If you’re one of those people still using Windows XP or Vista (which should be about 37.2% and 4.6% of all desktop PC users respectively according to recent figures) then Microsoft has stated that you will not be able to use an upgrade path to Windows 8.1. This means that OEMs and business will not have an easy time making the upgrade. These “upgrade scenarios” typically allow you to use Microsoft upgrade installation packages to help take you from your current OS to the latest one with minimal effort – and without the need for a long and drawn out clean install. Yet on XP and Vista this upgrade path to Windows 8.1 will not be supported, though on Windows 7 will be.
If business and enterprise Windows XP users weren’t reluctant enough already to make a Windows upgrade then I doubt this is going to help anything. So the bottom line is if you want to get going with Windows 8.1 then your only way is to upgrade to Windows 8 first as you can use the Windows 8 upgrade tool from XP and Vista, then when Windows 8.1 comes out you have to install that through the Windows store or a dedicated ISO which will be freely available if you’re a Windows 8 license holder.
Image courtesy of Microsoft
