W7 Update Issues Unbelievable

As mentioned my Windows Update settings are set to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them".

Since this installation I noticed that Windows Update checks for updates once a day and this is a few minutes after the first boot of the day. This is probably something to do with the latest Windows Update Agent.

I am guessing that if this is correct, it is a good way to know if Windows Update is actually working as it will show that an update check takes place every day and we are being properly informed of the latest updates. I don’t think this used to be the case in the past.

News on my desktop clean install of Windows 7 64-bit. The story so far.


I did a clean install of Windows 7 64-bit (pre-SP1) on my desktop.


I then installed SP1 for Windows 7 (windows6.1-KB976932-X64). Once I connected to the internet these updates automatically further installed:
Windows Update Agent 7.6.7600.320, KB915597 and KB958488.


I manually installed the following, which I found were better installed without an internet connection:
KB3102810, KB3138612, KB3153199, KB971033, KB3145739


I remember seeing something about KB976902 although I didn’t install it.


I downloaded and used this Microsoft application plenty of times and on multiple occasions: ‘WindowsUpdateDiagnostic’. All this and other tasks included plenty manual restarts! If I want to say anything about this tool it is very powerful as it appears to reset Windows Update but also clears out many existing issues. In terms of your update history it will be found in Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Update\View update history\Installed Updates as view update history is emptied. I think this also empties and resets the data at C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. To be honest I now consider this the #1 tool in resolving problems so long as you have initially installed the correct KBs and are not afraid to use it.


I also followed ThrashZone’s advice of changing the settings to ‘never check for updates’ and back to ‘check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.’


Is this a definite guide? No. Is there any logic to this? Maybe but I can’t figure it out. Only Microsoft knows and they are not telling us.



Do I feel as though I am wasting my time and life with Microsoft Update: Yes (because I could be doing something better...) and No (because I value my computer security).


Have I developed WUCD (Windows Update Compulsive Disorder)?: Most likely.

I read through the Microsoft article. Many thanks for letting me know.

The convenience package is listed here (must be opened in IE for now) but will this always be just from SP1 to April 2016 or will Microsoft update it regularly? Isn't this a sort of unofficial SP2?

If my understanding is correct all KBs (single updates) will be moved from the Microsoft Update Catalog and not here (as an example).

While this appears mainly positive it will only be useful to someone with this knowledge. To the novice who is reinstalling their operating system or having Windows Update problems how is this actually going to help them? I am not too sure if KB3125574 can be installed on an operating system with partial updates or if it is only applicable for a clean install with SP1?