HDD cloning time

I disagree. In all of my installs I select all Important and Optional Updates except for Bing or an obviously outdated IE update. Many of these are vital patches needed to make sure hardware or software runs correctly. For example you may have Net Framework show up because a program is detected that requires it. If you don't install these Updates then these programs or hardware will not run correctly and you'll wonder why.

The problems with WIndows Update are one in a million. We may think they're greater because by nature we see the problems here. The only problems I have with them are having them bunch up on the Shut Down Button with a ! which can also jam them up if you're trying to run them from the Windows Update Control Panel. So its good to always check if you have a ! on the Start menu Shutdown button and if so stop what you're doing to Restart, check if they're cleared and if not do a full Shut Down since some want only a Shut Down. Then you can go back to Check for Updates and install the rest.

In the rare case that Windows Updates cause problems, simply System Restore to before the Update or uninstall it in Windows Updates>View Installed Updates. Then try installing it again and if it won't stabilize report it here in Updates forum or open a Support Case on Windows Updates website via email.

While I read about Windows Updates messing up this and that, I'd like to add I have never personally experienced this in thousands of installs I've done and helped with.