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Microsoft attempts to solve Windows 8.1 update problems

by Mark Tyson on 2 July 2014, 09:45

Tags: Windows 8, PC

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As some people are reportedly still struggling to apply the Windows 8.1 update to their computer systems Microsoft has begun a new pilot program. Paul Thurrott writes that the roll out of this update, for both Windows 8/RT users, is being tested in select markets right now with a view to a broader rollout if successful.

The Windows 8.1 Update was made available through the Windows Store rather than the more appropriate channel of the Windows Update program. Some thought that was, perhaps, Microsoft trying to get people to check the Windows Store from time to time rather than just completely ignore it. However some people who wanted to update couldn’t do it and have since been stuck on Windows 8.0.

A Microsoft spokesman told Thurrott "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". He went on to say that the process will be similar to how Windows 8.1 updates itself today and thus should help consumer Windows 8 and Windows RT machines update to.1 for free, automatically.

If you are one of the unfortunate individuals who have embraced Windows 8 but then got stuck on the outside looking in at the enhancements in Windows 8.1 (and Windows 8,.1 Update 1) – not available to you then you are advised to check Windows Update now. If you are in one of the pilot program areas it could be available today. Others may have to wait until it's rolled out to their region.

However there is one more way to help a Windows RT system update today. Users of this OS can manually download the update here. But users of Windows 8.0 or RT must have already applied update 2871389 first. At the time of writing we don't know the direct download link for the x86 machine compatible update.



HEXUS Forums :: 8 Comments

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If you are one of the unfortunate individuals who have embraced Windows 8 but then got stuck on the outside looking in at the enhancements in Windows 8.1 (and Windows 8,.1 Update 1) – not available to you then you are advised to check Windows Update now. If you are in one of the pilot program areas it could be available today. Others may have to wait until it's rolled out to their region.

I'm not sure if this applies to my case entirely, but I did upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1 and have been experiencing a number of issues since then, while most features on my PC seem to run OK there are certain games I can't play and there are issues with USB connectivity, for example I can't seem to get IOS to connect to iPhones and iPads and on a downside I can't scan more than 2 or 3 pages using my scanner.

I'm debating over whether I should try this update now, or leave it a while and see what sort of complaints are generated from it before I try. I really want to reinstall my PC but as it still does nearly everything I want I CBA.
Given the problems I suffered on one computer updating to 8.1, I have not updated the other.

When I updated the computer, MS suddenly decided I must have a US keyboard (which makes it difficult to type in your password), it decided I needed a new Netro wallpaper (dayglo orange) and changed all the colours of the metro tiles to yet more dayglo colours.

If I wanted the OS to look like it was designed by a 7 year old with a collection of magic markers I would have gone to Fisher Price
KeyboardDemon
If you are one of the unfortunate individuals who have embraced Windows 8 but then got stuck on the outside looking in at the enhancements in Windows 8.1 (and Windows 8,.1 Update 1) – not available to you then you are advised to check Windows Update now. If you are in one of the pilot program areas it could be available today. Others may have to wait until it's rolled out to their region.

I'm not sure if this applies to my case entirely, but I did upgrade from 8.0 to 8.1 and have been experiencing a number of issues since then, while most features on my PC seem to run OK there are certain games I can't play and there are issues with USB connectivity, for example I can't seem to get IOS to connect to iPhones and iPads and on a downside I can't scan more than 2 or 3 pages using my scanner.

I'm debating over whether I should try this update now, or leave it a while and see what sort of complaints are generated from it before I try. I really want to reinstall my PC but as it still does nearly everything I want I CBA.

If you mean Itunes won't connect to iDevices then you may need to follow this http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1538
I had to remove the Apple Mobile Device USB Driver when my Itunes stopped recognising my iPad. That was after an Itunes update rather than than updating windows IIRC.
cjs150
When I updated the computer, MS suddenly decided I must have a US keyboard (which makes it difficult to type in your password), it decided I needed a new Netro wallpaper (dayglo orange) and changed all the colours of the metro tiles to yet more dayglo colours.

It seems that the update set all those things to their default values (as in what you get when you install Windows 8.1 from scratch).

I've never had to install the update in an existing Windows 8 installation, so I haven't had to suffer all this. Still, it looks like Microsoft are advancing in the very correct initiative to downplay the Phone/Tablet market and provide a unique and better desktop experience. Attempting to unite their mobile and desktop offerings was an interesting idea; it simply didn't work.
cjs150
If I wanted the OS to look like it was designed by a 7 year old with a collection of magic markers I would have gone to Fisher Price

Good one - made me laugh! :D