Microsoft rolled out Windows 8.1 on October 17th as a free update to Windows 8 users. This update was designed to bring numerous new features and improvements based on consumer feedback. Unfortunately for many, this update has been resulting in an error upon installation, leaving Windows 8 users frustrated.
“I am getting error code 0x80240031 during download of Windows 8.1 for 50% of Downloading. Can anybody help me fix this?” one user asks on the official Microsoft support forum. “I’m experiencing the exact same problem. This is getting very frustrating,” another user adds.
The common issue seems to be that when users attempt to download the Windows 8.1 update via the Windows Store, a 0x80240031 error comes up when the download reaches 50%. Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to offer a solution or a fix for this issue, which appears to be plaguing numerous Windows 8 users, as evident from the numerous support requests on Microsoft’s support forum.
One potential solution is to install every available update from Windows Update prior to downloading the Windows 8.1 update. Another solution involves the old fashioned “keep trying,” which can be time consuming and frustrating. You can even try disabling any security software to see if that helps.
Microsoft revealed that they would not be releasing an ISO of the update, forcing consumers to snag the update via Windows Store.
Microsoft has made it known there will be no .ISO file for Windows 8.1 available to the general public. “Consumers” here really means any copies of Windows 8 that weren’t purchased through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing programs. So a small business with 20 PCs to upgrade, for example, will have to do them one at a time via the Windows Store – so that’s 20 separate 3.5GB downloads. The Windows Store is the only way for consumers (non-enterprise, non-IT Pro) to download and install Windows 8.1. No ISOs will be made available, so each device needs to be updated individually via the Windows Store.
Are you experiencing the same update issue? Did you discover a way to fix the problem and get the update installed?
