windows 8 problem

[exseafarer]

Hi , I upgraded to windows 8 ,but had to use the reresh your pc option in windows 8 and it has taken all sony software out,any help in avoiding this in future would be appreciated. My computer is all in one VPCJ21M1E

[Blencogo · Accepted solution]

Hi exseafarer and welcome.

As you have found out, the Refresh option carries out a Clean Installation of Windows 8.  Although it retains and reinstalls Windows Settings, User Files and Apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store, it deletes everything else.  All your installed programs, Sony Software (Apps, Drivers & Utilities) will be deleted.

For the future, Sony support an upgrade to Windows 8 from Windows 7 for your model but the instructions need to be followed exactly.  Only a migration upgrade is supported and you must download the Upgrade Kit and install the VUforWin8Upg.exe BEFORE installing Windows 8.  This Upgrade Kit uninstalls incompatible programs before you install Windows 8 and installs all the required drivers, utilities and applications automatically by downloading these from Vaio Support after you have installed Windows 8.  You can also purchase a DVD that does this for you (but costs money and only speeds the process up if you have a slow internet connection).

Read the FAQs here: -

http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/topics/landing/windows_upgrade_offer#models_diff

Ignore it if it says your Vaio is not supported.  Go here, enter your model and Serial Number and download the Upgrade Kit and the instructions: -

https://ebiz3.mentormediacorp.com/sony/windows8/EU/index.aspx

[exseafarer]

Many thanks ,will be sure to leave refresh as a last resort in future:smileyhappy: just to add I ordered the dvd from sony and windows 8 from Microsoft, total was £32 seems a price worth paying

Message was edited by: exseafarer