I seem to recall having read something to the effect that MS had limited the ability of a clean Win 7 installation to be updated (in order to force people to Win 10). Is this true or not? My notebook was 'built' six years ago, and as painful as it is, I think I need to start afresh...
It's partially true. Some time ago Microsoft issued a malicious patch though Windows update to arbitrarily block updates on the latest hardware (specifically, the KB4012218 update). Once this is installed, Windows will simply refuse to download/install new updates without any reason. However, not having it installed avoids this limitation.
This is the official MS statement about the malware patch
Note that this update is almost certainly included in every posterior "montly rollup" so it's not simply to avoid it. Fortunately the community already reacted and issued another patch to fix the flaw and continue receiving updates normally. Having it installed restores the ability to use Windows Update.
Other than for this annoyance, Windows works normally on every processor out there, as long as you use the proper drivers. That sabotage attempt only happens when using the latest CPU families (Intel Kaby Lake or AMD Ryzen).
In short, it's totally possible to still have a sane Win7 experience, but you either:
- Avoid the malicious KB4012218 "update" and all posterior rollups.
- Install the update and also the patch to fix it (possibly after each successive update afterwards).
- Accept the MS sabotage and live without latter patches.
- Don't do updates altogether.
As Alejandro has mentioned, M$ is pushing hard to the Win 10.
To be able to install win 7 on a new machine:
- On BIOS, it must be possible to turn off Secure boot.
- You must add some drivers (USB 3.x, SATA, M.2 NVMe) to Win 7 installation disk. Create a Windows 7 USB flash installation with new drives for new MB's - Windows 7 Help Forums
- With a Kabylake CPU, If you're going to use the internal graphics, you must do a workaround to install the drivers Fix for Windows 7 drivers for Intel 7th gen HD graphics 620 610 615 630 Iris 640 650 - YouTube
Alejandro85, Megahertz07,
Thank you both - these are great, informative replies.
Megahertz07: I found this site, Noticias - ISO Media Installation for Windows 7 SP1 x64 English/Spanish June 2016 Slipstreamed with NVMe, USB 3.0 y 3.1, Thunderbolt support and all updates until June 2016, which seems to provide an image with all of the hard work (detailed in the page you linked) already done. The new machine will be here late next week - we'll see how it all goes.
It seems good. I just don't trust it. If you intent to use it, scan for virus and malwares.
Before you try to install win 7 on the new machine, make a full disk image on an external drive. Use Macrium Reflect Free Edition https://updates.macrium.com/reflect/v7/ReflectDLHF.exe
What new machine did you bought?
Megahertz07 - the Noticias site was recommended by others and I did scan the file. This Specification for GP72MX Leopard (Pro) | Laptops - The best gaming laptop provider | MSI USA is the computer I wound up purchasing. Everything about it seems great, except the weight - it is a full 1.5 pounds heavier than the six year old 17" notebook it is replacing. For some odd reason, notebooks seem to be trending heavier...
As the laptop has a SSD and a HDD and you're going to do a fresh win 7 install, i suggest you move C:\Users to D:/Users. Use Kari tutorial. Very easy. All the needed files are here https://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...d-relocate.zip
M$ installs an update that prevents Updates on Kabylake.
So set WU to Manual on services and Never check on WU page.
For Windows I only install the Security only updates.
I manually run WU to look for office updates.
Disable Windows updates and use the offline updates MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums
Last edited by Megahertz07; 31 Dec 2017 at 15:34.
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