Why Windows can't find updates in the store

Solution:

If your PC is currently running Windows 8 (or Windows RT), and you want to update to Windows 8.1 (or Windows RT 8.1), in most cases, you'll see an eye-catching free update on the Windows Store home page. If the store is open, but you do not see the update, it may be caused by one of the following reasons:

Although the Windows 8.1 update has been downloaded and installed from the store, your PC needs another update, "KB 2871389", and then the store will provide you with Windows 8.1.

If you use Windows Update to obtain Automatic Updates, KB 2871389 will be downloaded and installed automatically.

If you turned off automatic Updates, or if you're using a new computer that hasn't downloaded Automatic Updates, or you don't want to wait for Windows Update to do this automatically, you can go to Windows Update and manually install KB 2871389.

To install the required updates

1. Open Windows update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (if you are using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then moving the mouse pointer up), tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC Settings, and then tapping or clicking Windows Update.

2. Tap or click Check for updates now, and then wait for Windows to find the latest updates for your PC. If you do not enable automatic installation of critical updates, you may need to tap or click Enable recommended settings before you can check for updates.

3. If an update is found, tap or click the message that describes the number of updates that will be installed automatically. In the list of updates, find the name that contains "(KB2871389)" (the exact name may vary, depending on your system) of the update.

4. Tap or click Install to install all recommended updates in the list.

5. When the update is complete, you need to restart your computer. If any of your desktop apps are open, save your work before restarting and close the app. Restart by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (if you are using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then moving the mouse pointer up), tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Power, and then tapping or clicking Restart.

6. After restarting the computer, on the Start screen, tap or click Store, and you should be able to see the Windows 8.1 update. For more comprehensive information about installing Windows 8.1, see Upgrading from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1.

The version of Windows 8 that you are running may not support free updates from the store

Some versions of Windows 8 do not support free updates to Windows 8.1. These editions include:

Windows 8 Enterprise Edition

Enterprise Windows 8 Pro installed with KMS activation

Version of Windows 8 that is installed with the MSDN ISO and activated with multiple activation keys

If you are running one of these versions, you cannot install the free update from the store to Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1.

If you installed Windows 8 with the MSDN ISO, you might be able to use MSDN. Similar to ISO installation in Windows 8.1

Otherwise, you may be able to perform a clean installation. For more information, see How to perform a clean installation of Windows.

For more information about updating to Windows 8.1, see Update to Windows 8.1: frequently asked questions.