What exactly does KB2952664 do?

Microsoft and many others who provide software updates rarely if ever are too descriptive about exactly what an update does, so I don't see what all the fuss is about re this one.

Re it's rating as 'important', Microsoft obviously feel that it is for those who are planning to upgrade to Windows 8, and again, why is that a problem in this case? Upgrading from one OS to another has never been an exact science for many, and Microsoft are trying to make that part better at least, bearing in mind that they have the devil's own job encouraging users to stay with an front end that is radically different.

There were many who did have issues upgrading in the first months of Windows 8, so one can hardly blame Microsoft for trying to make it all better. Quite how that equates to Microsoft being secretive is eluding me at present.

If computer users think that Microsoft is underhand, why aren't they using Linux or MacOS. It isn't like there are no alternatives, although in my opinion, Linux and MacOS are poor alternatives.. :-)

Mike,

I am quite happy with Windows 7 .... no need for me to pre-empt Google and load Linux at this time since Extended Support for Windows 7 lasts until 2020. By that time, I suspect there will be other Operating Systems to choose from.

As far as Linux having a critical flaw for the last 15 years, I won't dispute that ... but Microsoft also has its share of software with long-standing critical flaws:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2158860/microsoft-will-patch-ie-zero-day-but-doesnt-give-timeline.html

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9242469/Hackers_exploit_critical_IE_bug_Microsoft_promises_patch

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231396/Microsoft_confirms_hackers_exploiting_critical_IE_bug_promises_patch

But this thread is not about vendors who have software products with long standing bugs ... this thread is about Microsoft refusing to provide details to their customers about a specific fix (KB2952664) that is supposed to "make improvements to the current operating system in order to ease the upgrade experience to the latest version of Windows."

You have to admit the description provided by Microsoft is rather vague .... and since the fix is rated as "important", then I believe customers have a right/need to know what makes this fix so important? What is wrong with the current upgrade process that needs to be fixed, and how does KB2952664 fix it? And what would the consequences be if one initiated an upgrade to Windows 8.x without first installing KB2952664?

It's not a lot to ask ... Microsoft could easily answer these questions ... if they truly cared about good customer service (and had nothing to hide).

Why don't you pre-empt Google OS and load Linux? All that you would have to worry about then is a critical kernel flaw which has been in Linux for the last 15 years..

I don't think we will ever get a clear response from Microsoft answering these questions:

1. Exactly what is wrong with the current upgrade experience that warrants a fix to ease the upgrade experience?
2. In what ways does KB2952664 improve the process of upgrading to Windows 8.x??
3. What impact/consequences would one experience by initiating an upgrade to Windows 8.x without previously installing KB2952664?

I have just hidden the update and will never install it (because I will never install Windows 8.x, 9.x, etc on my computer) ... I am quite happy with Windows 7, and by the time it reaches end-of-support, Google will probably have a competitive OS.

Could well be that this kb2952664 so called critical update could well be hiding the Windows Activation Technology software to detect the non-genuine systems installed, orpirate copies.. I certainly wouldnt be surprised considering the vagueness of Microsofts answers and i came on here looking for that specifically because i had become suss that this update or one of only a few updates i have isolated .. do infact have the W.A.T **** EMBEDDED IN IT SOMEWHERE... LOL.. AND OF COURSE, IF IT IS, THE THEY are not going to tell us that, are they ?.. Anyway, each to our own assumptions i spose.. Have nice day peoples :-)