Microsoft extends deadline for Windows 8.1 Update requirement

Microsoft is giving Windows 8.1 consumer users another 30 days to adopt the latest version of the OS before it cuts them off from receiving security updates.

When it released Windows 8.1 Update in mid-April, Microsoft said that version is required for Windows 8.1 users to receive patches. It gave Windows 8.1 users until May 13 to adopt Windows 8.1 Update.

But on Monday, Microsoft announced it's scrapping that deadline and giving people until June 10.

"While we believe the majority of people have received the update, we recognize that not all have. Having our customers running their devices with the latest updates is super important to us. And we're committed to helping ensure their safety," wrote Microsoft official Brandon LeBlanc in a blog post.

"As noted previously, consumer customers who do not update their Windows 8.1 devices to the Windows 8.1 Update by this new deadline will no longer receive updates. We're confident that within the next month, the majority of the remaining customers who haven't updated their devices to the Windows 8.1 Update will be able to do so," he added.

Back in April, LeBlanc seemed to suggest that having Windows 8.1 Update is required, from a technology standpoint, in order for users to be able to install new patches.

"All future security and non-security updates will be built on these latest product updates, so existing Windows 8.1 customers -- as well as Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry customers -- will need to be running these latest product updates in order to continue to receive future product improvements and security updates," LeBlanc wrote back then.

If Windows 8.1 Update is in fact a pre-requisite for being able to install new patches, it's not clear whether people still on Windows 8.1 will be able to benefit from the patches Microsoft plans to release during its monthly Patch Tuesday tomorrow.

Microsoft didn't immediately respond to a request for comment seeking clarification.

Juan Carlos Perez covers enterprise communication/collaboration suites, operating systems, browsers and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Juan on Twitter at @JuanCPerezIDG.