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Are the C++ Install options an actual "windows update" with a KB number or are they a 3rd party install option? - why is it good to install these? and If I choose not too will I be missing some windows updates?

thanks

They will only be updated if a previous version had already been installed. Example if you have a c++2005 x86 from the year 2010 installed you'll be updated to the most recent version (c++2005 x86 from 2012 or 2013) but no other version.
These libraries are required by several programs to run, many of them are shipped with a c++ installer but most often this is a very old version with several security holes.

Im using WSUS to update windows 8 and 8.1 laptops etc... so is it worth having it 'checked' for those?

thanks for the help

Of course. Updating obsolete and vulnerable C++ packages should be in your own interest. Additionally, due to SxS DLL hell doesn't exist anymore since Vista, applications requiring older versions of C++ aren't any problem as both packages are kept.