Solved Optional Update KB2995388 ... is it really necessary?

Atomcrusher

New Member
Power User
Messages
196
Location
Western Cape, South Africa
Update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB2995388)
Download size: 61.3 MB - 61.5 MB
You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.
Update type: Optional
Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2995388

How do I determine if these "optional updates" are really necessary for my Laptop?
Here in South Africa ADSL is slow, and expensive :( I have a 4Mbps connection, and I have a data cap of only 10 GB per calendar month.

The never-ending MS updates depletes my data allowance, and I have always wondered how important the "Optional" updates are.

I would appreciate forum member's input on this
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS X54C
    CPU
    Intel Pentium B940 2.00GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
    Motherboard
    OEM - ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Model K54C (CPU 1) Version 1.0 Chipset Vendor Intel Chipset Model
    Memory
    6.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    OEM - Intel Model HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    OEM
    Monitor(s) Displays
    OEM
    Hard Drives
    Manufacturer Hitachi
    Product Family Travelstar
    Series Prefix Standard
    Model Capacity For This Specific Drive 500GB
    PSU
    OEM
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    OEM
    Keyboard
    OEM
    Mouse
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    4 Mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome 64bit
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Billion 400G Wi-fi router
I normal go for them all just to be sure (my internet is half your speed)

But have a look in the link you quoted and see if any of the improvements affect you

For example one of the fixes is an issue playing MP4 files, I have the problem mentioned so hopefully this should fix it

It's optional so wont harm anything if you ignore it
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 3521
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon
    Browser
    IE
I usually only install updates related to drivers and the like (incl defender)- totally ignore anything remotely unnecessary - especially the gazillion GiB of Office updates... but then that's just me (and my slow bandwidth - albeit unlimited...)

:)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    PC-DOS v1.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    IBM
    CPU
    Intel 8088, 4.77MHz
    Memory
    16K, 640K max
    Graphics Card(s)
    What's that?
    Sound Card
    Not quite
    Screen Resolution
    80 X 24 text
    Hard Drives
    dual 160KB 5.25-inch disk drives
Thanks for the two responses above .. appreciate the feedback
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS X54C
    CPU
    Intel Pentium B940 2.00GHz Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
    Motherboard
    OEM - ASUSTeK Computer Inc. Model K54C (CPU 1) Version 1.0 Chipset Vendor Intel Chipset Model
    Memory
    6.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    OEM - Intel Model HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    OEM
    Monitor(s) Displays
    OEM
    Hard Drives
    Manufacturer Hitachi
    Product Family Travelstar
    Series Prefix Standard
    Model Capacity For This Specific Drive 500GB
    PSU
    OEM
    Case
    OEM
    Cooling
    OEM
    Keyboard
    OEM
    Mouse
    Microsoft
    Internet Speed
    4 Mbps ADSL
    Browser
    Chrome 64bit
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Billion 400G Wi-fi router
I normal go for them all just to be sure (my internet is half your speed)

But have a look in the link you quoted and see if any of the improvements affect you

For example one of the fixes is an issue playing MP4 files, I have the problem mentioned so hopefully this should fix it

It's optional so wont harm anything if you ignore it

Actually there is a bunch more in this update. It list 4 things that could be important for 'home' users. But if you read the release notes for 'IT professionals', there's a couple more things in there that can benefit you.

http://www.eightforums.com/windows-...important-wndows-8-1-update-10-13-2014-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel I-7 860
    Motherboard
    Asus P7B
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 580
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer (Primary), Asus (secondary), Sony TV (third)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Kingston 128GB SSD Windows 8 Boot Drive
    WD Black 1 TB (2 ea)
    WD Red 3 TB
    WD Black 500GB
    Keyboard
    MS 1000
    Mouse
    MS Flip
    Internet Speed
    Verizon FIOS 35/35
    Browser
    IE 11, Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari
    Antivirus
    Windows 8 Defender (MS Security Essentials)
Usually optional updates are exactly that, optional. If it was of real importance to the enhancement of your system, it would not be optional. Only by reading exactly what it does can you determine if you need it or not. Although I did not need it, I installed it and suffered no ill effects.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 Update 1 Pro 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pavillion H8-1202
    CPU
    I7-2600 @ 3.4 GHz
    Motherboard
    PEGATRON
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NIVDIA GeForce GT 520
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC656GR CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster S22B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080 32 bit color
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 EVO SSD 500GB
    Keyboard
    Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013
    Mouse
    Logitech M510
Back
Top