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
    2014-02-11T09:37:31+00:00

    The instructions on this page I found worked. Same as the top answer just laid out easily.

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

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-11T22:18:27+00:00

    I tried this and it was able to solve the issue... Thank you very much this was a very simple and effective solution to this issue... Is there any reason that this problem has been concurring?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-12T06:38:35+00:00

    Purchased a new laptop running Windows 8.  Having used Microsoft OSs since DOS days, this one drives me nuts.  Seems to be trying to decide if it's a phone or little tablet... rather than a computer to actually do some work.  I digress.  Shortly after purchasing, I began getting messages that the PC needs to reboot to install important updates.  It reboots, and 15 minutes later, wants to reboot again.  Can't get anything done now. 

    Searched for a way to stop this behavior (on my old PC running good ol' XP), and added the registry key to prevent rebooting. So, I tried to install 8.1, and though I can see it in the store, can't download due to the "must be an admin" msg noted above by others.  I am logged in as an admin (the only account on the laptop). I cleared the store cache, ... same deal.  I tried running Windows updates, but get in an infinite loop of reboots. And the updates never complete... (removed the registry key to not automatically reboot - but, updates still infinitely want to reboot).  I like the laptop, but really don't like Windows 8.  At all.  It's a new machine, for goodness' sake!

    Note-KB2871389 install failed saying it wasn't applicable to my computer.

    =======

    Follow up (the next day):  Well, since I was unable to complete Windows updates, being caught in the infinite reboot loop, and couldn't download Win 8.1 from the Store (due to the admin issue, which may or may not have been related to KB update issues?!), I did a system restore from a restore point in January. Fortunately, I haven't installed many programs yet, so not a huge inconvenience - aside from the time factor.  Once the restore completed, I was able to go to the Store and download 8.1.  I then ran Windows update to install any new updates from this week.  Thus, another 150mb download.  But, now all is up to date.  All in all, I feel I have spent more time futzing with the OS than actually using the computer for something useful. Now, I need to get my Start button back (which was part of the two days I spent when I got this laptop, configuring to a point where I felt I could navigate the darn thing). I still contend Win 8 is not the right direction for PCs or laptops.  Tablets or phones, perhaps. I'm done for now... so I should go get a wet wipe to get the fingerprints off my touch screen. <poke> <poke> <Submit>

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