Installing Windows 8.1 in Australia and UK

[Christian]

Hello everyone,

 

I recently read about Windows 8.1 and though- damn, i need this. So i went to download it for my Surface RT from the Microsoft download site: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/preview-download

 

 

And i got an error:

 

This annoyed me. A lot.

 

After some Googling around i found that it was an issue with my region. Although i am in Australia, the update is for US only even though i obviously speak English. So i tried this method (found it across quite a few different sites):

 

1. Place and rename the MSU file in an easily accessible place, e.g. C:\8preview\preview.msu

2. open command prompt in administrator mode.

3. Type: Expand –F:* c:\8preview\preview.msu C:\8preview\

4. Type: DISM.exe /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:c:\8preview\Windows8-RT-KB2849636-x64.cab

 

 

But that threw some errors at me after step 3. After a refresh AND a reset (arrghh) i had the same problem.

So i kept digging. Finally i came across this (http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windowsrt_1_pr-windows_install/windows-81-surface-rt-installer-says-not/26a0a816-a51b-4b3d-90dc-0ac02b71a2ee?page=4&msgId=6b0a82af-e4fd-4ef4-baa9-73589dc7f6b3):

 

1. Go to Control Panel>Clock, Language and Region>Language

(Can just search for "language" in settings / Win+w)

2. add new language, which is English (United States).

3. Go into the options of this new language and download and install the language pack. A system restart is prompted, BUT WAIT. Not just yet...

 

4. Go into the registry editor (run regedit,exe) and navigate toHKey_Local_Machine\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Nls\Language and change the "InstallLanguage" string at the very bottom of the right pane to the value 0409 which is EN-US.

 

(You can remember what it was originally if you want to change it back after installation)

 

Now reboot.

 

5. After reboot, just run the update file from preview.windows.com and voila...

 

 

And it worked!! So this should work with anyone trying to install RT 8.1 or just 8.1 on any device in AU and UK. Pretty stupid of MS to make it US only like that, but at least we found a fix.

 

Enjoy!

 

[arkon]

I believe it says there's issues with updating it via the Store if you have language packs installed and suggested using the ISO instead.

[Christian]

I believe it says there's issues with updating it via the Store if you have language packs installed and suggested using the ISO instead.

For RT devices you can't use the ISO. I had no problem installing it on my Surface RT via the Store.

[squirrl]

You can install with a UK OS now. (tried it out and it works fine)

[SubTract]

Its good you've found a way. However its going to suck when its finally released and you lose all of your stuff. :(