Windows 8.1 will not download from the Store

Anonymous
2013-10-24T15:01:11+00:00

When I attempt to download Windows 8.1 PRO from the store I get the below message:

Store

You need to use an account with Administrator privileges to install Windows 8.1 try logging in with the user account of an administrator of this PC and trying the upgrade again.

I am logged into an administrator account.  The account is in the administrators group and I can do other administrator functions with this account.  My system has 2 administrator accounts and neither one will work.  Is there a security policy I need to change to allow the upgrade?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Install and upgrade

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Anonymous
2013-12-04T17:48:51+00:00

Same issue: 

Brand new Windows 8 workstation - with 100% of the updates installed and rebooted.

spent hours enabling the local admin account, creating other profiles.. running windows updates.

finally it shows up in the store - but I can't seem to download it.

The store shows up with the 8.1 upgrade - but displays the error that you have to be an administrator to install.

I uninstalled the KBKB2871389  then I downloaded it manually and  manually installed it.

After rebooting  I was able to get the 8.1 to download and install it.

Very frustrated.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-03-12T12:03:00+00:00

    Have add exactly the same problem.

    1. In my case I simply uninstalled the update (KB2871389)  then restared my Notebook.
    2. Machine seemed to hang on 'Configuring Updates' for quite some time (upwards of 15minutes)
    3. Before displaying RESTARTING
    4. At which point it restarted
    5. On restart I got a message that it could not Configure the Updates and proceded to boot up
    6. Once the  machine was backup, I viewed the list of installed updates, only to see that KB2871389 was still there (as implied by the earlier message informing me that it could not configure updates)
    7. Went to the store regardless
    8. Click on Windows 8.1
    9. It's now downloading without issue...go figure

    Not good having to jump through hoops however, just to get an update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-08T19:09:47+00:00

    I blundered into success by downloading a totally unrelated app from the microsoft store and while that was downloading, downloading the 8.1 update.  Note I didn't have a problem not seeing the 8.1 update, just the "you aren't the admin" error.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-07T16:43:39+00:00

    Hi Paul,

    I would have you refresh the store and check-

    1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.

    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.) 2. Enter run in the search box, and then tap or click Run. 3. Enter wsreset.exe in the Run command and then tap or click OK. 4. Restart your PC. 5. On the Start screen, tap or click Store, and check to see if Windows 8.1 now appears on the Store home screen.

    Thanks.

    This worked for me!!! Thanks.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-03-06T03:21:56+00:00

    Same issue: 

    Brand new Windows 8 laptop.. after updating and rebooting.. found the Win8.1 update.. Tried updating but got message that i needed admin account.. I was in the admin account, but logged in locally. I logged into my hotmail account, modified permissions to be admin.. logged out/in.. but still displays the error that you have to be an administrator to install.

    I uninstalled the KBKB2871389.  Downloaded it manually and  manually installed it.

    After rebooting  I was able to get the 8.1 to download and install it.

    Really Microsoft?

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