Windows has been prompting me to upgrade from 8 to 8.1. I've tried several times but the installation always fails saying something about not being allowed to install from a USB drive. I'm not trying to install from USB, I'm just going to the windows store, selecting to upgrade to 8.1, then there's a very long download period and then I get the error message again. Tonight I tried checking for parallels update...there was one available so I installed it and then tried the Windows 8.1 update again...same problem. Any advice?
Hi Jeff, It doesn't look like an issue related to Parallels. Please try contacting Microsoft Support regarding the Windows Upgrade. In the meanwhile, if you have a product key for your Windows 8.1, please follow the steps as mentioned below : - Start your Windows 8 VM. - Go to the following link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=271128 from your Windows 8 VM. - Download the file and run the file once the download is completed. - The application will prompt you for the Windows 8.1 product key, please enter the Win 8.1 product key. - The Download for Windows 8.1 OS will be initiated and will proceed with the installation.
More information. I just tried to install again and I have the exact error message. "Couldn't install Windows 8.1. You can't install windows on a USB flash drive from setup." Of course I'm not trying to install from a flash drive, just downloading from windows 8.
Turned on Parallels again thinking that I'd try once again to upgrade to Windows 8.1. As I start up parallels it tells me it's updating tools and I should wait, but it's also got another warning message saying "Keep the USB Drive Plugged In, only remove it after your PC has shut down completely. Otherwise your Windows To Go workspace might crash and you could lose data". I don't have a USB drive plugged in. I let the tools finish downloading then rebooted and tried the upgrade again. Still no luck.
Hi Jeff, Please try contacting Microsoft Support regarding the Windows 8.1 Upgrade. You may try the steps suggested at third party website: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-cant-install-windows-usb-flash-drive-setup-upgrading-windows-8-1
