If you can't install the Windows 8 Preview (with fix)

Software & Apps Windows 8 and Windows 10 (Archive)
#1

If you are unable to install the Windows 8 preview then here are some possible reasons:

[ul]
[li]You are using Windows 8 Enterprise, you won’t be able to install then. Microsoft will release ISO files later.
[/li][li]The language of your Windows 8 installation is not among the 13 initial supported languages.
[/li]
[li]For 64-bit installations of Windows 8.1 Preview, your CPU must also support CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW and LAHF/SAHF.
[/li][/ul]

Possible fix:

lace and rename the MSU file in an easily accessible place, e.g. C:\8preview\preview.msu
2. open command prompt in administrator mode.
3. Type: Expand –F:* c:\8preview\preview.msu C:\8preview
4. Type: DISM.exe /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:\8preview\Windows8-RT-KB2849636-x64.cab

Replace the “x64.cab” on the end of step 4 with -x86.cab" for 32-bit versions and “-arm.cab” for RT versions.

Your text will be corrupted in the Windows 8 store for the 8.1 download page on restart, but the Windows 8.1 preview should download once the servers become less overloaded.

#2

You should be aware that if you install the 8.1 preview, you won’t be able to upgrade to the release version later without a full re-install of the operating system and all your programs.

The one exception that Microsoft has given is if you using Windows RT 8.1. Windows RT users cannot revert back to the original operating system after installing 8.1, but can update to the full release when it comes out.

Therefore, if you just want to try out 8.1, you should run it in a VM.

#3

[QUOTE=Kerry56;2691508]You should be aware that if you install the 8.1 preview, you won’t be able to upgrade to the release version later without a full re-install of the operating system and all your programs.

The one exception that Microsoft has given is if you using Windows RT 8.1. Windows RT users cannot revert back to the original operating system after installing 8.1, but can update to the full release when it comes out.

Therefore, if you just want to try out 8.1, you should run it in a VM.[/QUOTE]
I registered to this forum just to let you know that actually you CAN upgrade from Windows 8.1 Preview to the final release when it does come out. According to the Windows 8.1 Preview FAQ at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview-faq:

“Additionally, you’ll also need your Windows 8 product key when you update to the final edition of Windows 8.1 from the preview.”

That implies there will be an update from the preview version to the final edition.

#4

Of course, the question “Why would someone WANT to do upgrades, leaving all kinds of old-OS droppings behind?” isn’t addressed.