14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 was officially launched in October last year as a free update for everyone running Windows 8, coming with quite a lot of improvements and fixes that were supposed to make the modern platform easier to use on the traditional desktop computer.
Surprisingly, Microsoft decided to offer Windows 8.1 through the Windows Store and although everything was just a smooth installation process for many, others experienced quite a lot of issues trying to deploy the first major Windows 8 update.
Microsoft was well aware of the fact that consumers were still struggling to install Windows 8.1, so the company rolled out a new fix that's supposed to deliver this first OS update via Windows Update.
Currently called just a “pilot program,” the new patch needs you to have update 2871389 installed on your computer, no matter if you are running Windows 8 or Windows RT.
“This (Windows RT) pilot program is an example of ways we're experimenting to help ensure more of our customers benefit from a continuously improving Windows experience,” the company explained.
“Similar to how the Windows 8.1 Update process works today, the pilot program will automatically update consumer Windows 8 and Windows RT machines for free to Windows 8.1 Update and Windows RT 8.1 Update in select markets.”
Basically, if you have already installed the aforementioned update on a Windows 8 computer, Windows 8.1 should be automatically downloaded and deployed without any user interaction. This update does not work on volume-licensed computers, the company said.
“If you have enabled Automatic Updates on a computer that is running Windows RT and that has update 2871389 installed, this update can automatically start the update process to Windows RT 8.1,” it said.
Shipping Windows 8.1 through the store was clearly a decision that Microsoft probably regrets, especially because so many users experienced trouble installing it. The company then turned back to the classic Windows Update system for Windows 8.1 Update and will probably stick to it for further updates as well.
Microsoft is set to deliver a second Windows 8.1 update in mid-August or September, with some people close to the development process saying that the company is again pondering with the possibility of offering it through the store.
Given the past problems, however, we highly doubt that such a thing has any chance to happen, so expect Windows 8.1 Update 2 to be shipped via Windows Update, just like all the other updates rolled out by Microsoft.