Microsoft strips some Windows 7 users of IE11 patch privileges (Computerworld.com)

It isn't unusual that a prerequisite is required in order to successfully install an update. That is all this is. Without installing the prerequisite update, there is the likelihood of compatibility issues.

For our purposes with the June update, we're looking at the information for Consumers. From the Update FAQ for MS14-035:

There are multiple updates listed for Internet Explorer 11. Do I need to install all the updates?

No. Depending on how your system is configured to receive updates, only one of the updates for Internet Explorer 11 may apply.

For systems running Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2:


  • The 2957689 update is for systems that have the 2929437 update installed. (Consumer)
    [*]The 2963950 update is for systems without the 2929437 update installed. Note that the 2963950 update is only available for customers managing updates using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), Windows Intune, or System Center Configuration Manager.     (Enterprise)

{SNIP}

For Internet Explorer 11, are there any prerequisites for the 2957689 update?

{SNIP}

Customers running Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, must first install the 2929437 update released in April, 2014 before installing the 2957689 update. For more information about this prerequisite update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2929437.[Bold added]
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Let's go back to May.

Microsoft ended up issuing a separate update for those who had not installed the prerequisite update -- KB 2961851, MS14-029: Security update for Internet Explorer 11 for systems that do not have update 2919355 (for Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2) or update 2929437 (for Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) installed: May 13, 2014. With that update, Microsoft included the following statement:

Important note for Internet Explorer 11 systems This update applies only to computers that are running Internet Explorer 11 and that do have update 2919355 (for Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2) or update 2929437 (for Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) installed. All future security and nonsecurity updates for Internet Explorer 11 require update 2919355 or update 2929437 to be installed in order to receive updates. We recommend that you install update 2919355 or update 2929437 in order to receive continued future updates.

See Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2961851 for systems that do not have update 2919355 (for Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2) or update 2929437 (for Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) installed.
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Thus, the security update for IE11 in May included two separate patches for systems running Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2:

  • The 2953522 update was for systems that have the 2929437 update installed.
  • The 2961851 update was for systems without the 2929437 update installed.



Now, looking back at April and the description of the KB2929437 prerequisite for consumers, Description of the security update for Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: April 8, 2014:

The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Update for April, 2014 (2929437) is a cumulative update for Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. In addition to the fixes addressed by Microsoft Security Bulletin MS14-018 and previous updates for Internet Explorer 11 on these operating systems, update 2929437 includes new enhancements for Internet Explorer 11 as described in the "New for Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2" section.
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Note the "New for Internet Explorer 11..." section. Those systems that did not install the prerequisite did not get the "new" information. As a result, in May, Microsoft found it necessary to issue two separate updates for IE 11. One for those with the April update and another for those without the update.



Personally, I think Greg Keizer would have performed a better service to his readers by explaining the importance of the April Cumulative Security Update for IE 11 instead of playing the sensationalist card that, unfortunately, the press too frequently resorts to.
 
Corrine said:
Personally, I think Greg Keizer would have performed a better service to his readers by explaining the importance of the April Cumulative Security Update for IE 11 instead of playing the sensationalist card that, unfortunately, the press too frequently resorts to.
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I agree. I should have posted more about the actual reason Microsoft was 'withholding' the update, rather than continue with the sensationalism of the headline. You did a thorough job of clarifying it Corrine. Thanks!
 

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