Every time I install Windows Update my computer slows way down

[narissa]

I just purchased a new Dell XPS 17.3" Laptop. It worked great, running on the wifi internet about 15/mbps. Then it automatically began downloading and installing windows updates. It took over 10 hours to install the updates. After that it ran at 1-2/mbps! I restored to a previous time (prior to the updates) and it great worked again. Then Windows Update installed again. It installed over 75 updates, but in just a half hour. Then it slowed again. I restored again and now I have turned off Windows Update.

How do I fix this?

I'm still within Best Buy's warranty period. Should I return it? I'd prefer to fix it, I've already transferred all my data.

Thanks for your help. -N

Windows 7
8GB RAM
1TB Hard Drive
Intel i7 Processor
Dell XPS 17.3"

 

[tman69]

you could return it and get a replacement--then bring it home and see if the same thing happens--that would eliminate the 'machine' as the source of the problem.

you could read the description of each update to see if one or more could be the cause of the problem (in my experience, windows 'security' updates have a bad habit of changing settings on a machine--for security reasons--that's why I, personally, keep windows updates turned off) of course reading all the white papers will take a lot of time.

you could just leave 'updates' turned off--although most people will disagree with this decision--I, myself, turned off windows updates right after I installed the OS and have 'never' had a problem--but I maintain my anti virus and anti malware apps and always pay attention to what my machine is doing (am a bit OCD)...so...that's all the advice I can offer.

 

[narissa]

Thanks tman69. I'm fine not having Windows Update. I use Webroot for security but can always just reformat if it is just a software issue.

How long has it been working without updating windows? Any other downside I should know about if I have to do that long term?

Naturally I like to just have Windows Update working properly but it's not clear to me why I would this issue and someone else wouldn't also have the issue is they did the same updates? Is the update the issue or the installer?

Thanks again tman69. Until I get a better idea I'm taking your advice and just leaving it off.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums Narissa.

From a security standpoint alone I would not recommend disabling Windows Updates.

Please download and run the System Updates Readiness Tool as this may fix underlying problems when trying to update your computer: Download: System Update Readiness Tool for Windows 7 (KB947821) [February 2012] - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

In addition, have you tried to install SP1? If not, you can get it here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/install-windows-7-service-pack-1

Further SP1 support here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2498452

Also, it won't hurt to contact Best Buy and see what they have to say. You may as well make use of your warranty while you still have it.

 

[karlsnooks]

Install the updates. They were created and released for very good reasons and at great expense to Microsoft.

Install the updates.

Install the updates.

Some of them are critical for security reasons.

What I suggest is that you:
WIN | type Windows Update | ENTER
Change settings (left-hand side) |
there will be four checkmark boxes, Checkmark ALL of them |
above the checkmark boxes, you will see a dropdown box
the drop down box, probably shows:
Install updates automatically (recommended) |
using the arrow in the dropdown box, select Never check for updates |
Don't worry about the dire icon with a rec X |
click on OK at the bottom |

WIN=key with Microsoft logo on top

This is going to stop Win 7 from trying to update.

You still want to update.
I'm going to give you a procedure for updating. Please carry out that procedure, precisely as written.
There are a couple of updates which will take forever and a day. Just be patient and let them finish.
There is a note about this in the procedure I'm giving.

UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.
=======================================

 

[tman69]

narissa,

"How long has it been working without updating windows? Any other downside I should know about if I have to do that long term?"

three years with NO updates--no downsides that I've experienced

IMO--most people truly believe that they 'must' protect themselves with 'security' updates--but--no one has ever given me a 'good valid' reason--they just follow the MS credo that says they 'must' for security reasons...following that reasoning...we should ALL update our cars and appliances and cell phones, etc, etc, because the manufacturer says so...

but you must do what works for 'you'...it's really a matter of choice...myself...I build computers and always disable windows updates and Internet Explorer

 

[seavixen32]

narissa,

"How long has it been working without updating windows? Any other downside I should know about if I have to do that long term?"

three years with NO updates--no downsides that I've experienced

IMO--most people truly believe that they 'must' protect themselves with 'security' updates--but--no one has ever given me a 'good valid' reason--they just follow the MS credo that says they 'must' for security reasons...following that reasoning...we should ALL update our cars and appliances and cell phones, etc, etc, because the manufacturer says so...

but you must do what works for 'you'...it's really a matter of choice...myself...I build computers and always disable windows updates and Internet Explorer

Obviously you do what is best for you, but I feel you are doing people a disservice by advising them to dispense with updates.

Updates are cost-free and plug holes in security breaches so why wouldn't people use them?

Makes no sense to me.

 

[OldMX]

If your computer downloaded .net framework updates it will be sluggish for a while.

