Updating Win 7 Pro (And Maybe Win 10 and Win 11)

[RIBob]

Probably known to many, but perhaps worth mentioning:

My Win 7 Pro computer still receives the occasional Security Update from MS when manually interrogated for Updates. I always toggle manual update button until it comes out with "NO Updates Available" at least Twice, Re-Starting the computer after each download. Above procedure for multiple manual interrogations for Updates, and subsequent re-starting computer applies to All MS OS.

Some MS Updates may be prerequisites for later MS Updates and the later Updates may not appear as available until prerequisite Updates installed and computer re-started. Or there may be some sort of glitch with MS Updates.

On the rare occasions when internet is accessed by Win 7 Pro computer, I use a relatively "secure" browser, perhaps Brave or one of the Firefox alternatives, and use an excess of caution. Independent Drive Backups for sure.

Win 10 Pro computers are enrolled in Extended Security Updates.

As an aside, MS Update is not as all-inclusive as one might like. I have used specific updates directly from Intel and Dell sites which have both installed updates that MS omitted. Folks using AMD CPUs and various Graphics cards should contact the Update section of the individual component/computer Mfr for possible updates from them. Restore point made, just in case.

It would not surprise me that same situation pertains to Win 10 and Win 11. I know that a years-old BIOS update for my elderly Dell laptop was downloaded direct from Intel and installed, after being ignored by MS Update for years. Other things that I no longer recall also downloaded and installed.

As always, take suitable precautions when altering your computer. Be safe and ensure you are connected to trusted Mfr sites.

 

[Bree]

As an aside, MS Update is not as all-inclusive as one might like. I have used specific updates directly from Intel and Dell sites which have both installed updates that MS omitted.....

It would not surprise me that same situation pertains to Win 10 and Win 11. I know that a years-old BIOS update for my elderly Dell laptop was downloaded direct from Intel and installed, after being ignored by MS Update for years. Other things that I no longer recall also downloaded and installed.

MS doesn't go out and look for updates from OEMs. The only OEM updates delivered by Windows Update are those that the OEMs themselves have chosen to submit to MS for inclusion. OEMs will only do that for machines they currently consider as being 'still in support'. For example, I have a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1 from 2020 that's still getting regular BIOS updates through Windows Update.

BIOS updates in particular are generally 'OS independent' and, if the OEMs have supplied them to MS, should be delivered through Windows Update whatever the OS - probably for W7, certainly for W10/11.

 

[RIBob]

MS doesn't go out and look for updates from OEMs. The only OEM updates delivered by Windows Update are those that the OEMs themselves have chosen to submit to MS for inclusion. OEMs will only do that for machines they currently consider as being 'still in support'. For example, I have a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1 from 2020 that's still getting regular BIOS updates through Windows Update.

BIOS updates in particular are generally 'OS independent' and, if the OEMs have supplied them to MS, should be delivered through Windows Update whatever the OS - probably for W7, certainly for W10/11.

I generally agree with your overall comments. MS Update failed to find years-old INTEL BIOS updates for my Dell Laptop. I found some updates on Dell site that MS Update omitted. Let's skip frequent Graphics card updates.

I think we both agree that MS Updates are far from inclusive.