Windows 7 unresponsive at times

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  1. Posts : 44
    Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit
       #1

    Windows 7 unresponsive at times


    There are times when Windows 7 (Professional 64-Bit) is unresponsive. I can move the mouse but when I click or double-click on anything, such as an icon or the start button, it does not respond. Then later, maybe 3 minutes later, all of the things that I clicked/double-clicked begin responding. It's as if all my clicks were stored in a stack and processed later after some higher priority process had finished. It seems that this "higher priority process" that hogs the machine for a moment is the Windows Update because whenever this happens I see the notification, "New Windows updates are available", and then my prior clicks begin to respond.

    I have Windows Update set to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download or install them". Is what I'm experiencing normal? It's so annoying, I wish it didn't behave this way. Can someone please help me with this problem?

    Thanks in advance for your much appreciated help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 714
    Win 7 Pro, SP1, x86, Win-11/Pro/64
       #2

    MS has more or less declared Win-7 'Persona non grata', so any updates they put out may do more harm than good, trying to prompt us to dump it for Windows 10.


    So what I and many other users have done is to just SHUT OFF MS updates.


    As XP was getting old, many of MS's updates were basically trashing the OS. I had to repair several PC's that were effectively DEAD after an MS update, and then I just turned MS Updates OFF....end of problems.


    Just a suggestion, from a retired PC Service Tech.


      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #3

    Hi MTL777,

    MTL777 said:
    It seems that this "higher priority process" that hogs the machine for a moment is the Windows Update because whenever this happens I see the notification, "New Windows updates are available", and then my prior clicks begin to respond.

    I have Windows Update set to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download or install them". Is what I'm experiencing normal? It's so annoying, I wish it didn't behave this way. Can someone please help me with this problem?
    Depending on the specifications of your computer, Windows Update can very well be the cause of this.
    Most of us set WU to Never check for updates (not recommended).

    I hope this helps!
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 44
    Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you so much, Techno and Paul! I guess that's just what I'll do -- turn off Windows updates. Or maybe I can turn it on once in a while to see what's available but install only any new Windows Defender definition updates.



    BTW do you use Windows Defender as your anti-virus? Is Windows Defender a no-no too?



    Are you completely turning Windows Update off and never turn it on again, ever? And you never have concerns about any new security holes in the OS that may come up?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #5

    I have turned WU to Never check for updates
    Once a month I install the Security ONLY updates and run WU manually to see if there is any Office updates.
    You find the Security ONLY updates here
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #6

    I doubt WU is the prroblem. I've shut off WU back in December (actually, I was forced to restore back to then) and I started to get the same hang up the OP has around a couple of monhs ago. It happens, maybe, once every week or two and lasts for only a minute or less.

    I suspect some program, such as an AV, etc. may have had a bad update.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 44
    Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Megahertz07 said:
    I have turned WU to Never check for updates
    Once a month I install the Security ONLY updates and run WU manually to see if there is any Office updates.
    You find the Security ONLY updates here

    Thank you for this good info! I'll do the same thing as you.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,021
    Win 7 HP SP1 64-bit Vista HB SP2 32-bit Linux Mint 18.3
       #8

    Hi MTL777,

    MTL777 said:
    Or maybe I can turn it on once in a while to see what's available but install only any new Windows Defender definition updates.

    Are you completely turning Windows Update off and never turn it on again, ever? And you never have concerns about any new security holes in the OS that may come up?
    After setting WU to Never check for updates (not recommended), you can run WU manually when you want to. Then install any updates that you feel are necessary. Most people who go along this route install the Security Only Updates, and of course .NET Framework and IE maybe!

    I hope this helps!
    Last edited by Paul Black; 26 Sep 2018 at 09:33.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #9

    Megahertz07 said:
    I have turned WU to Never check for updates
    Once a month I install the Security ONLY updates and run WU manually to see if there is any Office updates.
    You find the Security ONLY updates here
    Actually, as I did. Nothing affects W7 as negatively as updating does
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,351
    Windows 7 HP 64
       #10

    MTL777, did you find a solution to your issue (Windows 7 unresponsive at times)?
      My Computers


 
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