How to Install and Upgrade Windows 8

Chapter summary

• Not all editions of Windows 8 support the features required in the workplace, such as Group Policy or BitLocker.

• No migration path exists between 32-bit a 64-bit Windows editions.

• Windows 8 allows you to upgrade from Windows XP while keeping your files and folders intact.

• The Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) can help you to determine the readiness of your software and hardware for Windows 8.

• You can manually set compatibility for older software.

• You can perform a clean installation of Windows 8, upgrade an existing installation, or migrate user data to a new Windows 8 computer.

• Only an upgrade from Windows 7 will permit migration of installed desktop software.

• You can create a custom or automated Windows 8 installation by downloading and installing the Windows 8 Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK) onto a technician computer.

• To automate much of the Windows 8 installation process, you can create an unattended answer file.

• You can use SysPrep, the System Preparation tool, to customize a Windows 8 default installation before an installation image is captured.

• You can use Windows To Go to provide users with mobile, USB-based Windows 8 installations.

• The Windows 8 ADK includes tools to aid the automation of Windows 8 product activation.

• You can migrate user accounts and files from one computer to another using either the Windows Easy Transfer tool or the User State Migration Tool (USMT).

• The ScanState command offers many more configurability options than Windows Easy Transfer (but requires some knowledge of XML).

• You can relocate user files to a server or central file store and still maintain access to them in Windows 8 libraries.