So you’ve only just updated to Windows 8.1, now what? Well, Microsoft wants you to update again, and do it pretty damn quickly, because its about to stop providing support for earlier versions of its ‘latest’ operating system.

As of May, Windows 8.1 will effectively be made obsolete already – much like Windows XP is too – as system updates will only be issued for those running the Windows 8.1 Update release and later versions. What this means is that any system running Windows 8.1 that hasn’t installed the “Update” package will no longer be able to install any future system updates from Microsoft.

The company explained its motives in a blog post yesterday. It said that in order to provide the best support and servicing, and to better coordinate this across Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2, this ‘Update’ will be considered a new servicing/support baseline.

“What this means is those users who have elected to install updates manually will have 30 days to install Windows 8.1 Update on Windows 8.1 devices; after this 30-day window,” Microsoft continued. “Beginning with the May Patch Tuesday, Windows 8.1 user’s devices without the update installed will no longer receive security updates.”

This ‘Update’ package was first released on April 7, and contains a cumulative set of security fixes for the original Windows 8.1. However, there were a few issues when the update was released, with some users reporting compatibility problems with the Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) component.

The likelihood is that most users won’t be affected – those who have automatic updates switched on should have already received the Windows 8.1 Update . However, those who manage updates manually will need to make sure its installed if they’re to receive further system updates afterwards.

The loss of support for updates is an obvious security hazard for those who’re still running the older Windows 8.1, but it’s only likely to affect a small number of users. That’s because automatic updates are usually enabled out of the box, and most IT departments will keep things that way. Also, Windows 8.1 (Update or otherwise) is currently only running on 4.89 percent of all PCs, compared to 6.41 percent for Windows 8, and 48.77 percent for Windows 7, according to the most recent data from Net Applications.

Right now, its the 27.69 percent of computers that are still running Windows XP that remain a far bigger security concern.

photo credit: ** RCB ** via photopin cc