Acer W3 Straight to Windows 8.1 Fresh install...18.5 Gb free space on C: Next will be Windows 10.

Greywolf1967
Greywolf1967 Member Posts: 46 Enthusiast WiFi Icon

This is for people who have restored back to Original 8.0 and like me have had major issues.....I do not know if this works with newer versions of Windows, 8.1 and 10. I have not tested yet.

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 First all the warnings !!!!!!

Please note any information here can cause issues if you are unsure of what you are doing. It is "VERY IMPORTANT" you only make changes on your C: partition !!!!!!!!!!!! All other Partition sections are to be left as is !!!!!!

 If you change any other drive or format any other partition, you will cause yourself more trouble then you need !!!!!
Again, leave all other Partitions as they are....they are a life line back, should anything go wrong, so you can use your DVD media to restore to Factory 8.0

 Always have a fully charged battery, and the power cable in when starting ( a tip I learned to my cost a few years back with a phone on a ROM swap, Power went out mid install and battery was too low to carry the phone the rest of the way....long storry short.....phone became a lovely paper weight ).

 ***WARNING You assume all risk that comes with any changes you make to your Tablet. Be aware of the Risks, and do not attempt this if you have never done a full install or refresh***

List of things to have on hand before you start !!!!!!!!
USB OTG cable, 1 or 2 USB 4 port Hub (In my case 1 Powered and 1 Standard), USB Mouse and Keyboard. USB DVD Read/Writer Drive + Blank DVD, USB Thumb drive ( or SD Card + Reader).
 The latest Acer W3 driver package for Windows 8.1 ( many links here in other W3 restore topics or from Acer Support Site), download unzip and store on USB Thumb Drive or SD Card ( move the whole package to drive, do not take any folders away)
 Write down, screen cap, take a picture with your phone of your Product ID ( Windows 8.0 Key Original ) This is a safe thing to do any time, but should not be needed.

 Once you have everything you need you are ready to begin. Please note you will not have touch screen ability during this install and this is why you need a keyboard and mouse.

 Power down your W3 Tablet and  attach your OTG cable to your USB port of the W3, plug in your hub or hubs, plug in your Keyboard/Mouse and your USB DVD R/W. Power up your device and make sure everything works !!!!!

 Your first step will be to open Internet Explorer and obtain your free copy of Windows 8.1 ( yes free and yes fully legal, however Microsoft does not advertise this openly ), from this Microsoft Website........

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

 From the link on the page it will download an .exe file, run this and it gives you options to download your version of Windows 8.1....In my case English Win 8.1 32Bit x86 ( as the Acer W# came original with 32 Bit, I do not know if other versions work with your original Product ID).

 After downloading you have the option to make an .iso or bootable USB, I went with DVD as that is the way I went, if you pick Bootable USB....this is where you are on your own as the rest of the instructions are for DVD path.

 Once you have burned your DVD media ( please select verify media after burn process, always be safe ), leave your newly burnded Windows DVD in the drive and power down your tablet.

 Power up again, but on keyboard press F2 as the Acer Logo appears on screen, with mouse go into boot and move USB DVD to first boot. Exit save changes.

 Your Tablet will reboot and display "Press any key to boot from DVD" do so. It is a standard install, with one change when your get to the screen asking where to install, make sure you format C: first (C: being your main drive should list as over 27 Gb for size) Please make sure it is C: you have selected and click Format only once and let it do it's work ( will not take long at all).

 After you Format C: and set it as the drive to install sit back and let  Windows Install, this will not take long, and when it finishes it's install it will auto reboot for you. You again want to catch the Acer Logo on screen and press F2. With Mouse enter Boot, and set HDD (Windows Boot Manager), to main boot priorty. Exit Saving Changes again it will reboot.

 You will not have any Touch control at this point, but do not worry !!!!!! This is why you have Keyboard and Mouse !!!

 Allow install to finish, and when it asks, sign into/ create a local account ( you can convert this after to a Microsoft Account ), you will also notice during this setup process it does not ask for you to sign into WiFi....as your drivers are not in yet.

 Once you have made it to the Start Screen, before anything else you want to install all your drivers. So with your mouse open Desktop, and with File Explorer goto what ever storage media you saved the Acer driver package on ( USB Stick or SD Card).

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 As you open the Folder ( You do not want to dig to deep, as the First Level folder should have the Master Install .exe), The Intel Driver install will add all your drivers in one install ( Sound, Graphics, WiFi ect.). When it has done it's work you have one last Reboot, and you now have a much faster Tablet!!! Alot more space to work in and you should now have a smile !!!

Log into your WiFi

 Now is when you want to go into settings/users and convert the local account to a Microsoft Account. Then after go to Activate Windows and if you left the other drives untouched it should Activate automaticly as mine did....if you have to enter your Product Id....use the Key you wrote down/screen cap'd/Took a picture of.

 Enjoy

Answers

  • Cory-Acer
    Cory-Acer Administrator Posts: 1,449 Community Administrator

    Thanks for the write up, hopefully others who find this helpful will leave feedback.


    Cory

  • Greywolf1967
    Greywolf1967 Member Posts: 46 Enthusiast WiFi Icon

     The Windows 10 Install is even more painless !!!!! Gives you just as much space on C: ( after disk clean up and removal of old windows install via disk clean up )

     

     Also leaves you with a way to do a straight install of 10, should you blow out your system.

     

     When you open Internet Explorer, it is set by default to MSN.com (in my case MSN.ca as I am in Canada), and there will be an ad across the top below the address bar for your free Windows 10.

     

     A simple click starts you on your way.

     

     Even after installing all updates both system and Store, plus my games ( Hearthstone being the biggest) and apps, I have 13.5 Gb free, and a 32 GB MicroSd to put in for pictures and music and video.

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     The W3 seems to like Windows 10