This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Key changes include:
- Improves the efficiency of evaluating newer updates, thereby reducing the time it takes to install new Windows updates.
- Reclassifies the update as security with a severity rating of critical. For more information, go to the following Microsoft blog page: Windows 7 servicing stack updates: managing change and appreciating cumulative updates.
Install this servicing stack update before installing the latest monthly security update to mitigate a known issue where a monthly security update installation fails, and you receive a 0x8000FFFF error.
Microsoft strongly recommends you always install the latest servicing stack update (SSU) for your operating system before installing the latest monthly security update. Installing servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft security fixes.