Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7 (kb 2952664)

[ky331]

Compatibility update for upgrading Windows 7 (kb 2952664) appeared this morning as an IMPORTANT update for Win7 (x64).

The information about it is minimal:   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2952664 :  This update helps Microsoft make improvements to the current operating system in order to ease the upgrade experience to the latest version of Windows.

So is this required only for Win7 users who intend to upgrade to Win8?   Trying to figure this one out.

[LilBambi]

Thanks ky331!

Out of band, must be important or they wouldn't have done it. Wonder what's up with that?

:breakkie:

[LilBambi]

Some folks having trouble upgrading to Windows 8 from Windows 7?

[MikeW]

Listed as optional.
Appears to me only for AMD processors
Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
 

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7
File property

Value

File name Amd64_0e06d2ed6f93d560f6a34c100512684b_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18444_none_8c92b13960b1699a.manifest
File version Not applicable
File size 727
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 06:59
Platform Not applicable
File name Amd64_423d04ba87e48f1e56d8e4abd90cb62b_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18444_none_692ba3b4a3cfb708.manifest
File version Not applicable
File size 739
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 06:59
Platform Not applicable
File name Amd64_decd919d90e8825e76adc9988e2245f0_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18444_none_a1a3cdcea8866bdb.manifest
File version Not applicable
File size 729
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 06:59
Platform Not applicable
File name Amd64_microsoft-windows-a..de-compat-telemetry_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18444_none_e5b1b7ec100d8e3b.manifest
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File size 19,324
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 02:56
Platform Not applicable
File name Amd64_microsoft-windows-a..ence-telemetry-sdbs_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18444_none_66295be460b59c2a.manifest
File version Not applicable
File size 5,799
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 02:56
Platform Not applicable
File name Amd64_microsoft-windows-a..rience-program-data_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.18444_none_cf6dcf3199c084a3.manifest
File version Not applicable
File size 11,822
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 06:59
Platform Not applicable
File name Update.mum
File version Not applicable
File size 1,642
Date (UTC) 14-Apr-2014
Time (UTC) 06:59
Platform Not applicable

[winchester73]

Looks like about 30 programs, most of which are compatibility checkers and System Database files ... for those with no intention of invoking the "upgrade experience to the latest version of Windows", I doubt there is a compelling reason to install this update patch.

[winchester73]

Some folks having trouble upgrading to Windows 8 from Windows 7?

Personally, I'd do a fresh install.

[ky331]

So are you saying it's purely optional... only required for those updating 7 to 8/8.1?   If so, for Win7 users who don't plan on "upgrading", should we hide this update?   Or should we install it regardless?   Trying to figure out what's best to do...

[MikeW]

User choice! if you are not planning to upgrade to 8.1 you don't need it, which it is why it is optional. I have just hidden it, as I have absolutely no desire for Win 8 in any variation :D

[Corrine]

No, it isn't an "out of band" update as those are only released addressing Security Advisories where there are active attacks.

As published in 2006 on this TechNet blog, .NET Framework 1.1 Servicing Releases on Windows Update for 64-bit Systems - Update Deployment for Visual Studio and the .NET Framework:

Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month and Windows Update releases non-security updates on the fourth Tuesday of every month. 

A bit more recent is this article by Larry Seltzer, The Other Patch Tuesday is the Fourth.

Although not related to the question about KB 2952664, looking at Office Updates (sorted by the tag for public update), it appears that Microsoft Office has been working to include both security and non-security updates with the 2nd Tuesday of the month updates.

Appears to me only for AMD processors

If you expand the "Additional File Information" section, you'll realize that it isn't AMD processors.  Rather, Amd64_ refers to files for supported 64-bit and X86_  for 32-bit.

[ky331]

So Corrine, what is your bottom line advice for this particular update?

For Win7 users to install it, if they intend to upgrade to Win8.

For Win7 users to hide it, if they don't intend to upgrade to Win8?

Or for Win7 users to install it, regardless??

[Or something else????]

[Corrine]

That is something you need to decide for yourself.  It certainly will not hurt anything to install the update.  However, you can also elect to hide it. 

Consider the age of your computer.  My laptop is rapidly approaching 6 years old.  It started with Windows Vista, I beta-tested Windows 7 on it and then updated to the final version of Windows 7.  I do not plan to update it to Windows 8.  Then again, if you have a newer computer, you may indeed want to update it.  After all, who knows what the next OS will bring and when?  Rumors have been aaround for a while about Windows 9/Threshold.  See, for example, this article published today Windows 9 release date, news and rumors and Paul Thurrott's prediction from January, "Threshold" to be Called Windows 9, Ship in April 2015. 

[ky331]

While some mentioned that the update was offered to them as OPTIONAL, on my system, Windows Update initially listed it as IMPORTANT.

This system is "relatively" new... I have no plans to upgrade from Win7 to Win8/8.1... but as long as it won't hurt anything, I decided to install it.

After installation, in the update history, it was now cited only as RECOMMENDED.

[LilBambi]

Ah, OK. This makes more sense now.

I wonder if the difference as to whether it is considered Important or Optional depends on the hardware in the system.

[winchester73]

Nobody seems to know much about this update, or if someone does they aren't talking publicly ...  there is some speculation that it may be related to a recent change in Windows 8.1 upgrade behavior.

[Corrine]

Seems as though we've already covered the same thing in our discussion as here:  Microsoft confuses Windows 7 users with sudden release of KB 2952664 | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld.