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Windows 8.1 Update 1 Start screen, with power button

Microsoft Windows 10 may be around the corner, only the company is yet issuing Windows 8.1 updates on a adequately regular basis. If you're already using Windows viii.1, and aren't sure you're running the latest organization update, the easiest way to bank check and download information technology is to visit PC Settings (the new Control Panel, available from the right-manus bill of fare bar) and click "Update and recovery." There is too the option to download the latest Windows viii.ane Update as standalone files, if you want to archive them or perform an offline or enterprise installation.

If you haven't already installed the latest organisation updates, you lot should do and then — Microsoft has said that users won't become any security updates if they stick with older versions of Windows eight.1. To continue receiving security updates, you need to brand sure you're running the latest version of the Bone. How practise yous exercise that, for gratis? Simply follow these simple instructions.

How to download and install the latest Windows viii.1 Update

Installing Windows 8.1 Update 1

As we previously mentioned, the quickest fashion to get the latest update is to utilize the PC Settings control panel. If yous do that, skip ahead to the section at the end of the story with tips on how to make the almost of information technology. If you want to download the standalone files, though, read on.

As ever, we accept to preface this with the usual disclaimer: Downloading Windows updates using unconventional methods is risky. At the very least, you lot should ensure that the SHA hash of the downloaded file matches past using the Microsoft File Checksum Integrity Verifier (a complimentary tool). If you accept any important documents on your computer, y'all should dorsum them upward, as well (this should be an unnecessary precaution, though; updates are just a agglomeration of patches, rather than a complete reinstallation).

Use the following links to download the right version of Windows 8.1 for your computer'south architecture (probably 64-bit, unless you have an older computer or a tablet).

Official Windows Update download links:

  • 64-scrap:
    KB2919442 / KB2919355 / KB2932046 / KB2937592 / KB2938439 / KB2934018
  • 32-bit:
    KB2919442 / KB2919355 / KB2932046 / KB2937592 / KB2938439 / KB2934018
  • ARM:
    KB2919442 / KB2919355 / KB2932046 / KB2937592 / KB2938439 / KB2934018

Alternatively, if you don't like direct downloads, you can ever striking up the official Windows Update website, which always points you to the latest version, and follow the instructions in that location.

Once you've downloaded the initial Update ane, you will have six divide patches that need to exist installed in a very specific order. Your computer will need to reboot a few times during the process.

  1. KB2919442
  2. KB2919355
  3. KB2932046
  4. KB2937592
  5. KB2938439
  6. KB2934018

Windows 8.1 Update 1 Desktop

Windows 8.1 Update Desktop. Annotation how Metro apps can now exist minimized to the Taskbar.

Life after updating Windows 8.i

If you're a mouse-and-keyboard person, you will find that the latest version of Windows 8.one makes the Metro interface more than palatable. Whether this will motility y'all to actually utilize the new Offset screen is a dissimilar question. Unless there'due south a Metro-style app that you lot really want to use, you will probably still find yourself on the Desktop, using a third-party app to bring back the Windows 7-style Kickoff carte. On the rare occasion that you detect yourself thrust into the new Metro interface, at least the latest version of Windows 8.1 makes the whole feel feel a little less you're being brutally plucked out of i operating organization and unceremoniously dumped in another. So that'due south skilful.

On the Desktop side of things, the latest update doesn't change much. Recent tweaks have included ameliorate support for high-PPI displays, and that sound and video files at present open in Photograph Viewer and Media Player, respectively, rather than billowy you into Metro. For Windows 8.1 tablet owners, you at present go a Search button on the Start screen, and some of the stock Metro apps have been updated/improved. Actually, though, if y'all're a power user and have some free fourth dimension to play effectually, check out how to install Windows 10 Technical Preview in a virtual machine. Soon, things will get much, much better.

Sebastian Anthony wrote the original version of this article. Information technology has since been updated with new information.