More Than 3 Out of 4 Enthusiasts Reject Windows 8

You are not likely to get any service packs. The updates with keep coming. Makes it awkward to reinstall.

I have updated my installtion images already. My own SP2 if you like. Takes a little time but is actually quite easy.

Layback Bear said:

Well I still think buying extra Windows 7 now is smart shopping. Microsoft is going to keep throwing new junk at us for some time. They seem to be slower learners.

At this point in time I feel like it's a waste of money as 7 isn't suddenly going to drop off the face of Microsoft. And they still have the business community to support.

Besides, unless you develop a way to stock pile all the updates, it'll be a moot point - what's the use in having the OS if you can't get the updates.

Anyway I think this is a bit drastic, but that's me.

SIW2 said:

You are not likely to get any service packs. The updates with keep coming. Makes it awkward to reinstall.

I have updated my installtion images already. My own SP2 if you like. Takes a little time but is actually quite easy.

sygnus21 said:

...Besides, unless you develop a way to stock pile all the updates, it'll be a moot point - what's the use in having the OS if you can't get the updates...

SIW2 has the answer (other than 42): make an image of the Win7 installation after all the updates have been installed. When doing a "clean" installation of the OS using the image, make another image after the updates that were released since the previous updates have been done.

I did it another way. Mount your image from install.wim - put in the updates with dism. Make other adjustments as you like - registry entries.etc.

There have been over 500 updates released - only about 130 needed.

Works well for repair install also.

Might do a tutorial if there is enough interest.

2) Aren't security updates a moving target and if this support ceases won't the PC be vulnerable?
3) Have MS provided a date when update downloads (on top of SP1) will cease?

That will be the 2020 date MS gave - security updates will keep coming.

1) How does this help me/us when I want to install on a new build?

Makes no difference. Install exactly the same as you always do. It is just that the updates are already in - saves a lot of time.

Not using any machine specific ones - if you have some - then windows update will offer them - together with graphics card driver ( unless you want to include that yourself - bit pointless they keep pushing out new ones ) - and a couple of things you don't want , like bing desktop - just hide them.

I set things up, too - start menu is how I like it - my context menu items, minimate, and so on.