*Official* Alienware Official Windows 8.1 support thread [Questions and Discussions Here]

For those that want a Windows 8.1 ISO for a clean install, the trick is to begin the Windows 8 download using your Windows 8 product key, wait until the downloading begins, then cancel out and immediately launch the Windows 8.1 download. The procedure works perfectly and the process is explained in greater detail here: Download Windows 8.1 Retail ISO | PHILIPYIP - WordPress

This makes a whole lot more sense that going through silly in-place upgrades.

 

Hi guys I'm a new member of the Alienware family. Mine came with a Windows 8. I have a dreamspark key for Windows 8 Pro after upgrading to which I thought I can get Windows 8.1. I now have a doubt if using that key will remove my Alienware OEM branding. Unfortunately I've already given a go on the update and now my system is restarting. I'm scared.

 

How did it go?

 

Here is some information that some may find very useful for Windows 8.1...

Obtaining your OEM BIOS Embedded SLP Product Key using RW-Everything

Installation of Windows 8.1 with a Windows 8.0 Product Key Notes

Product Activation Using a Windows 8.0 Product Key in Windows 8.1 via Change Key

 

FINALLY!!! Got Windows 8.1 back with FULL AERO and Windows 7 style like I had with Window 8. (Windows 8.1 broke several UI tweaks that I found mandatory for tasteful aesthetics with Windows 8 to avoid wanting to puke.)

Follow the instructions here if you're sick of the white-abusive pastel-colored Windows 8.1 vomit world: Aero 8.1 (Windows 8.1) by xXiNightXx *MUCH BETTER NOW*

Samples in spoiler is the theme included in the link above (not counting wallpaper, those are my own). Be sure to follow the directions.

Spoiler

 

+Rep Thanks for the info, Mr. Fox. This will be useful if I ever find a use for Windows 8 on my M18x again. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now I don't think it's worth the effort.

 

You're right. It's definitely NOT worth the extra effort. Windows 7 is still a better OS overall.

The best thing about Windows 8/8.1 is that it gives us something to hack/fix to satisfy that inner geek... "making a silk purse from a sow's ear" LOL. Plus, you can stick out your tongue at Micro$oft and say, " Look what I did to your crappy OS, boys! I made it work right and look better."

 

I can sympathize with that. It's fun to play with, but it sadly can get in the way when I need to get something done, lol. I bought it, so I may toss it and a distro of linux on an mSATA drive.

Perhaps I should apply some ICD and Liquid Ultra while I'm at it

 

I like tinkering with Linux, too. The UI for several distros have finally started to gain a polished look that rivals Widows and OSX in many ways. Mint is one of my favorite distros. It's a shame it is not as useful to me as Windows or I would switch.

Great idea!

Edit: Got it set up for Windows 8.1 on the M18xR2 now as well as the XPS desktop... much better visual experience with Aero transparency. It's looks just like my tweaks did with Windows 8 before Micro$oft broke everything a second time with 8.1.

Spoiler

 

Windows 8 designer: Why Microsoft forced Metro on us all | CNET News

Windows 8 UX designer on Metro: "It is the antithesis of a power user" | Neowin

I wholeheartedly agree with the title of the second article, but it seems they are trying to spin it a little bit to make it easier to swallow.

I have a difficult time buying the rationale offered for releasing such a lousy OS. I am not saying Miller is lying--I think he believes what he says whether it is accurate or not--but the developers have had plenty of time to invent reasons (perhaps excuses) for the Modern UI. It was a very "Steve Jobs" move for them to presume they know what it best for consumers instead of actually listening to the voices of consumers. By Miller's own explanation they fixed something that was not broken, or presumed to address a problem that did not really exist.

Understanding there is small but extraordinarily technology challenged segment out there, I do not remember ever hearing a casual (a "normal" as in not inordinately challenged) user complain that earlier versions of Windows were complex to use. Managing anything based on the incompetence of the lowest common denominator is a plan destined for struggle or failure.

There are literally thousands of apps, utilities, hacks, tweaks and forum discussions focusing on the simple mission of undoing the mess called the Modern UI and making Windows 8/8.1 look, feel and act more like Windows 7. I think they are out of touch with consumers in general and probably cherry-picked some advocates that wanted something new and different to be their poster children. I am not seeing the advocates coming out of the woodwork in large numbers yet... anecdotally, it seems the masses still fall somewhere between indifferent or ho-hum to insensed.

