Update: I’m updating this post after successful upgrade of Windows 8 enterprise to Windows 8.1 enterprise. If you are using Windows 8 enterprise version at home, you would be in slight trouble now, because you can’t upgrade it to Windows 8.1 by Windows store or control panel or even by the publicly available Windows 8.1 enterprise ISO from Microsoft site. Windows 8 enterprise can be upgraded only by the medium you download from Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Mostly only EA business customers of Microsoft have access for VLSC.
It’s very rare and special case that someone will have Windows 8 enterprise version on home computers.
Note: If you think you are smart enough ( like me) to upgrade existing Win 8 enterprise with 8.1 ISO which is available as 90 days trials, sorry that will not work. I tried this method on a virtual machine, it installed as a new Operating System, and even I could not used the old OS, because It moved the all of my files and system files to Windows.old folder.
Microsoft clearly says the reason as below why normal update is not possible by Windows store.
How to Update Windows 8 Enterprise to Windows 8.1 Enterprise
1) Download the ISO from Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). Make sure to download correct 32 bit or 64 bit matching your existing OS version.
2) Create a DVD or USB (bootable).
3) Once you have executed the installation, it will start preparing the files.
4) Next screen is to download the latest updates from Microsoft site while installing.
5) This step is very important. Obviously we do not need to lose any existing data, programs and Windows settings. So, select the first option.
As mentioned earlier, if you try this update with normal Windows 8.1 enterprise ISO which is available for public, you will get only ‘Nothing’ option, which will be considered as a fresh installation.
6) Installation will start smoothly.
7) Once installation has completed, you will go through customizing Windows ( I like to use express settings option).
8.) Good thing, it did not ask me to login or create online Microsoft account. It picked up my old Windows 8 local user account.
9) For some strange reasons, even after I entered my local user account credential, it showed below error related to setting up online Microsoft account. I did not bother as I do not want to login with online user account which will create another new user profile.
10) After settings up and configuring apps and other settings, you will get the upgraded Windows 8.1 enterprise desktop. It will keep your files, settings and same profile.
Final Words
So, updating Windows 8 enterprise to Windows 8.1 enterprise is very easy and straight forward. But, this can be done only by the medium you download from Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
If you are using Windows 8 enterprise in business organization, then your IT department may deploy the update across the organization by using Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2013 or System Center 2012 R2 Configuration Manager
Download Windows 8.1 Enterprise
If you like to try Windows 8.1 enterprise version separately, you can download a 90 days trial version from Microsoft site here.
Sysprobs already published a guide about how to install Windows 8.1 on VirtualBox as virtual machine.
Otávio says
Thank you, I’m wating for a solution!
gianni says
me too!
Dinesh says
@Otávio & @gianni,
I have update this post. Unfortunately, this upgrade is possible by the ISO you download from Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).
Try to get the ISO from the people where you got Win 8 enterprise.
Or wait for sometime, till some one finds workaround for this.
Wrda says
So, it cannot be upgraded from 8.1 Ent. ISO file? It is only for clean install?
OK, waiting for solution also
Dinesh says
@Wrda,
No, you can’t update with normal Win 8.1 enterprise ISO. It moves all of your old OS files and keeps in windows.old folder.
The solution as of now is to get ISO from Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) if you can
ugo says
is this the iso:
RELEASE DATE: 10/17/2013
RTM BUILD: 6.3.9600.16384.WINBLUE_RTM.130821-1623
ROLLUP UPDATE BUILD: 9600.16404.WINBLUE_GDR.130913-2141
FILE: en_windows_8_1_enterprise_x64_dvd_2971902.iso
SIZE: 3,853,993,984 byte
SHA-1: AE792B2EF982DAC7391224B624EAB8D6340D78AB
MD5: 8E194185FCCE4EA737F274EE9005DDF0
CRC: 8C56C9E2
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2883200/
Hugo says
This was a question: is this the right ISO?
Otávio says
Hugo,
I think this is the ISO we are looking for…
Can anyone confirm?
Hugo says
no, it’s wrong, it can update only to a new system…
Otávio says
Hey, I found an ISO which gives me the option:
“Keep windows settings, personal files, and apps”
Dinesh, this option doesn’t create windows.old, does it?
Is that the right update ISO?
The iso file is: pt_windows_8_1_enterprise_x64_dvd_2972038.iso
Thank you.
hanilton says
gostaria de obter Windows 8.1 eu já tenho Windows 8
Dinesh says
@Otávio, if you get the option, mostly you got the correct ISO. I’m sure it will not create windows.old.
Good luck and update here your result.
Otávio says
Hi guys, I did my update, normally.
Thank you for this post informing about the right ISO.
Hugo says
But this Iso is in Portuguese!
Otávio says
Yeah, it is, but you can download the language pack and set your country later going to charm bar, settings, change computer settings, language & date…, download the language you want and set your country! easy!
hugo says
But did you update from an English original version?
Otávio says
Yes!
Hugo says
obrigado !
Nargg says
Go do Microsoft download center and search for KB2883200
sofi says
i got this in portuguese language , is it the right option or no ? ” manter somente meus arquivos pessoais “
cheka says
it says “keep only my personal files”
Marek says
Hey
How do I can find the iso file ?
I have Winows 8 Enterprise 64 bit (original CD KEY)
please help me how do i can find those update?