Posts by JerryM

Windows 8.1: Read this BEFORE updating - especially you, IT admins

Re: Warning for those updating

It also changes search defaults back to Bing, regardless of what they were before.

Re: advice to disconnect from internet before upgrading

It is possible to perform this upgrade, while connected to the internet, without creating an online account. They did a good job of hiding that fact, however.

The trick is to do it like this:

When it asks you for your current local account password, enter it.

Next it takes you to a screen where you can enter your Live account info to replace that account. Instead, look at the bottom, where it says "Don't have an account? Create one." Click on "Create one."

This takes you to a new page with a bunch of fields for your info on the new account. DON'T WASTE TIME TYPING ANYTHING HERE. Instead, scroll to the bottom again. There is another small link, which says "Continue using my existing account."

Click "Continue using my existing account" to avoid creating an online account. The setup will proceed.

(Notes: To the best of my knowledge, there's no way around the requirement to create one of those accounts before you install any "apps" from the windows store, so if you care about that may as well go ahead and create one.

Also, everything, even when it's in quotes, is typed from memory, since I already completed this process, so it's possible some of the titles are paraphrased or I'm forgetting about an "OK" screen, or something.)