If you are unable to download and install the new Windows 8.1 Update via Windows Update, even after having set your Windows 8 to download and install Updates automatically, you can download. Run the Windows 8.1 Update troubleshooter to fix the problem. Install the Windows 8.1 Update or Windows RT 8.1 Update. If you're running Windows 8.1, go to the Microsoft Download Center: Windows 8.1 Update (32-bit version) Windows 8.1 Update (64-bit version) .
Windows 8.1 Update is the second major update to the Windows 8 operating system.
This update, previously referred to as Windows 8.1 Update 1 and Windows 8 Spring Update, is free for all Windows 8 owners. If you're running Windows 8,1, you must install Windows 8.1 Update if you wish to receive security patches that were released after April 8, 2014.
Windows 8.1 Update includes a number of user interface changes, especially for those using Windows 8 with a keyboard and/or a mouse.
For basic Windows 8 information, like system requirements, see Windows 8: Important Facts. Check our Windows 8.1 summary for more on Microsoft's first major update to Windows 8.
Windows 8.1 Update Release Date
Windows 8.1 Update was first made publicly available on April 8, 2014 and is currently the most recent major update to Windows 8.
Microsoft is not planning a Windows 8.1 Update 2 or Windows 8.2 update. New Windows 8 features, when they're developed, will be provided with other updates on Patch Tuesday.
Windows 10 is the most recent version of Windows available and we recommend that you update to this version of Windows if you can. Microsoft is unlikely to improve upon Windows 8 in the future.
Download Windows 8.1 Update
To upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Update for free, visit Windows Update and apply the update named Windows 8.1 Update (KB2919355) or Windows 8.1 Update for x64-based Systems (KB2919355).
If you don't see any Windows 8 Update related updates in Windows Update, check to make sure that KB2919442, first available in March 2014, is installed first. If it wasn't, you should see it there in the list of available updates in Windows Update.
While more complicated, you also have the option of upgrading manually from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Update via the downloads linked here:
The Windows 8.1 Update actually consists of six individual updates. Select them all after clicking the Download button. First install KB2919442 if you haven't already, followed by the ones you just downloaded, in this order exactly: KB2919355, KB2932046, KB2959977, KB2937592, KB2938439, and then KB2934018.
Not sure which download to pick? See our article on how to tell if you have Windows 8.1 64-bit or 32-bit for help. You must choose the download that corresponds to your type of Windows 8.1 installation.
If you haven't yet updated to Windows 8.1, you'll need to do that first via the Windows Store. See our How to Update to Windows 8.1 tutorial for more help. Once that's complete, update to Windows 8.1 Update via Windows Update.
Windows 8.1 Update is not the entire operating system, only a collection of updates to the operating system. If you don't currently have Windows 8 or 8.1, you can purchase a new copy of Windows (the entire operating system, not just the update). However, it's no longer available for purchase directly from Microsoft, so if you need to buy Windows 8.1, you can try other places like Amazon.com or eBay.
See Where Can I Download Windows 8.1? for some discussion on how to obtain a Windows 8.1 download.
We also answer a lot of questions about installing Windows 8 in our Installing Windows 8 FAQ.
Windows 8.1 Update Changes
A number of new interface changes were introduced in Windows 8.1 Update.
Below are some changes to Windows 8 that you might notice:
![Latest wow patch download Latest wow patch download](/uploads/1/2/6/0/126011842/329002272.jpg)
- Adds power and search buttons to the Start screen (on some devices).
- Booting directly to the Desktop is now the default setting on new installations on non-touch devices.
- Windows Store apps can be pinned to the Desktop taskbar, just like traditional programs.
- Taskbar is available anywhere the mouse is.
- Title bar, including close and minimize buttons, is available on Windows Store apps.
- Right-click menu is available for Windows Store apps pinned on the Start screen.
- Windows Store app is pinned by default to the taskbar.
- A 'new apps installed' notice on the Start screen after installing new apps.
More About Windows 8.1 Update
Windows 8 1 Patch Download
While all of our Windows 8 tutorials were written for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8.1 Update, the following ones may be particularly useful if you're new to Windows 8 as of Windows 8.1 Update:
Windows 8.1 Updates Download
You can find all of our Windows 8 and 8.1 installation related tutorials in our Windows How-To area.