DSC07746Microsoft has been taking heat for making its new Windows 8.1 Update a required upgrade for Windows 8.1 users — saying it will no longer issuing security patches for Windows 8.1 users who don’t move to the latest version of the operating system.

That’s not changing.

In a post this morning, however, the company says it’s now giving businesses a total of 120 days, up from the previous 30, to update their existing Windows 8.1 machines. That extends the deadline to Aug. 12 for businesses to continue receiving security updates. The company says it has resolved a glitch with Windows Server Update Services that was keeping businesses from updating.

Consumers running Windows 8.1, however, will still need to upgrade to Windows 8.1 Update by May 13, or they’ll no longer receive security updates. The company will still provide Windows 8 users with security updates, but those who have upgraded to Windows 8.1 will need to update to the latest version of Windows 8.1 to continue receiving support.

Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc explains in the company’s post this morning

For our consumer customers, the Windows 8.1 Update is a required update to keep Windows 8.1 devices current. It will need to be installed to receive new updates from Windows Update starting on May 13th. The vast majority of these customers already have Automatic Update turned on, so they don’t need to be concerned since the update will simply install in the background prior to May 13th. For customers managing updates on their devices manually who haven’t installed the Windows 8.1 Update prior to May 13th, moving forward they will only see the option to install the Windows 8.1 Update in Windows Update. No new updates will be visible to them until they install the Windows 8.1 Update. For customers on metered networks, they will get the same experience until they install the Windows 8.1 Update.

The Windows 8.1 Update offers a series of improvements that make the operating system a better experience with keyboard and mouse.

 

 

 

 

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