Important tip for updating Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 will soon be here, but if you're used to downloading Windows updates once and then applying them to all your computers you may be in for a shock.

According to a Microsoft spokesperson, only Volume Licensing customers will be able to download the Windows 8.1 update in this way (downloading once, then applying to all your computers).

All other users will need to download and install Windows 8.1 directly from the Windows Store for each PC or tablet that is to be updated.

"The only way [for retail and OEM licensees] to receive the Windows 8.1 update is through the Windows Store," said the spokesperson "There is no way to download an ISO or other 'offline' media to do this, nor is there a way to share the download between machines."

While updating via the Windows Store appears to be a very straightforward process, downloading around 2GB for each computer is likely to clog up a small business's internet connection unless the updates are staggered or the premises are on a high-bandwidth link, and could significantly eat into the data quota for that month.