Windows 8.1 Site Upgrade, every machine must download separately is unconscionable (as well as just plain STUPID)

Okay, this is RIDICULOUS!

I have five computers running Windows 8 Pro in my office.

IS THERE A WAY TO COPY THE DOWNLOADED UPGRADE TO MY OTHER MACHINES; OR, CREATE A USB STICK UPGRADE, AFTER DOWNLOADING THE UPGRADE ON THE FIRST MACHINE?

This is all I want to know.

I have a 10GB monthly download limit (we normally only use about 40% of that, there's no reason to pay for more download). In Australia ALL INTERNET is METERED.

This means that it is technically impossible for me to upgrade my systems to Windows 8.1, which I'd really like to do, without using nearly double my download limit. Which means ADSL shaping or an overage bill of hundreds of dollars. So much for the "FREE" upgrade to Windows 8.1.

It is unconscionable and unreasonable for Microsoft to expect that everyone in the bleeding world has unlimited Internet download. It's the same in the UK and many other countries where near monopolies (TELSTRA) control download limits.

My only option, because I can't just download a single file and copy it to every machine, is to upgrade one or maybe two machines each month. Because all the computers connect to each other with application services, I am loathe to upgrade any machine without upgrading all of them as it is likely to cause horrendous interoperability issues.

As many other users have pointed out, Microsoft must also serve all these multiple copies of the exact same upgrades, which means all their servers are overwrought as well.

As well, it is not feasible for me so learn the Microsoft "Manage, Deploy, Rotate, Scream" internal method for only five machines. We have actual work to do, and it just doesn't make sense that we can't download a single upgrade file and share it between the computers.

There are heaps of these complaints around and the answers are usually different and most incomprehensible unless you were born at a $7K Macrosmurf seminar.

Apple provide an easy tool to create a USB upgrade key for all your other machines once you upgrade one. Once again Microsoft is WAY BEHIND THE CURVE.

January 29th, 2014 11:12pm

This article implies you can get an ISO file (which implies you can make your own disc) during the upgrade...

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only

I haven't gone through it myself - I moved straight from Windows 7 to 8.1, and bought a Win 8.1 Pro DVD.  Seemed silly to me to try to move forward without a bootable Windows disc.

 

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January 30th, 2014 1:21am

This apparently works:
http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-download-windows-81-iso-windows-8-product-key
January 30th, 2014 3:10am

I agree with you 100%! I manage about 20 windows 8 OEM machines ranging from tablets to desktops.  This way of 'upgrading' to 8.1 is by far the WORST decision MS has ever made.  This download the ISO trick does NOT work on OEM machines since you do not have access to your original Windows 8 product key (it's burned into the bios/cmos).  You can retrieve your product key via software, but it does not work with the 8.1 upgrade ISO.  There should be a way for IT professionals to upgrade en masse even if they purchased their licensing through the OEM.

On top of this, if any of these machines' HD's ever fail or need to be refreshed you have to start all over again.  Ridiculous.

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March 3rd, 2014 10:59am

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