaimie

[Jeff Gaines]

Post by David
Reviving this laptop - not used since 2020 as far as I can tell.
I am trying to Windows Update but it doesn't seem to want to download
anything.
Is this normal for Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?
Cheers
Dave R

I did a recent install of Win 8 and updates took forever but it seemed to
be happy to provide updates that existed before support stopped.

[GB]

Post by David
Reviving this laptop - not used since 2020 as far as I can tell.
I am trying to Windows Update but it doesn't seem to want to download
anything.
Is this normal for Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Perhaps do a W10 install?

Post by David
Cheers
Dave R

[Andy Burns]

Post by GB

Post by David
Is this normal for Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Perhaps do a W10 install?

You'll be back in the same boat in about 19 months, maybe consider Win11?

[Chris]

Post by Andy Burns

Post by GB

Post by David
Is this normal for Windows 8.1 now it is out of support?

Perhaps do a W10 install?

You'll be back in the same boat in about 19 months, maybe consider Win11?

A machine that old won't be compatible with Win11.