What exactly does KB2952664 do?

But what exactly is wrong with the upGRADE process now, and how will it be improved?

Very good question.

The description Microsoft provided with KB2952664 states this:

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

Microsoft:  please answer 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 TWICE replied to their feedback form.  Why twice?  Because I don't like that I keep getting the icon telling me that there is an update I need to do, and I wasn't anxious to hide it without know what it was and why microsoft considered it an important update.

I'm glad I finally got the thought to google "microsoft kb 2952664" and found this.  In fact I had to read the original post a few times because it was so much like what I posted I thought all feedback maybe went to this forum and THIS was MY response!  I didn't save a copy but it really sounded exactly like what I posted.

I'm with Langware.  There's a difference with disclosing confidential info and explaining under what circumstances you need this upgrade, and/or what it does.

1. It makes the user more used to some of the changes, so that they are not as upset as... well let's be generous and say "many"... users are going to windows 8.
2. It fixes some flaw(s) in the upgrade process, is too late to get it into the box for Win8 upgrades, and would be too late to make it automatic once you upgrade Win8.
3. It simply does something that makes the upgrade process smoother, no real harm but still would avoid some problems that may be fixable afterwards... or makes the upgrade go faster, etc.

I guess I can see the purpose of the update, and maybe even making it important.  Why?  Because maybe they feel it's not worth the price to reprint Win8 upgrade boxes or to change the actual process on the disks, and if you figure you won't upgrade for a year or so, you'll likely forget if you hide it now.

Still, there is no excuse for their being evasive... unless maybe it's number 1 above.  They want to get you used to those changes, and figure that this will make more users be willing to make the jump.  Other than total arrogance, that's the only reason I can see for them being so evasive.

That really is the reason I am so unwilling to install this update.  I don't want to be stuck getting changes I might not be happy with (and since there is no clue as to what those are, I have to suspect that I might).

BTW, I suspect that they DO occasionally change the box or the disks for the upgrade.  I think NEW upgrades shipped go to Win 8.1... but I guess it's possible that they don't and do it via Windows Update afterwards.  Also there will always be old disks out there whether it be old stock, or someone who bought a PC just before Win8 came out who got a free upgrade disk or something.

Like langware, I do not upgrade Windows; I typically get the latest when I replace my PC, which is generally 3-4 years.  If it hasn't changed, then I still have the same windows, but I think it's always changed.  If I bought one today I'd likely see if I could still get Win7.

Now if I had to buy one today AND couldn't get Win7, AND they fix things in Win9, that might be the first time I ever upgraded Windows on an existing PC.

In any case, I have read enough here that I will hide this update.  I think it's the first "important" update I have not installed and not hidden.  *** Correction, just checked... I also hid the IE10 andd IE11 "important" upgrade so I still have IE9.  But then again I use Firefox most of the time anyway.

OK, I should have read the rest of the google list (or at least more of it).

There's an infoworld article, lots of confusion and speculation but no more answers than here (in other words, nothing).

Interesting point.  After I hid it, it shows as  "recommended", unlike IE10 and IE11 which still show as "important".  People have been reporting too that it shows as merely "recommended" when they install it.  So it's like they're rewriting history.  I DID restore it and do another scan and it does still show as "important" so they still want you to install it, after which they can say they never said it was important.

Meanwhile, a number of people reported that installing it made their system hang, and uninstalling it fixed the problem.  Understandable that has to be taken with a grain of salt because it may be a coincidence, but there may be some problems with it.

For me; I have it hidden and that's likely going to be the end of it.

@Nirmal S (and all other Forum Moderators):

DO NOT mark any reply to this thread as an "Answer". I am actively monitoring this thread. When I feel that an "answer" has been posted, I will mark it as such. Until then, this thread remains unanswered.

The following questions must be answered before this thread can be marked as "Answered":

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?

Thanks for following this through..I share your concerns and it's only at moments like this that I do any deeper research on updates.

I will not be downgrading to W8 in any form.

Wonder what it is about dvd playback that this KB brings to the table .. cinavia? or such..

Anyway "I guess I'll just quit whining about it and just hide the update."

;)