How to Trick Windows Update to Offer Windows 8.1 Spring Update Downloads

The official release of Windows 8.1 Spring 2014 Update, also known as Windows 8.1 Feature Pack, is scheduled to release via Windows Update from April 8th, 2014. But if you can’t wait, and does not want to download leaked Windows 8.1 Update, seea has discovered that a simple registry hack will allow Windows Update or Microsoft Update to offer you the Windows 8.1 Spring 2014 Update instantly.

The install Windows 8.1 Feature Pack and Spring 2014 Update now, do the following hack:

1. Run Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\

3. Add a new registry key.

   

4. Name the new key as SHWindowsPoolS14.

   

5. Restart the computer.
6. Check for updates in Windows Update.

In fact, more updates are available using the registry trick, when comparing with 4 updates that officially part of the Windows 8.1 Spring Update package. The following 2 updates are offered first:

Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2919442) - (S14 Prerequisite v01.0008)
Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2939087) 1.0

Followed by:

Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2919355) (S14 (v14) and Supplemental (Av5\Vv1\Cv1))

In summary, Windows Update will install the following updates in such a sequence:

1. KB2919442 Windows 8.1 Update prerequisite
2. KB2939087
3. KB2919355 Windows 8.1 Update
4. KB2932046 Windows 8.1 Update Supplement package
5. KB2938439
6. KB2937592 Windows 8.1 Update Supplement package

With more updates available, some applications are been updated to even newer build and version. For example, IE has the version of 11.0.9600.17031, and KB2937592 has the build version of 6.3.9600.17034 while KB2938439 has the build version of 6.3.9600.17037.

Note that if the trick, you can still download directly from Windows Update and run the MSU according to order above. Download links can be found here or using the direct download links below:

Official Windows 8.1 Spring Update Direct Download Links from Windows Update

for 64-bit Windows 8.1
KB2919442
KB2919355
KB2932046
KB2937592
KB2938439
KB2939087

for 32-bit Windows 8.1
KB2919442
KB2919355
KB2932046
KB2937592
KB2938439
KB2939087

for Windows 8.1 RT (ARM)
KB2919442
KB2919355
KB2932046
KB2937592
KB2938439
KB2939087

As usual, the updates apply to both Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2.

Official Windows 8.1 Update is now available.