The part that still remains a mystery is why Windows 8 cripples CPU performance. In every benchmark test relating to CPU performance Windows 8/8.1 lags behind Windows 7. The OS gives an impression of snappiness because they stripped out some GUI overhead to accommodate anemic devices with low specs that want to run Windows, but when you start measuring it comes up short in just about every performance test I have used.

Modern UI atrocities aside, we are still fortunate to have the desktop and don't need to feel compelled to use the tiled mess. If nothing else we can criticize the bland if not tacky tastes of Windows 8/8.1 developers and the draconian limitations they put in place to inhibit user correction of their nauseating over-use of white and pastel colors. After sufficient effort, I had beaten Windows 8 into submission on this front. Then Windows 8.1 broke a number of aesthetic enhancements. As shown in the previous post, I finally got things back the way they belong with colors and transparencies. Let's see how long it takes for Micro$oft to mess it up again.

 

Hello i got alienware 18r2 with killer 1103 and after update to windows 8.1 i got random restarts before update i never got any i even done clean reinstall still the same it wont happening when im doing something just when i left computer for couple hours never happen when i play games or watching movies i think its connected with killer wifi and win 8.1 drivers thats got loads of issue i tried 3 others memory still the same anyone got some simillary issue after update to win 8.1?

 

Windows 8 versus Windows 7 Result Comparison

 

got around to installing 8.1 along with the classic shell start menu app....really need that

but so far it's all good

EDIT: tried playing titanfall and it kept crashing - turns out it was the intel gpu messing with it so i switched to the nvidia gpu using the function keys and it's fine.

so far win 8,1 hasn't really disappointed me....so far.

 

Well, I tried downloading and getting the 8.1 pro iso, with no luck. Apparently they 'locked out' the generic keys for the download, but instead of telling you that, they say 'no internet connection' or some message to that extent. The only way at this point I know of, to get the 8.1 pro ISO is through 'questionable' websites unless someone has another source...

With that being said, installing 8 clean, installing LAN/Wireless drivers, then UPGRADING to 'service pack' 8.1 then installing all other drivers, programs, etc... isn't that kinda like doing a clean install of 8.1?

 

Hey Brother Turmoil, as you discovered, that method does not work any more. I ran into the same problem. This method does work for an ISO download, or at least it did for me. Let me know if it works well for you, too. Simply follow the steps shown in the screen shot guide and it will stop that error about not being connected to the internet.

Philip Yip's Unofficial Guides - Download Windows 8.1 Retail ISO

To answer your question, no, I do not see a clean install of Windows 8 that is later upgraded to Windows 8.1 being the same. Many have found that the in-place upgrade works fine, but some have had problems with it. Best to get the ISO and do it right. This has always been true about Windows upgrades... always best to clean install the version you want whenever possible versus doing an in-place upgrade.

This may also be useful to some folks: Philip Yip's Unofficial Guides - Product Activation Using a Windows 8.0 Product Key in Windows 8.1 via Change Key

Philp Yip is a Rockstar in Dell Community and really knows his stuff on this Windows 8 crap. If it works well for you, be sure to let him know how much it's appreciated.

 

I was able to download the official ISO via 'alternate' means. Its currently downloading but I'll check the SHA-1 just to be safe before I clean install.

 

It's idiotic that Micro$lop is all chapped about low adoption rates for Windows 8/8.1, yet they make it a gigantic pain in the gluteus maximus get your hands on installation media. They're too stupid to recognize that their approach to the situation is the driving force behind unauthorized distribution. The "approved" way for most users is install Windows 7 > install Window 8 Upgrade > install a ton of Windows Updates > download from Windows Store > do a "dirty" install of Windows 8 SP1 (8.1).
Really? :wub:

 

As they say, "if you want something to be done right, do it yourself."

