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
    2014-02-11T07:00:57+00:00

    Create a new user account with admin privileges and use that. It worked for me. I think the problem is likely that the account initially created wouldn't have had admin privileges and perhaps although I changed the privileges to Admin, Windows will only recognize the original state of the first user account.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-09T20:26:50+00:00

    This works!  Thanks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-08T19:50:36+00:00

    http://m.kapilarya.com/fix-cant-download-windows-8-1-from-windows-store

    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.

    The error message says that you need to be logged in as administrator but when I got the error, I was already using the administrators account. The account I was using was in the administrators group and I can do other administrator functions with this account. In order to fix this issue, you can follow these steps:

    FIX : Can’t Download Windows 8.1 From Windows Store

    1. Press  + W and putupdates in Search box, select View installed updates from search results.

    2. In the Installed Updates window, look for the Update for Microsoft Windows (KB2871389) and right click on it, select Uninstall.

    3. Now using following links, download the KB2871389 update package manually for your Windows 8 edition and install it:

    Download Link [All supported x86-based versions of Windows 8]

    Download Link [All supported x64-based versions of Windows 8]

    Download Link [All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012]

    After following above mentioned steps, you can re-try to download Windows 8.1 from Windows Store, it should work without any issues.

    Hope this helps!

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-08T14:34:47+00:00

    Callum,

    Thanks for the clear advice.  It worked perfectly.

    But this is so annoying.  I have a brand new Windows 8 PC.  I never created any user accounts so my default account on the new PC has administrator privileges.

    I kept seeing reminders all over the Microsoft support pages inviting me to get the free upgrade to 8.1.  I carefully checked everything on my PC to make sure it is compatible with 8.1 and I wouldn't lose anything.  Windows 8.1 Upgrade was in the Windows store so I took the plunge.

    Saw the same warning as everyone else.  Very frustrating!!  Followed your advice and 8.1 downloads.  If I wasn't a keen supporter of Windows I'd have given up and bought a Mac.  If MS really want us all to upgrade, they should at least make sure this basic process works.

    Thanks again.

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