As we reported recently, consumers are required to install Windows 8.1 Update by May 12th in order to continue receiving security patches. This is all part of Microsoft’s commitment to providing a more rapid cadence of feature improvements. However, business users have now been granted a few extra months to install the update.
“As we’ve been monitoring the release, we’ve been actively discussing this new approach to servicing with enterprise customers and listening to their feedback regarding managing the deployment timeline. As a result, we’ve decided to extend the timeframe for enterprise customers to deploy these new product updates from 30 to 120 days. In order to receive future updates, all customers managing updates using WSUS, Windows Intune, or System Center Configuration Manager have until August 12th to apply the new updates. For those that decide to defer installation, separate security updates will be published during the 120-day window,” Microsoft explained in an official blog post.
If you are not a business user, but rather a casual consumer, the deadline remains May 12th. “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,” Microsoft added.
Microsoft also points out that the vast majority of users have Automatic Updates installed, which will deploy Windows 8.1 Update for you. If consumers elect to ignore the Update after May 12th, that will be the only available update you will see in Windows Update.
