The second generation Surface tablets are launching tomorrow, and this has resulted in the desktop versions of Windows 8.1 hogging up all the headlines. Microsoft actually launched the 8.1 update for both the desktops and tablets this past Thursday.
But due to an undisclosed issue, the company decided to remove Windows RT 8.1 from the Store.
Redmond is said to be investigating an issue that is reportedly affecting a small number of users that switched from Windows RT to Windows RT 8.1. Unofficial reports indicate that after upgrading the tablets users no longer had access to Microsoft Office or Outlook.
And worse yet, it appears that the update actually bricks some tablets, leaving them unusable!
A Microsoft employee had this to say on this updating issue:
“Microsoft is investigating a situation affecting a limited number of users updating their Windows RT devices to Windows RT 8.1. As a result, we have temporarily removed the Windows RT 8.1 update from the Windows Store. We are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and apologize for any inconvenience. We will provide updates as they become available.”
In the meantime, though, the company has launched a recovery image for Surface RT owners that should help users get back on Windows 8 and make their devices usable once again.
Windows RT 8.1 is still unavailable at the time of this writing, by the way.
But the Surface RT recover image is made up of two different files — the copy of the operating system itself and some instructions on how to use it. They come in at 3.7GB and 406KB respectively.
Somewhat surprisingly though, Microsoft is yet to publicly announce this release, but most probably an official announcement on the matter is incoming.
You can, however, download the Surface RT recovery image for Windows RT here.
