KB2952664 Compatibility Update for Windows 7 - Feb. 8

[Brink]

Compatibility update for keeping Windows up-to-date in Windows 7

Applies to: Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Ultimate

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Introduction
This update performs diagnostics on the Windows systems that participate in the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program. The diagnostics evaluate the compatibility status of the Windows ecosystem, and help Microsoft to ensure application and device compatibility for all updates to Windows. There is no GWX or upgrade functionality contained in this update.

How to obtain this update

Method 1: Windows Update

This update is available from Windows Update. For more information about how to run Windows Update, see How to get an update through Windows Update.

Method 2: Microsoft Update Catalog

To get the stand-alone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

References

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to go to the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

File information

The English (United States) version of this software update installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables.

Read more: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2952664/compatibility-update-for-keeping-windows-up-to-date-in-windows-7


Direct download links for KB2952664 MSU file from Microsoft Update Catalog:

:ar: Download KB2952664 MSU for Windows 7 32-bit (x86) - 5.9 MB

:ar: Download KB2952664 MSU for Windows 7 64-bit (x64) - 6.6 MB

 

[Melchior]

MEH it requires a RESTART! meh >_> lol

 

[tetraps]

The update that just won't die.

 

[Melchior]

The update that just won't die.

lol

 

[Brds7t7]

The update that just won't die.

Just keep hiding it, or leave it in the optional section as I do.
It'll keep showing up every time it's updated and a new revised version is published. It's on v23 now, so I can't see it disappearing at all.

I removed that update a long time ago as it was causing constant disk thrashing on my OS HDD at the time. The thrashing stopped after I removed it. Even though I have all my OS on SSDs now, I still won't install that update. Doesn't seem like one that's necessary to Windows functionality anyway. Just a telemetry collector, which should be my choice to install.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Just keep hiding it, or leave it in the optional section as I do.
It'll keep showing up every time it's updated and a new revised version is published. It's on v23 now, so I can't see it disappearing at all.

I removed that update a long time ago as it was causing constant disk thrashing on my OS HDD at the time. The thrashing stopped after I removed it. Even though I have all my OS on SSDs now, I still won't install that update. Doesn't seem like one that's necessary to Windows functionality anyway. Just a telemetry collector, which should be my choice to install.

I agree. Just hide it. It's optional anyway.

 

[goodlad]

according to my logs, I haven't had windows updates since late 2015. I'm thinking of updating to the latest updates but I am worried if telemetry or any other 10 mumbo jumbo is part of the package. Can any one confirm, if I have to remove any of these recommended updates:
https://i.imgur.com/I7QHyfu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kJKFEiW.jpg

 

[Brds7t7]

You haven't installed any since 2015? Yikes!

Ok, firstly I wouldn't recommend skipping security updates at all.
If you want to completely avoid any of the new telemetry updates, then the main ones I would advise skipping are these:

KB2952664
KB3022345
KB3068708
KB3075249
KB3080149

It's possible you may have some of those installed already.

The updates marked "Security Monthly Quality Rollups" will have some some telemetry files packaged in with it (Diagtrack, etc) so you'll have to hide all those (you'll have to hide the previous months after hiding the latest one and keep going back a month and hiding each rollup every time WU runs) and just install the Security-only updates. These no longer come through Windows update though.

Firstly, I would install the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser

Download Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.3 (for IT Professionals) from Official Microsoft Download Center

Then install the ones on the Windows Update list marked Security updates for Windows 7 (not rollup) and Security rollups for .NET Framework. Those are all fine to install.

Then I would run the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser. Set it to Advanced Options and Scan the Offline Catalog Only - this will determine which Security-only updates need to be installed.

It will always tell you that the latest Security Monthly Quality Rollup is missing, but just ignore it, you're only concentrating on the Security-only updates. You're going to have to install them and reboot one by one though so it will take time. And I would advise disconnecting your Internet connection and stopping the Windows update service before running each installer or the installer may stall.

After all that, you can run WU again and install the remaining recommended updates (except the ones listed above).

The instructions are a little basic as I'm trying to type it on a tablet, but I hope that helps?

 

[goodlad]

You haven't installed any since 2015? Yikes!

Ok, firstly I wouldn't recommend skipping security updates at all.
If you want to completely avoid any of the new telemetry updates, then the main ones I would advise skipping are these:

KB2952664
KB3022345
KB3068708
KB3075249
KB3080149

It's possible you may have some of those installed already.

