1. What is it?
2. Do I need it?
3. If not needed, how can you stop the constant updates, every time I start my Laptop?

I have NEVER had this many updates. EVER.

I had to install 'Microsoft .NET Framework 4' because I tried Microsoft Expression 4 and the installation said that I also needed to install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.
Having installed both these, I then decided to un-install both.

But, since then, all I get are the constant updates to Microsoft .NET Framework 4.