That's the only way they could have done it. An updated iso that isn't based on "simply dism integrated updates" would freak out the guys who develop the windows updates.
So Microsoft published the new iso for the convenience factor and no one 'needs' it if they have the RTM-0 + run the dism resetbase command after installing the first four updates.
Wait, what is this now (the dism resetbase command specifically)? Also, I've installed all the Windows updates on two computers (both installed 8.1 with WZT's iso), but don't have KB2889543 on either computer. This update seems to be related to IE, which I uninstalled before updating, so maybe that's why?
Yup, like @Stannieman had pointed out, if there were 2 "final versions", QFE would have to make 2 different update versions for a single hotfix, one for win8.1 reported as 16384, and one reported as 16408; and if RollupB is out, 3 different update versions.
only volume editions are available as a new iso including the updates. Core/Pro multi editions show Sep.9.2013 on MSDN
Paul, as you can see, my win8.1Pro retail GA copy was from setupbox and it included RollupA. Maybe MS thought that nobody cares about the Pro retail in MSDN, so they just didn't give it a sh*t. (?)
perhaps they will change the core/pro editions on MSDN later to versions including the updates. Could imagine that they are quite busy atm or you are right assuming that they give a sh!t on it
Maybe because VL versions usually and up in places where they have special policies about updates. Sometimes updates disabled, or it-department checks them out first before distributing them to all their client machines. MS might want to make sure all these machines do have the GA updates installed. Non-VL editions usually end up on personal machines at home. These machines don't have the limitation of the it-department -> mostly have auto-update on -> will have the updates installed anyway. Retail might also end up in testing environment (hence it's MSDN) but there it's less relevant to have all updates installed because these users should know what they're doing.
The idea of an updated iso is quite dirty by the way. It doesn't make much sense to make them as they become outdated with each patching-Tuesday anyway. The updated isos are only to make sure that these first essential fixes are also applied on those machines where it's not so obvious they receive every single WU-updates.
funny to see that even brand new Surface 2 pro machines come without these updates installed. You have to go online and install these recent updates ... lol