 

[karlsnooks]

narissa,

"How long has it been working without updating windows? Any other downside I should know about if I have to do that long term?"

three years with NO updates--no downsides that I've experienced

IMO--most people truly believe that they 'must' protect themselves with 'security' updates--but--no one has ever given me a 'good valid' reason--they just follow the MS credo that says they 'must' for security reasons...following that reasoning...we should ALL update our cars and appliances and cell phones, etc, etc, because the manufacturer says so...

but you must do what works for 'you'...it's really a matter of choice...myself...I build computers and always disable windows updates and Internet Explorer

You build computers for who, for what, where.

Your advice is the worst that I've seen in a very, very long time.

 

[tman69]

karlsnooks,
"You build computers for who, for what, where.
Your advice is the worst that I've seen in a very, very long time."

thanks for the input--gee I never realized that...
I build computers for myself and anyone who wants a high end machine.
point #1. I personally know code writers who work for MS and they find the whole 'updates' thing to be a running joke.
point #2. I've yet to meet a 'high-end' gamer with a truly high-end rig, who has 'updates' turned on--in fact very few even run an AV program as AV programs tend to slow down their machines.
point #3. my advice is free and it's not advice--it's experience and knowledge...if you want to be one of the 'sheep' that follows the accepted line of thought then that's up to you--but please--don't judge me.

am out

 

[roblmoore]

tman69
wrote....
I build computers for myself and anyone who wants a high end machine.
point #1. I personally know code writers who work for MS and they find the whole 'updates' thing to be a running joke.
point #2. I've yet to meet a 'high-end' gamer with a truly high-end rig, who has 'updates' turned on--in fact very few even run an AV program as AV programs tend to slow down their machines.
point #3. my advice is free and it's not advice--it's experience and knowledge...if you want to be one of the 'sheep' that follows the accepted line of thought then that's up to you--but please--don't judge me.

am out

Wow, This is very, very bad information.
Telling people not to do the Microsoft updates is like telling people to let the air out of their tires.

I work for a TV station as an IT / Broadcast Engineer and have over 26 years experience in computer support.
We had an instance about three years ago where the Chief engineer decided all station computers did not need to do the windows updates. So he had the engineering staff turn them off.
A few months went by and I started seeing workstations that were misbehaving to he point they were unusable. At the Time I had no idea what the cause was. But I had discovered that making sure the windows was updated solved the issue.
We have two major departments at the station, sales and broadcast.
I had fixed ten ailing workstations. I spoke with the Chief and he agreed that the other 130 workstation needed to have windows brought up to date. I was going to go home for the evening but decided to stay and do the 50 broadcast workstations. When I came in the next day, I was stopped at the door and told that all of sales had been brought to their knees. No computer had been working properly and most of the sales staff had gone home because they could not use their computers. I asked about the broadcast department and was told that they were not experiencing any issues.
So for the next 19 hours the senior engineer and myself went through the station and completed all the windows updates and ran malware bytes on every windows computer. Later that week corporate had us replace the Anti Virus programs with Symantec END point. Turns out that all of tribune broadcast had been hit with a virus that exploited a hole in the OS. The Microsoft updates closed this hole.
Every body patted me on the back saying that if I had not stayed, worked overtime and completed the broadcast department windows updates, the station would have been off the air.

So think what you want, but not doing windows updates is just a bad idea.

 

[campbas]

Narissa,

I realize my post is 4-1/2 years late to the forum but this problem remains prevalent to many windows 7 users.

I too have noticed a considerable performance drop with the auto updates. And while Microsoft says you need them for "security reasons," many PC users already have an outsourced security program running for them. That being said this issue is up to you.

Just think about the invested interests in this. Your computer was designed to be thrown away after 3-4 years so that you'll buy a new one, just like your phone. Does Microsoft have invested interest in getting you to update to Windows 8? Well, yes. Does that mean they deliberately make updates that slow your computer? Maybe.. Maybe not.. But it would be a conflict of interest and just bad business if their updates actually sped up your PC or made it completely safe.

If you'd rather continuously update your computer to stay in tune then that's fine. If you want to avoid those updates to maintain your computer's speed that's fine too. For the time being, though, I suggest finding independent software that you trust to run your security--a company that doesn't have invested interest in your computer running slower over time.

 

[Richardc269]

narissa,

"How long has it been working without updating windows? Any other downside I should know about if I have to do that long term?"

three years with NO updates--no downsides that I've experienced

IMO--most people truly believe that they 'must' protect themselves with 'security' updates--but--no one has ever given me a 'good valid' reason--they just follow the MS credo that says they 'must' for security reasons...following that reasoning...we should ALL update our cars and appliances and cell phones, etc, etc, because the manufacturer says so...

but you must do what works for 'you'...it's really a matter of choice...myself...I build computers and always disable windows updates and Internet Explorer

Obviously you do what is best for you, but I feel you are doing people a disservice by advising them to dispense with updates.

Updates are cost-free and plug holes in security breaches so why wouldn't people use them?

Makes no sense to me.

If I had a desktop PC that slowed down after downloading a ton of updates, and the slowness doesn't go away, there's no way in hell I am getting them.