Is it safe for me to upgrade from Windows 7 to 8.1 on my iMac (9,1), running BootCamp 5.0.5033?

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Is it safe for me to upgrade from Windows 7 to 8.1 on my iMac (9,1), running BootCamp 5.0.5033?

I've been running Windows 7 for quite some time, but my school is offering 8.1 keys for free. I did some research and found that 7 to 8.1 does not allow you to keep files, programs, and settings, though 7 to 8 and then 8 to 8.1 does. However, this llooks like a way around that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZQmVeoOaoA

But then I have the question of whether or not the upgrade, in conjunction with the drivers I have installed, is going to work smoothly. I did try and get the latest 5.1 drivers for Boot Camp, but I got an error saying it wasnt intended for my computer model (despite the fact that I habe 5.0 drivers installed). Will that be a problem at all?

Any help is appreciated - thanks 🙂

iMac, Windows 7

Posted on Feb 19, 2015 11:54 AM

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Answer 1

Japib

Level 4

2,843 points

Feb 19, 2015 11:59 AM in response to Jezza72

If there is going to be a problem, it's going to come from Windows, not from BootCamp. However, if you want a 100% success rate, I suggest you backup all Windows usefull files, and restart a fresh Bootcamp with windows 8.1.

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 19, 2015 12:00 PM in response to Jezza72

Please see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems - Apple Support if your Mac supports W8.1 and will it support 64-bit or not.

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Answer 3

Jezza72 Author

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Feb 19, 2015 12:04 PM in response to Loner T

Well, I'm a bit confused by it, because my 24-inch from 2009 says it only supports W7 32-bit (BootCamp v4), yet I've been running Windows 7 64-bit the whole time, plus I have BootCamp 5.0.533, so I'm not sure how accurate and helpful that table really is to me :/

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 19, 2015 12:13 PM in response to Jezza72

Apple does not provide drivers for the 2009 iMac which support Apple-specific hardware. W7 may use Windows drivers or the hardware manufacturers may supply a Windows driver. Was the W7 an upgrade from a previous version of Windows? You can still run W7 64-bit using 32-bit drivers. If any of your Apple HW does not work in W8+, you will need to find drivers that come from someone other than Apple. I would make a good backup of W7 before W8+ is attempted.

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Answer 5

Jezza72 Author

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Feb 19, 2015 12:33 PM in response to Loner T

Oh ok, that makes a bit of sense then :) Well, the only apple hardware that I can think of that would potentially need driver support in W8 could be for sound? But I mean, if it worked in W7, then surely it will work in 8. My keyboard and mouse aren't Apple, they're Corsair, so that shouldn't be an issue. My Headset is a Turtle Beach one and I think that uses Realtek sound drivers? I will probably back up some/all of my files to an external HD before doing it, but I guess I should just go ahead with it at this stage?

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Answer 6

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 19, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Jezza72

Find out the versions and manufacturers of your current drivers, before you upgrade. Find W8+ drivers (32-bit or 64-bit) as appropriate and collect them on a USB2 flash drive, that you can install. GPU is critical resource, otherwise your display will not work.

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Answer 7

Jezza72 Author

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Feb 19, 2015 12:38 PM in response to Loner T

Yes, that sounds like a safe and smart idea, thanks :) I will check it out later on today and it will hopefully all be done by tomorrow morning, without a hitch I hope... Thanks for the advice, if it stuffs up, I've only for myself to blame.

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Answer 8

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Feb 19, 2015 12:42 PM in response to Jezza72

Please see iMac (Early 2009) - Technical Specifications for your GPU configuration.

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