Windows update: KB 976902

I just saw this update, description is a bit short and leaves questions, but the more info link provided by MS leads to Not found error. Anyone knows more about this update?
"Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems(KB976902)
Download size: 10.2 MB
Update type: Important
Install this update to enable future updates to install succesfully on all editions of Windows 7 or Windows Servers 2008 R2. This update may be required before selected future updates can be installed. After you install this item, it cannot be removed.
More information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976902"

 

WOW - lk @ ALL those VIEWS! Ya really hit the panic button with this one! I doubt it's much to fret for the moment.

 

imo it could be something for the upcoming sp1 update. i installed it without isuses..

 

Yeah, I got it on my desktop with some other 64 bit updates. I wasn't worried about it UNTIL NOW ...

LOL!

 

That sounds about right.

 

correction this IS the update that is required to install the upcoming sp1. i confirmed this with ms through my technet account.

 

OK, thanks for the info zfactor.

 

Thanks for the info

Woow, indeed, and even with a neutral title, if I changed in something more panicky/scarier, it probably would more like if I hit a Nuclear attack warning button instead of the panic button.

 

why are people so worried?
vista has the same sort of updates before service packs its nothing new.

 

This update patch has been withdrawn by Microsoft without further explanation.

 

Here is the official response from Microsoft about this update:

On Tuesday Microsoft released KB 976902 to customers of Windows 7 through Windows Update. This update was pre-maturely released in English and the KB article had not been published yet. We are in the process of releasing the KB Article so users have more information about the update. This update is a Servicing Stack Update, which can’t be uninstalled. The update will be released at a later date, and it will be required to ensure compatibility with some future updates.

If you have already installed the update, there is no action required – there is no impact from the update being on your system. We apologize for any confusion this update may have caused.

Also, for extra context – Microsoft did a similar update when we were about to release the SP1 beta (what’s known as a “service stack” update – it helps the OS recognize and work better with the service pack code). As things like a service pack in development hit new milestones (i.e. we just hit RC, before that it was beta), the service stack update gets updated. That’s why folks don’t need to worry about removing it

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the files updated from this are the following:

PkgMgr.exe
CbsCore.dll
cmiv2.dll
drvstore.dll
fastprox.dll
helpcins.dll
smiengine.dll
wbemcomn.dll
wbemcore.dll
wcp.dll
wdscore.dll

the above files will now be version 6.1.7601.17105

now the crazy thing about this update is the file version dont even get changed (properly)

the original version of the above files is 7600.16385 the ones from the update are simply extracted to a folder C:\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft-windows-servicingstack_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7601.17105_non e_0b7293d225839c39 and seemingly just sit there. the other odd thing is the version of the files from this update are the same as the ones from the win 7 sp1 rc released not to long ago. imo they released this update to soon and the files will later once again be either changed or updated to the correct ones for the actual rtm release of win 7 sp1 update.

hope this helps understand this mess of a update lol

 

Thanks for the information !

Microsoft sure created a big mess with the update and pullback.

 

This update got automatically installed on my Windows 7 x64 this week and cannot be uninstalled.... Let's see what happens.

 

Well Microsoft have said it will all be OK, so it must be OK.

*He says slightly sarcastically*

 

I have it on my machine as well. I'm not at all worried about the thing, but it does make me think about going back to my old habit of only notifying me about updates instead of automatically installing them. That way I can avoid screwy patches.

 

That's what I do anyway, but I do tend to install them if they are important without checking on them. You do kind of expect Mickeysoft to be a bit more on the ball with their own updates ... right?

 

Now why would I expect that?

 

Yeah, sorry, what was I thinking?

 

The article linked by Ronjor pretty much explains it. Seems like someone at Microsoft pressed the red "DO NOT PUT ME YET" button before the release date.

 

Yeah, I can dig that.

"but this incident illustrates the hysteria that can ensue when the world’s largest software company fails — for whatever reason — to be fully transparent with a user base that has come to expect detailed advisories with every patch."

*Scratches chin & looks thoughtfully into the middle distance*

 

speaking about KB976902, read this recent Infoworld article.