What exactly does KB2952664 do?

Anonymous
2014-04-27T00:12:24+00:00

KB2952664 was published on April 22, 2014 and appears in my Windows Update List (I am running Windows 7 Pro - 64 bit).

The description of this update is vague:  "This update helps Microsoft make improvements to the current operating system in order to ease the upgrade experience to the latest version of Windows."

Anyone have more information on what this update actually does? If its sole purpose is to ease the "upgrade" from Windows 7 to Windows 8 (or 8.1 or 8.1 update), then I'll just permanently hide KB2952664 (I have no desire or intention to "upgrade" my Windows 7 system to any flavor of Windows 8).

If its purpose is to ease what would be a true Windows 7 upgrade to a yet-to-be-announced Windows 7 SP2, then I'll keep it (but still would like to have more information about what KB2952664 actually does before installing).

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-04-29T16:37:43+00:00

    We are not party to every little change which the update will make. You see as much as we do in a search..

    A Recommended Update.

    "This update helps Microsoft make improvements to the current operating system in order to ease the upgrade experience to the latest version of Windows."

    It only applies if the user is going to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 8.1. It does not apply if the user intends to clean install Windows 8.1.

    If you intend to neither of the above, it is quite safe to hide the update and forget about it. There will be no ill effects.

    Microsoft see it as important because it IS if the user intends to upgrade to Windows 8.1 at some point in the future, and Microsoft assumes that users will do this. There is nothing more that can be said.. :-)

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-04-29T16:12:13+00:00

    Ratandeep,

    Your reply did not help me.

    It was too general and did not address the specific questions I asked. You provided a generic link to instructions on how to hide an update. I already know how to hide an update. You stated that KB2952664 makes the Windows upgrade process easier (but you did not explain how the upgrade process is made easier, and what impact there might be if one ignores this update).

    I would like to know what (specifically) this update (KB2952664) does to my computer, and whether it is safe to hide and ignore this specific update (if I have no intention of ever upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8 or any of its flavors)?

    What is it about KB2952664 that makes Microsoft label it as "important" rather than "optional"?

    Please address my specific questions about KB2952664 rather than providing generic replies.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-04-29T11:52:47+00:00

    Hello,

    Thank you for your response.

    As I mentioned earlier that, this update is only meant for making upgrade process easier. There is no other purpose of this update.

    You may hide an update, however, it is not recommended by Microsoft.

    Refer this link:

    http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff382716.aspx

    I hope this helps.

    Thank you

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-04-29T01:12:34+00:00

    It would be nice if someone from Microsoft would answer these questions:

    1. What exactly does KB2952664 do?
    2. If one is running Windows 7 and has no plans for upgrading to Windows 8, can KB2952664 safely be hidden and ignored?

    The information in this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2952664/en-us

    ...  does not answer the above questions.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-04-28T22:46:20+00:00

    I also question the vagueness Microsoft has provided as to what this patch is intended to do as well as the "important" classification given.  I already have Windows 8.1 on a Surface but don't intend to upgrade/downgrade my Windows 7 Ultimate Desktop to anything W8.

    If it isn't necessary, other than to prep for an OS upgrade, I plan to keep any potential bloat off my W7 Desktop and wait for perhaps a "Windows 9" release and will load any prerequisites for upgrade at that time.

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