Microsoft Pulls Windows 8.1 Update

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By Adario Strange2013-10-19 19:20:48 UTC

The much-anticipated Windows 8.1 update was finally released on Thursday. Since then, however, early reports of bricked devices and lost data from some users indicate that the release may have been premature. In response, Microsoft took its Windows 8.1 update offline until further notice on Saturday.

The Redmond, Wash. company posted the following a message to its website:

Microsoft is investigating a situation affecting a limited number of users updating their Windows RT device to Windows RT 8.1. As a result, we have temporarily removed the Windows RT 8.1 update from the Windows Store. We are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience.

Mashable Editor-in-Chief Lance Ulanoff offered an early warning regarding the problem on Friday, when he tweeted the following message and screenshot:

Quickly after, several other users confirmed the same results by replying via Twitter:

And while there are, as of this writing, no official instructions from Microsoft regarding the issue, Ulanoff said the company advised him download an ISO file to a USB stick as a possible recovery tool for his device. Unfortunately, when Ulanoff attempted to retrieve the ISO file that Microsoft provided, he was unable to download it.

So far, the problem appears to be limited to Windows RT devices. How long will those who attempted to update their Windows RT devices have to wait for answers? According to Microsoft's website: “We will provide updates as they become available.”

Image: Mashable, Lance Ulanoff

Topics: Apps and Software, Gadgets, Microsoft, Mobile, software, tablets, Tech, updates, Windows 8.1, Windows RT