[parsehtml]<iframe width='853' height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qrmGq9uVdSE?rel=0" frameborder='0' allowfullscreen></iframe>[/parsehtml]

 

Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection, faster/performance, better protection and default win shell integration, more configurable options than defender. "Network Behavior Monitoring" service integrates with win firewall to detect infiltrations (optimized service defender v4-4-0304-0)
Win 8.1 update 1 defender v4-4-0304-0
SCEP v4-5-216-0 MS Security Essentials v4-5-0216-0 KB2949787 x64 x32 Standalone Incremental Update
I normally don't use any anti-virus...basically they are all useless even more signature based, common sense is still the best anti-virus + (Sandboxie) but the optimized network Behavior Monitoring is best feature the remaining fall into the same category, performance impact is the lowest compared to defender v4-4-0304-0 which is pretty good.

 

I'll just put this right here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-1-update-1-having-issues-your-alienware.html

If anyone is having trouble with AeroGlass for Windows 8.1...

 

Hopefully someone can help me out here on what my next step should be. I have a win 8 pro recovery media from Dell. I never got the coa and now trying to activate it after install but not letting me. My current aw 17 didn't come with win 8. Is the issue related to the motherboard not being equipped with a coa key? Some insight would be appreciated.

 

There is no COA with Windows 8. Dell sold you Windows 8 recovery media in error if your system shipped with Windows 7. They are not supposed to do that and the only way to get a product key is to buy one from Micro$haft or get one with a new system with Windows 8 pre-installed. (When you buy a new Alienware with Windows 8 pre-installed you typically get a card with the key in a protective plastic sleeve and no recovery media unless you request it. The intent of Micro$haft appears to be (based on how difficult and extremely convoluted they have made it) for all customers to make their own recovery media instead of having proper media to do a true clean installation.

When I do a clean install of Windows 8.1.0 or 8.1.1 I have to use a generic key at first, then add my own legit key. Doing this, it refuses to activate online using my purchased Windows 8 product key. I have to activate by phone and read off the blocks of numbers and then input the code provided by the automated attendant. You will need to use an admin cmd prompt with the slui.exe -ipk + product key to change from the generic key to your legit key before attempting activation.

 

For those looking to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 and running into trouble with the Windows 8 product key or other nonsense, please view this post by Philip Yip in Dell Community. Mr. Yip is a very sharp fellow and has tons of useful information and tips for fixing things with Windows that Micro$haft has screwed up.

 

I'm sharing this here because sometimes the noise of the fan boys gets in the way of making decisions based on facts.

 

It's good to see these results. I was one of those that thought Windows 8/8.1 performed better, and it still may with older hardware, but with current hardware there is no difference. It's very refreshing to have hard evidence and facts.

Sent from Tapatalk from an increasingly expensive smartphone

 

Or, you could just do a simple registry tweak and keep using a fully patched Windows XP. Windows XP hack resurrects patches for retired OS | Computerworld

If nothing else this reinforces the belief of many that there is nothing inherently wrong with Windows XP other than the operating system is still good enough for it to interfere with the sale of Micro$haft's newer operating systems.

I'm not using XP on anything, but I am glad this came to light for those that still want to. If I were still using an older machine that worked OK but was worth less than the cost of legally acquiring Windows 7/8 I would definitely be doing this instead of spending time and money on the OS upgrade. LOL, this was too easy.

Read the instructions here.

 

Great thread and links. I just ordered me an AW15 and since i hate the pre.installed OS i always wipe clean everything and partition the way i want before i do a clean install. Typically i make USB drive installation so i will revisit this thread once i get my laptop to dust of my old knowledge i do have access to msdn iso files so that will help
Sadly with my AW i get the swedish version of Window and i really hate it, i'm used to english version and refuse to use anything else. I wonder if the key they provide me will still work with an english version.

 

It went well, the OEM branding was not removed.

 

I am currently experiencing audio crackling in my laptop's inbuilt speakers(aw 15 ),its only certain audio frequencies which crackle (like 2-5%)
Tried reinstalling audio drivers ,still the same issue.
While surfing the net for speaker checking audio files. I came across this
www.audiocheck.net to check my speakers left/right positional sound
i checked my speakers with the left and right audio file. Turns out the right speaker gains extra volume than the left one. Used recon3di panel to reduce the right speaker to 60%, both speakers now emit same volume and the crackling issue is gone.
Are my speakers defective or is this common for all AW 15 users or does this require a "proper" fix from alienware??