Microsoft Corporation said failure by users to install the just released Windows 8.1 Update will prevent Windows Update from upgrading their systems.

"Failure to install this Update will prevent Windows Update from patching your system with any future updates starting with updates released in May 2014," said Microsoft in a blog post.

Microsoft described the new Windows 8.1 Update as the new servicing baseline for Windows 8.1. This marketing aggressiveness is uncharacteristic for Microsoft. Previously, Microsoft users could decline a service pack and still receive future security updates.

Some analysts criticized the haste since Microsoft is forcing users to forcefully update even if they don't want to. They noted this requirement also goes against Microsoft's 24-month policy of ending support for an operating system/RTM before a 24-month timeframe. 

Making the update a must is probably not a good move even if the new update does make the OS better, said critics of the move,

If a user is still running windows 8, he doesn't need to update his machine. Users will be provided with security updates until Jan 2016. Windows 9 will most probably be available by then. Windows Server 2012 R2 users also need to apply this update to keep receiving patches and fixes in the future.

In case you haven't set the update settings to "automatic" and Windows store doesn't show any updates for you, go to your computer's Settings and in the updates and recovery section, go to Windows update and click Check for updates and install the KB 2919355 update.