Steps For Installing And Updating Windows 7 SP1

1. Do a clean install of Windows 7 SP1.
Keep Windows Update turned off for now by selecting "Ask me later".
Skip the activation process for now and don't enter a product key.

2. Install the necessary drivers and make sure all primary devices are working okay.

3. Establish an active internet connection, then activate Windows 7 SP1.

4. Install the September 2019 SHA-2 fix for Windows Update (KB4474419)
(32-bit)
(64-bit)

5. Install the March 2019 servicing stack update (KB4490628)
(32-bit)
(64-bit)

6. Install the May 2016 convenience rollup update (KB3125574).
(32-bit)
(64-bit)

7. Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8

8. Load Windows Update, then change the setting to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them", then put a checkmark in the Recommended Updates box, then click OK.
The "checking for updates" process will start.
Windows Update should work properly and should display a long list of updates in 5 - 10 minutes.

9. In the list of important updates, uncheck and hide the Internet Explorer 8 updates, and make sure to select Internet Explorer 11.
Most of the optional updates can be unchecked and hidden, but there is one exception.
If an optional update appears for the monitor, make sure to select it so Windows 7 can properly detect it.
Download and install the selected important/optional updates.

10. If more important/optional updates are detected after the restart, uncheck and hide the unneeded ones and select the needed ones, then download and install them.

11. Repeat step #10 until all the needed important/optional updates are installed.

IMPORTANT! The January 2020 servicing stack update (KB4536952) should appear during the last stage of installing important/optional updates.
Make sure to install it so Windows Update can continue to work properly after its official End Of Life(EOL) date.

IMPORTANT! Before running each of the installer files in steps #4 and #5 and #6, make sure to stop the "Windows Update" service from running.
Make sure to restart the computer after each of those steps is finished.

(This guide was updated on January 16, 2020)

My own install DVD's are integrated to the January 2020 official "end of life".


This guide is for those who don't have that option or don't have the knowledge to do it.

This is a revision to the guide in post #1:

1. Boot from your install media and do a clean install of Windows 7 SP1.
Skip the activation process for now and do not enter a product key.
Keep Windows Update turned off for now by selecting "Ask me later".

2. Install the September 2019 SHA-2 code update (KB4474419)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com...updateid=3589375e-8147-4d21-b3ad-fc27bd126d6c (32-bit)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com...updateid=38222b3b-2bd2-4269-880d-35feddf42984 (64-bit)

3. Install the March 2019 servicing stack update (KB4490628)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com...updateid=71c7172c-f6ea-493d-ab74-65d2548e834b (32-bit)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com...updateid=e45cd0f7-e37e-405e-8204-ade6d492b713 (64-bit)

4. Install the May 2016 convenience rollup update (KB3125574)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com...updateid=7ed4c8c3-0f06-4227-99e3-e9f143394687 (32-bit)
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com...updateid=49924c88-1b31-4b0f-ad3d-48df9877f385 (64-bit)

5. Install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8
https://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/get/microsoft_net_framework_4_5_final,1.html

6. Install the necessary drivers (chipset, graphics, audio, ethernet, wireless, etc.) and make sure all primary devices are working okay.

7. Establish an active internet connection, then activate Windows 7 SP1.

8. If you plan to turn any Windows features on/off or change any visual or display settings or change any startup/service settings or change any other settings, this is a good time to do it.

9. Load Windows Update, then click "Change settings".
Select "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them".
Uncheck "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates".
After you click OK, the "Checking for updates" process will start.
Windows Update should display a list of important and optional updates within 5 - 10 minutes.

10. In the list of important updates, hide these updates:
KB890830
KB971033
KB3124275
Make sure Internet Explorer 11 is selected with the rest of important updates.
Do not select any optional updates.

11. After the initial list of important updates are installed, restart the computer.
If the "Your Windows 7 PC is out of support" alert appears, click "Don't remind me again".

12. Load Windows Update, then click "Check for updates".
Select the remaining important updates.
Do not select any optional updates.

13. After the second list of important updates are installed, restart the computer.
If the "Your Windows 7 PC is out of support" alert appears, click "Don't remind me again".

14. Repeat step #12 until the January 2020 servicing stack update (KB4536952) appears.
When it does, make sure to select and install it.

Windows 7 SP1 will now be completely up-to-date to its official January 2020 "end of life".

IMPORTANT! Before running each of the installer files in steps #2 and #3 and #4, make sure to stop the "Windows Update" service from running.
Make sure to restart the computer after each of those steps is finished.

IMPORTANT! Before you do a clean install, make sure all optional external devices (printer, USB storage drive, USB flash drive, webcam, etc.) are disconnected from the computer.
Once Windows 7 SP1 is completely up-to-date, you can re-connect them and install any necessary software driver packages.

(This guide was updated and successfully tested on March 14, 2020)