Windows 8.1 August update now available for manual download

By John Callaham
published

Microsoft is now letting Windows 8.1 device owners manually download the new August update, which adds a few new features to the OS.

As previously announced, the Windows 8.1 August update includes these new additions:

  • Precision touchpad improvements – three new end-user settings have been added: Leave touch pad on when a mouse is connected; allow right-clicks on the touchpad; double-tap and drag.
  • Miracast Receive – exposes a set of Wi-Fi direct APIs for Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) drivers or OEM drivers to develop Windows 32-bit applications that run on all supported x86-based or x64-based versions of Windows 8.1, enabling the computer as a Miracast receiver.
  • Minimizing login prompts for SharePoint Online – reduces the number of prompts with federated use in accessing SharePoint Online sites. If you select the "Keep me signed in" check box when you log on for the first time, you will not see prompts for successive access to that SharePoint Online site.

The update will also begin rolling out today for Windows 8.1 owners who have their devices set to get automatic updates. Unlike the feature update that was released a few months ago, this will not be a requirement but it is likely recommended.

If you have downloaded and installed this update, what do you think of these new Windows 8.1 features?

Source: x86 (opens in new tab) and X64 (opens in new tab) downloads via Neowin

John Callaham
John Callaham
103 Comments
  • Awesome maybe it'll make my Microsoft media keyboards trackpad better
  • Why it's an optional update on Windows Update?
  • Yay! Downloading.
    It's a small update but small steps lead to important improvements.
  • How big
  • about 180 mb for the x64
  • cool thanks
  • Anyone know if this works on Enterprise as well?
  • Sure it works. I'm already downloading from Microsoft IT WSUS (my laptop is domain joined to Microsoft IT domain)
  • So even though Microsoft isn't officially giving this update a number, this would be Update 2, right?
  • It has a number like every other update. In this case it is KB2975719.
  • That's right. According to journalists I've heard talk about this, internally it is called "Update 2" but officially it's called the "August Update". Microsoft at BUILD was hyped about adding the new Modern Start menu into this update, but they changed their minds and it's being added to Threshold instead. If it were added to this update, it would be called with great fanfare "Update 2".
  • Actually, update 2 was split into many monthly updates, which will be released on update Tuesday.
  • There's actually no build numbers mentioned anywhere on the OS after you install this.
    You wouldn't even know you have it.
    Still says Windows 6.3 Build 9600.
  • Will the surface 3 be able to act as a Miracast receiver, or is there special hardware that needs to be installed?
  • I thought it is allready available for S3 pro. This is for other oems.
  • The hardware is ready, the software wasn't. This update enables the software
  • Okay, thanks. Did not know that.
  • Do you know how I would make my 1520 see it as a receiver? My SP3?
  • Windows 8.1 and the Surface Pro series do Miracast as the transmitting device, but not as a receiver.  With this update (and updated drivers for devices), Windows 8.1 devices will be able to also receive audio/video from another device.  For example, you could stream from your Windows Phone or tablet to your Windows 8.1 desktop or HTPC.
  • However, somebody still needs to make an app for that?
  • No. Charm bar, devices, project to..
  • My SP3 doesnt work with Miracast at all, painfully frustrating - check that, it connects, but its all garbled and pixelated, and the lag is un-usable.  Dell Venue 8 Pro works flawlessly.  SP3 also doesnt see my Samsung SmartTV when i try to play to a wireless display using the charms command - again, Dell Venue 8 Pro works flawlessly.  This is my only frustration thus far with SP3.  Other than this, Im very happy.
  • I'm wondering the same.
  • Updated drivers will be needed for the SP3 to link the required hardware features to the new OS APIs.  Also, a program/app will be needed to display the video and control the Miracast receiver funtionality, but that part wouldn't be specific to the SP3.  Anyway, it might be a little while before the remaining parts are in place.
  • Not available as of yet for me :/
  • You can download and install manually as per links below the article
  • thats what the article said...?
  • I wonder if the track pad improvements work on the Surface Pro 3 type cover as well.
  • More than likely
  • Will I get it on my HP Pavilion?
  • does it have Windows 8.1 Update 1? Then yes, we are not talking about phones.
  • no updates on my 8.1 India.... sigh...
  • why sigh, its available for manual updates, and is rolling out later
  • check later in the day. they roll out the updates in stages, i dont get them untill after 17.00 (uk time)
  • thanks for d advice dude
  • Can't get a good steak breakfast with Bagel there either.
  • My surface says no updates available. What's up with that crap?
  • it said its available for manual download, and will appear via the automatic system later. thats whats up.
  • I had a coworker that would say "That's what's up!" a lot. :) Coworker: Hey Demitrius, how are you? Me: I'm doing well, today is a good day. I have my Mountain Dew, my Lumia 1520 and the sun is shining with a cool summer breeze! Coworker: That's whats up!
  • Could it have been me by some chance? I say that alot.. :D
  • Not in the Netherlands but i don't mind realy. Nothing i would use i think.
  • It is..
