Released by Microsoft without documentation, it's safe to hide this patch if you don't want Windows 10 or its related updates There are reports this morning about a new patch, KB 3150513, appearing on Windows 8.1 systems — and probably lurking on Windows 10 systems, too. Microsoft has not posted a KB article, and there’s no notification about the patch in the official Windows Update list. Sound familiar? Fortunately, poster PeterBisco on the Microsoft Answers forum, has an explanation (originally posted on the Polish forum): I have made a look into Windows8.1 version of this update and found this: This update doesn’t contain binary code. It just contains new data for AppRaiser (Windows 10 Compatibility tool). It contains files as: hwcompat_th1.txt hwcompat_th2.txt hwexclude_rs1.txt hwexclude_th1.txt hwexclude_th2.txt wucompat.txt appraiser.sdb hwcompat_rs1.txt appraiser_data.ini appraiser_telemetryrunlist.xml So if you want to upgrade to Windows 10, and you have all the Windows 10 related updates installed (e.g. KB3035583, KB2952664, etc.) then you are safe to install this patch. If you don’t want Windows 10 or its related updates and you have hide them, you can hide this one as well, if you wish. AppRaiser is the Windows 10 compatibility appraiser, which you can download and run manually. It’s the program that’s supposed to tell you if you’re running any software or have any hardware that will mess with the Windows 10 upgrade. Hiding this patch sounds like good advice to me. Related content opinion On a personal note... Woody Leonhard looks back a bit, looks ahead to retirement — and shares good news about who's picking up the Windows patching torch. By Woody Leonhard Nov 09, 2020 3 mins Small and Medium Business Computers Windows news analysis Get Microsoft's October patches installed — and seriously consider Win10 2004 Odd ancillary patches have their problems, but the mainstream October patches look pretty reliable. The big question: Is Win10 version 2004 up to your stability standards. I’m skeptical -- especially because it has few worthwhile improvements. By Woody Leonhard Oct 30, 2020 6 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Computers news analysis Microsoft Patch Alert: October 2020 The big news with this month’s patches – aside from the usual smorgasbord of strange errors – has more to do with the patches that are outside the regular cumulative update stream. Remarkably, we didn’t get any security fixes By Woody Leonhard Oct 22, 2020 189 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Office Microsoft news analysis With Patch Tuesday here, be sure Windows Update is paused With all the flotsam floating around, it’s easy to lose sight of Second Tuesdays. October’s arrives tomorrow and, with it, another round of Windows and Office patches. Take a minute to make sure you aren’t in the front lines, as eve By Woody Leonhard Oct 12, 2020 5 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Windows Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe