Windows 8.1 Update- How do I get it?

By Cathy Margolin

Reviews Editor

reviews@netsurfernews.com

Microsoft changed how version updates are delivered. If you are running Windows 8 and want to update to Windows 8.1, you need to do two required steps to get to the golden Windows 8.1 update and one recommended step first.  The recommended FIRST step is to backup your hard drive whether it be using something like a Acronis True Image, or using the software that came on your external hard drive such as Seagate or Western Digital.  Before you update any operating system, just in case something goes wrong, this is always the recommended step. I'm always getting calls from people whose hard drive crashed on the laptop and they hadn't backed it up for months, potentially losing those irreplaceable kid pictures. Backup first! And backup often.

The first step from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, is to make sure that all the Windows updates have been completed.  One of the most typical ways to do this is to go into Internet Explorer, and using tools at the top,  pull it down to Windows update, and click on Windows update. This may include some reboots if needed.

The second step from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1, is to go to into the Metro interface (the one with all the boxes), and click on the Store icon.  Many times at this point the Windows 8.1 update will appear as the first icon on your screen in the Metro store.

If not search for it, click on it, and it will install itself.     

Installing Windows 8.1  

               Depending on the speed of your computer it will take a few minutes. It will then reboot and you should be ready to go with Windows 8.1.

If you were not able to find the Windows 8.1 update in the Microsoft store, you may have another issue. If your Windows 8 was obtained from a volume license such as TechNet, MSDN or DreamSpark,  please see my other article on how to do the Windows 8.1 update.