  • probably won't download it, switched off all auto-updates once I installed 8.1; dunno which one, but one of the updates was causing my PC to blue-screen & wouldn't allow me to use a previously-created restore point, meaning I had to go back to factory defaults (Win8) and download 8.1 again...
  • HP machine?
  • no, Lenovo. Think it's something to do with an optional update for the sound, but don't want to risk installing any updates until I know for sure...
  • That would almost certainly be a driver update causing a bluescreen.  You could still install Windows updates, and skip the optional driver updates, but I understand your concern.
  • Wich? I have Lenovo Lynx k3011 and one update broke my touch screen. Now I have to connect a USB mouse to use it. I did everything, just going back to Windows 8 solved the problem, but when I update, and them restart the touchscreen doesnt work! Just awful
  • mine's the G505S laptop, touch screens were something like £400 more (was already paying £399), wasn't really worth it as I use mainly mouse and keyboard anyway :)
  • No love for Windows RT 8.1
  • Windows RT is the red-headed step child; it's not even close to what MSFT said Windows for ARM would be. *sadface*
  • Why the hell does everyone say this.. Windows RT is Windows on ARM.. They never said we're putting WP's OS on a 10 inch tablet... The app ecosystem is poor because it was an entirely new store. Yes it would've been nice to have universal apps from the start, so we could share WP app code, but it wasn't ready yet. Fast forward to now, Threshold won't change this that drastically. I actually think Windows RT is much more capable than WP is. The apps are much better because they load quicker and open where they left off when you fire them off from the start screen. The apps also snap and have gesture support, charm support, etc. The gesture support is much smoother in IE on RT than on WP8.1, example swiping back and forward pages. I am excited for Threshold too, but I hope it doesn't remove functionality from RT maybe except the desktop. But it isn't a train wreck.
  • RT works just fine, does it not?
  • Yipiii
  • Not available I india
  • Too many xbox stories :|
  • Which do install first? bigger one or the smaller one?
  • I did the small one first, i guessed it would be a prerequisite for the main one, worked fine
  • Doesn't adds any features but my feels lke it did fixed some bugs!!!
  • Won't it simply roll out this afternoon in the 2nd Tue/month Windows Updates?
  • Any built-in functionality for Miracast? Just updated but don't notice any changes yet
  • No.  This just adds APIs to the OS to allow the Miracast receiver functionality.  However, other things would need to be implemented.   Updated drivers (for each device) will be needed to link the required hardware features to the new OS APIs.  Also, a program/app will be needed to display the video and control the Miracast receiver funtionality, but that part wouldn't be device specific.  Anyway, it might be a little while before the remaining parts are in place.
  • They really could have included some OS functionality that allows a Windows Phone to be displayed on the desktop full-screen.
  • Nice, waiting for it :)
  • Yes it came pre-installed with 8.1 update. When I am saying HP Pavilion I am certainly not talking about phone. It's my 16.5" sleek laptop with i5 Core 4 GB ram and 1TB hard drive. I love playing MC5 Asphalt8, THey run butter smooth on it and more than me my son loves playing Halo Spartan Assault.
  • Thanks for the detailed explanation Cleavitt; I was going to ask about it but you answered it. Sucks I doubt my desktop will be able to receive as the mobo is from 2012 and I doubt Asus writes a driver or if the hardware has that functionality.
  • Hey look...another question...
  • RT?
  • Is it available in India now?? I am not getting it please anybody tell me how to get it
  • It is available anywhere if you click on the source links at the bottom of the article. It is a manual update for now.
  • not interesting
  • Just got it via Windows Update
  • Seems faster.............. :))
  • what a coincidence 
  • seems faster..:D
  • Seems fa-- Okay. :(
  • Is the update called firmware or is firmware something completely different?
  • Firmware is different
  • Sure, & I bet we'll have to go to some "wi-fi zone" to download even though I pay for a tmob unlimited plan...good thinking ms.
  • Still no support for Google Contacts and Google Calendar I assume?
  • You need to ask Google why they won't allow it on that one...
  • If thats a reference to Google ending their use of EAS to connect to Google services, I think it's pretty irrelevant now Windows Phone has built in support for google calendar and contacts, and is a twisted attitude anyway. By that I mean, Google is the service and they should be allowed to dictate what protocol clients use to connect to their services. The client (Windows in this case) should just support it since it's such a popular service. Just like how the native Android clients support connections to Microsoft services using the protocols that Microsoft dictates (EAS).
  • 15 updates.Downloading now:)
  • I'm now downloading the update on my Dell Venue 11 Pro. I hope it is possible to configure it as a Miracast receiver for my Lumia 1520. It's almost done so I'll find out soon enough...
  • Downloading on my Dell Venue 8 Pro, hoping the same thing for my Lumia 1520. :)
  • KB2975719 is the actual Win8.1 August Update.  About 100MB and was listed as "optional". There were 15 other updates, mostly security related.  About 120MB    
  • I could use this updated. Especially for Miracast.
  • Manually? How? My phone still says it is up to date. Still just for developers?
  • I wonder where in the article you "read" the word "phone" :P.
  • Sweet this makes the SP3 an even better prospect :P
     