The updates marked "Security Monthly Quality Rollups" will have some some telemetry files packaged in with it (Diagtrack, etc) so you'll have to hide all those (you'll have to hide the previous months after hiding the latest one and keep going back a month and hiding each rollup every time WU runs) and just install the Security-only updates. These no longer come through Windows update though.

Firstly, I would install the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser

Download Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.3 (for IT Professionals) from Official Microsoft Download Center

Then install the ones on the Windows Update list marked Security updates for Windows 7 (not rollup) and Security rollups for .NET Framework. Those are all fine to install.

Then I would run the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyser. Set it to Advanced Options and Scan the Offline Catalog Only - this will determine which Security-only updates need to be installed.

It will always tell you that the latest Security Monthly Quality Rollup is missing, but just ignore it, you're only concentrating on the Security-only updates. You're going to have to install them and reboot one by one though so it will take time. And I would advise disconnecting your Internet connection and stopping the Windows update service before running each installer or the installer may stall.

After all that, you can run WU again and install the remaining recommended updates (except the ones listed above).

The instructions are a little basic as I'm trying to type it on a tablet, but I hope that helps?

thanks mate, I'm gonna try it & yeah the above instructions are perfect Just downloaded Baseline Analyzer, at present running security & framework updates only along with windows defender & software malicious removal tool updates.

Yep, the last windows update was in Dec 2015 I guess. If I recall correctly, I have blocked all of those above listed updates already

 

[Brds7t7]

No problem.

I forgot to mention - if you're having problems with the slow update issue in WU, then the two updates you'll need to install manually are these:

First - https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/3177467/servicing-stack-update-for-windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp

Second - https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/3172605/july-2016-update-rollup-for-windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-s

if you install them in that order, that will fix the updates taking forever to check and install.

Here is my list of Hidden updates (Windows 7 is out of mainstream support now, so I really don't need any of MS "New features" for it - I only want Security updates). I always hide the rollups, otherwise they just stay ticked in my Important list.



And these are the updates I just keep in my Optional list. A couple on the list I posted above don't appear as they've been superseded after removal anyway:

 

[Brink]

Downloads in first post for KB2952664 were updated on February 8th 2018.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Looks like MS is getting ready to "accidentally" upgrade more W7 PCs to W10.

 

[jadinolf]

Looks like MS is getting ready to "accidentally" upgrade more W7 PCs to W10.

Yeah, I had that number memorized ever since the "shove Win 10 down their throats" period.
I hide it every time I encounter it.
Any idea what else that"update" is supposed to do?

 

[Brds7t7]

This wasn't one of the updates which triggered the Windows 10 upgrade. It was pushed out around the same time and worked in conjunction with GWX to collect telemetry for compatibility, but it never triggered the update. The main ones responsible for that were GWX and the WU client updates.
It even states in the article that there is no GWX functionality in this update.

Also, when they pushed out an update to remove all Windows 10 related junk updates, this wasn't one of those they removed. It's been intended to be left on PCs for collecting telemetry and compatibility.

People need to stop worrying about the Windows 10 push happening again - it isn't going to happen. At least, not in the sense that MS is going to force upgrades on people again.

The only way MS might force people to upgrade now is by breaking compatibility of programs so bad in Windows 7 that they have no other choice. Nothing surprises me these days, but I don't think MS will attempt another free upgrade push again after all the backlash. There's even some lawsuits that have been won in some EU countries - the outcome has been that MS has agreed not to force upgrades on users again.

That won't stop MS from pushing out crappy updates though - they're making a habit of that lately!

This update will keep reappearing every time a new revision is issued. So, just avoid it and don't install it. It's basically just a telemetry collector and I have seen no issues with not having it installed on my systems.
Or, install it and use Spybot Anti-Beacon to block the telemetry.

 

[jadinolf]

Thanks for the clarification, Brds7t7

Most appreciated.

 

[Brds7t7]

Thanks for the clarification, Brds7t7

Most appreciated.

No problem mate, it won't do much harm if it is installed by mistake and you have Spybot AB installed. It does a good job of blocking a lot of the telemetry elements of some of these newer updates. I do have this one installed in a couple of VMs and it does seem to be constantly running the diagnostics tracking service.

 

[lehnerus2000]

People need to stop worrying about the Windows 10 push happening again - it isn't going to happen. At least, not in the sense that MS is going to force upgrades on people again.

I wouldn't "put anything past" MS (even criminals are more trustworthy these days).

MS "upgrades" the average user's PC to W10, which bricks it (unsupported hardware) forcing them to buy a new one.

It's the perfect way for MS to boost sales for poor defenceless Intel, who have recently been receiving bad publicity for their incompetence/negligence.