What exactly does KB2952664 do?

This "important" update did not work when Windows Update tried to install it automatically. Looking at the KB help article did not help at all.

It is extremely bad to do that about supposed "co,patibility" problems that are left completely undescribed. Which kind of co,patibility problems, and why it is so i,portant that WU needs to install it automatically. If there's a ompatibility problem these problems should be listed (with which kind of applications. Do we use it?

In fact the article was refering to discussions related to an upgrade from a OS version PRIOR to Windows 7; but my Windows 7 installation was not an upgrade.

If this is needed to ensure a correct upgrade to Windows 8, such update should be part of the upgrading process itself, and only when we have a licence for Windows 8 (this requires additional purchase for most users; and may systems will NEVER upgrde windows W8; but possibly to W10; or will be using a clean install only).

DO NOT assume things that will NEVER appear. Notably because this system update can fail and produce errors.

IT FAILED on my installation and I had no idea how to repair it, I had to restore my sytem and disable this update, this costed me a lot of work time.

It appears that it was absolutely not an important update or Microsoft just refuses to say why it is important. We can just look at the list of uddated files and versions. Nothing is said about the compatibility changes. And it CORRUPTED my system which had sever problems when rebooting (nd my system was forced to reboot automatically while I was working and I did not notice the alert about the imminent reboot that appeared in a window hidden behing ,y working winfows.

I've lost hours in a time where I was not ready to reboot to install it (and Windows rebooting abruptly caused my long editing sessions to be lost with its data in progress).

PLEASE MICROSOFT, NEVER classify an update as important and NEVER schedule it for automatic installation when it is absolutely not needed. If it is really needed you MUST say why and explain precisely which kind of problems it should resolve, and what to do for preparing ourself before installing it. Possible caveats and resolutions or workaround should also be listed.

This update should have been let optional and the title should have been more explicit (saying that it was only needed to update to Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 but not for updating for a possible later version which is still not officially released and not supported the same way).

This update should have been only part of the upgrade preparation wizard that could have made a software inventory, listed possible incompatibilties or explained that an update was needed fora correct inventory of existing softwares needing it for correct migration to a new OS.

In Wnidows Udate it should have beenlisted only as "recommended" but NOT "important". Andin all cases the affected softwares or APIs should have been listed precisely.

I really HATE Microsoft when such negligence or abuse of power is made against its users or When Microsoft thinks that no user can understand more technical details. Even if you just include a very summay description, the KB article shold also contain a link to a more technical article even if it is not translated. Users will then seek help with specialists when they need it (and notably when this update fails during installatio nand then corrupts the system, making its boot unstable).

This hyperlink did not tell me nothing!!!!  Waste of a click!!!! So this bs file is not being hidden until Microsoft tells what it is for and why I need it!!!!  I do not plan on upgrading to Win 8!!!!

When this update (KB2952664) came out in April 2014, I wanted Microsoft to answer the following questions before I installed it:

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 and/or Windows 10??
3. What impact/consequences would one experience by initiating an upgrade to Windows 8.x (or Windows 10 when it is available) without previously installing KB2952664?

Microsoft never answered those questions and I just hid KB2952664. Eventually the update disappeared from my hidden list (I assume Microsoft just withdrew the update).

Now, others are seeing this update reappear in the current list of important updates for October.

I just checked, and KB2952664 does not appear in my queue of updates (and it is not in my hidden updates). I have read elsewhere that some people are experiencing problems with the re-released version of KB2952664 (see links below) ... so perhaps the reason I do not see KB2952664 in my queue is that Microsoft has withdrawn KB2952664 yet again?

Here are some links to other discussions on KB2952664:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/KB2952664-Windows-Update-Fails-to-Install-with-Error-Code-80242016-462152.shtml

http://www.infoworld.com/article/2833825/microsoft-windows/windows-7-patch-kb-2952664-fails-with-error-80242016.html

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/47e5b345-8a45-4889-bc86-75a199fb28e9/update-for-windows-7-32bit-kb2952664-failed?forum=w7itprosecurity

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_update/new-windows-update-inconsistency-regarding-update/30c7c7d4-d15b-49ed-a08f-edcf9ac1347b

This update has been re-released this week and appears in Windows Update as "important", even if previously hidden. The KB article has been updated to show the last review (Oct 14) and revision (2.0), but with no additional information about what the update actually does, or whether it serves any purpose at all for those who have no intention of ever "upgrading" from Windows 7 to Windows 8/8.1.

I hid it the first time around after reading this thread, and have not noticed any issues at all caused by doing so. Under the principle of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", I will hide it again.

Microsoft does both its customers and itself a disservice by not providing any meaningful information about this (and many other) updates. This has made me skeptical of the "important" classification, and since first reading this thread, I have researched every non-security update, and found that many are equally superfluous.

When in doubt, I hide the update and wait to see if I experience any of the issues it purports to address. So far, nothing.

Caveat emptor.

Langware, good pursuit; may be useful to consider this:-

I trial any software on the home PC before letting it anywhere near our busy I.T. based office. When 8 arrived it was duly installed and evaluated, but would have caused far too much disruption and cost us thousands in lost business and delays responding to clients. Fixing the PC was easy, just install Classic Shell which has no adware or similar, then turn off the areas on the screen, after all, do we really want or need touch screen on a desktop when typing and eating a greasy chicken leg?

There are advantages to 8.1, it appears to need less performance to run, the home P.C. is an elderly Compaq with a minor memory upgrade and flies now, even though it isn't yet upgraded with an SSD like the office P.C.s

If we update at the office it will be immediately followed by an install of Classic Shell, so the staff member can get on and work without frustration.