Step-by-Step Windows 8 Upgrade Instructions

Systems that are currently running Windows 7 can be upgraded to Windows 8. Systems that have been downgraded to Windows XP Professional must use the Custom Install option. A Custom install replaces the current operating system but does not preserve software application, data or settings.
Not all application or operating system features supported by Windows 7 are supported by Windows 8. Before upgrading your Windows 7 PC it is important to know what devices and applications you are using today that will require updates or replacement.
For a complete assessment of your Windows 7 PC and the applications in use click on this link and download the Windows Upgrade Assistant tool. This up-to-date assessment tool will scan your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices and installed programs and recommends what to do before you upgrade.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/en-us/CompatCenter/Home

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR BACKING UP YOUR FILES AND UPGRADING FROM WINDOWS 7 TO WINDOWS 8.
BACKING UP YOUR FILES

1. Obtain a large USB or external hard drive on which to transfer and store all of your files and settings.
2. Plug in the external hard drive.
3. Launch Windows Easy Transfer:
   Click Start › All Programs › Accessories › System Tools › Windows Easy Transfer.
4. At the Welcome to Windows Easy Transfer screen, click Next.
5. You may be prompted to close certain applications before proceeding.
6. If prompted, choose to start a new backup.
7. You may be asked if this is the new or old PC. Choose old PC.
8. At the Choose how to transfer files and program settings screen, select External hard disk or to a network location.
9. At the Choose network location screen, enter the path to the USB drive.
10. Set a password if desired.
11. Click Next.
12. At the What do you want to transfer to your new computer? screen, select All user accounts, files, and settings.
13. At the Review selected files and settings screen, make changes if necessary, then click Transfer.
14. After the migration file is created, verify that it has been saved to your USB drive or network share.
15. Disconnect the USB Drive, and proceed with the Windows 8 installation process.

INSTALLING THE UPGRADE:

1. Turn on the PC.
2. If your Windows 8 upgrade was supplied on a DVD, go on to step 3. If your Windows upgrade was supplied as a download, follow the onscreen instruction for creating a DVD or Bootable USB Flash drive.
3. Insert the Windows 8 DVD into your DVD or plug the Bootable Windows 8 USB Flash drive into an available USB port.
4. If the install window does not open automatically, double-click setup.exe from the DVD.
5. Click Install Now.
6. Follow the instructions on screen.
7. When you reach the Windows Setup screen you will be given two options: Upgrade (install Windows and keeps file settings and compatible apps.) Custom (install Windows only) Select Upgrade.
8. Select other options as appropriate.
9. Do not restart or shut down your computer until the upgrade process has completed!
10. After the installation is complete, run Windows Update to obtain the latest Windows updates, and other updates as needed.
11. Plug in the external hard drive or other device you backed your files up to.
12. Run the Windows Easy Transfer wizard to restore your backed up files.

CUSTOM INSTALL (Clean install of the OS):

1. Turn on the PC.
2. If your Windows 8 upgrade was supplied on a DVD, go on to step 3. If your Windows upgrade was supplied as a download, follow the onscreen instruction for creating a DVD or Bootable USB Flash drive.
3. Insert the Windows 8 DVD into your DVD or plug the Bootable Windows 8 USB Flash drive into an available USB port.
4. If the install window does not open automatically, double-click setup.exe from the DVD.
5. Click Install Now.
6. Follow the instructions on screen.
7. When you reach the Windows Setup screen you will be given two options: Upgrade (install Windows and keeps files settings and compatible apps.) Custom (install Windows only) Select Custom
8. The next screen will give you drive options, you may choose to install Windows 8 in an available drive partition or select advanced drive options, delete the existing partitions and do a clean install on the unformatted drive.
9. Do not restart or shut down your computer until the upgrade process has completed!
10. After the installation is complete, run Windows Update to obtain the latest Windows updates, and other updates as needed.
11. Plug in the external hard drive or other device you backed your files up to.