  • What systems these days use x86? Just wondering out of curiosity, as I honestly don't know much about this topic
  • People / Companies who still are reluctant to get off / haven't migrated from XP (still an insane amount of XP users despite MS warning them Xp support was ending April 2014).
  • So its in old systems?
  • Atom based tablets, ultrabooks, etc.
  • I have installed all updates today on my HP Spectre x2 Pro
  • The most prominent change probably is that when modern apps close, the system goes back to the start screen instead of the desktop. Which to me is a relief...I don't see any other visual change Posted via Windows Phone Central App
  • Still no install-to-other-drive thing? While low storage devices is permitted, they didn't give any choice to select any location of store app installation?
  • I noticed when you close out of a metro app it goes back to start screen instead of desktop
  • installed it on my Asus Transformer Book T300 ....
  • The biggest issue I have with my Win8.1 laptop is the dismal touchpad and unstable driver. Not sure who is to blame here, Acer, Synaptics or Microsoft and I don't know if the feature noted in this update will have any impact on it or make it better. Doesn't every Windows laptop come with a OEM trackpad and drvier from a 3rd party? What does this update do? Provide improved native support? If so, I'm guessing you're losing a lot of functionality from the OEMs.
  • I don't know about any other system but my sp3 trackpad feels much better. More responsive.   Hopefully not the placebo effect.
  • I really wish there was more to this update. Maybe i can daydream of some kind of behind the scenes improvments that they didn't announce.
  • The taskbar wont go away now... I cant use Xbox Music because the controls are under the taskbar... WTF!!!!!   http://www.neowin.net/news/following-windows-81-august-update-a-persistent-taskbar-comes-along-for-the-ride
  • This update removed the ability to disable the touchpad via Settings -> "PC & Devices" and the "Mouse & Touchpad" menu, which makes no sense at all. Does anyone know if it just moved, or do I have to go via the device manager now? (I mainly turn it off when gaming and using an external mouse)