I did this on a fairly clean install of windows 8.1. Despite that GFWL / Marketplace would not work, causing a crash when launching the gfwl version of Dark Souls. This lead me to find these steps and share them in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar predicament. It is not all inclusive and might not be helpful to you.

This is for a clean install of Dark Souls, no previous dsfix files - remove them if you have them
These were my steps to get the transfer working with save game and achievements.

• remove any dsfix files and folders if you have them.
  
  
• uninstall the faulty gfwl and marketplace programs that crash on start despite being a fresh install of win8.1
  
  
• download gfwl and run in compatibility mode for win7 and administrator
  right click file, properties, compatibility, check those options and run the file
  
  
• when prompted, get the windows live ID sign-in assistant 6.5
  wllogin_ 32 or 64 based on your system, and run that file - it might look like nothing happened, don't worry about it
  
  
• now gfwl should work
  
  
• in steam right click dark souls, properties, beta
  make sure you're opted out then run dark souls
  
  
• once it starts, gfwl will probably want you to sign in then update
  then close dark souls, wait for the update
  
  
• run dark souls again
  at this point i started getting steam achievements even though in the gfwl interface.
  
  
• load your game then exit the game
  
  
• right click dark souls in steam
  properties, beta, opt into the beta
  
  
• run dark souls and load game, everything should be good for you I hope.
  
  
• exit game, get the dsfix 2.3 file
  just search for it, extract, follow install directions in readme, adjust the settings to your liking and go!

Feel free to leave additional tips in the comments if you have any. One I know of is if you don't see the option to opt into the beta, then you may need to restart steam and/or use arrow keys to opt in.