Win8.1 preview upgrade to the official version needs to reinstall the application

Before the release of Windows 8.1 preview, we reminded everyone: upgrade from Win8 to Win8.1 preview and then upgrade to Win8.1 official version need to be reinstalled application. A few days ago, Microsoft made a restatement on the official blog.

Windows 8.1 Preview can be upgraded directly to Windows 8.1 official version, but this upgrade process only retains user data on the device, all applications (download from Windows Store or desktop applications) need to be reinstalled.

Data migration during different upgrades:

If the system is Windows 8, all data, settings, and applications will be migrated when you upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview (reserved );

If the system is Windows 8, all data, settings, and applications will be migrated (reserved) when upgrading to the official version of Windows 8.1;

If the system is Windows 8.1 In the preview version, when upgrading to the official version of Windows 8.1, only data will be migrated with the system.

That is to say, the application you installed must be reinstalled (even if you re-downgrade to Windows 8 and then migrate to Windows 8.1 official version after installing Windows 8.1 Preview). On Windows RT devices, only Metro applications downloaded and installed from the Windows Store need to be reinstalled. On x86 architecture devices, you not only need to reinstall the Metro application, but also reinstall the desktop software.

Also, remind Windows 8 users that if you use ISO to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Preview, you must know where your Windows 8 product key is. Because, when you update the system from the preview version to the official version of Windows 8.1, you need to use the Windows 8 product key for activation. (The product key is not required for Windows Store updates).