It's all a bit confusing, but Microsoft is still advising Windows Phone 8.1 Preview users to roll back to WP8 before they can update to the official WP8.1/Lumia Cyan over-the-air release.
The problem started when the official update caused problems for people using Nokia Lumias with the BitLocker security encryption system installed. This usually means people who have a work phone which has had BitLocker installed by their employers.
These people who also had 8.1 Preview installed found their phones going into a permanent reboot cycle when they updated to the official public 8.1/Cyan release.
Microsoft hasn't said much, but it appears it's blocked the official update for everyone with 8.1 Preview installed while it comes up with a fix.
"We are currently investigating the issue. We have paused delivery of the update to customers using the Preview for Developers, and will resume once a fix is in place. Customers whose phones have been affected should use the Nokia Software Recovery Tool to return your Lumia to a normal commercial software state before downloading the Lumia Cyan update. More information about the tool can be found atwww.nokia.com/support/recovery-tool."So....here's what to do.
Check here to see if the official 8.1 update has been released for your device.
If it has and you haven't been offered an OTA update, you'll have to restore your phone to WP8 by using the Nokia Software Recovery Tool.
Download it onto your PC - it only works on Windows 7 and 8/8.1...there's no Mac support I'm afraid.
Make sure you have a current back up of your phone stored by Microsoft. Go to Settings > Backup and make sure backup is "on" for everything. Just to be on the safe side, hit "apps and settings" and choose "back up now".
Open the Recovery Tool and plug your phone into your computer. It should recognise your device and offer you the option to restore. At the moment, the Tool is only offering to restore to WP8/Lumia Black. That may change and it should offer a straight restore to the newer WP8.1/Lumia Cyan at some point.
Restore your phone. This will wipe all your apps and info.
Unplug your device from your computer and hit Settings > Phone Update and check for updates. You should be offered the official 8.1/Cyan update over-the-air.
After you've updated - and there may be a couple of updates to do to get fully up-to-date - restore your device by hitting Settings > About > Reset Your Phone.
When the device has reset you'll be offered the option to restore from a saved back-up. Choose this option and - phew - your phone should be back to how it was when your were running WP8.1 Preview, including your Start Screen tile layout.
We'll let you know if Microsoft comes up with a fix that will let Preview users simply update OTA to the official WP8.1/Cyan release and avoid this palaver.
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