It's time for Microsoft to fix the Windows 7 update slowdowns

Brds7t7 · 11 May 2016

other said:

Being one who is always running 3 to 5 years sometimes even more, behind the newest technological shinny thing I see no reson to move off an operating system that's still new to me. I have no desire or need to go to Windows 10 so I won't. Maybe in 3 to 5 years but who knows. This is how I've always been. Those that have the need will change those that don't want to won't unless MS decides to nuke every system not on Windows 10.

I get the idea that MS wants to get everyone on 10 but you can't always get everything you want no matter who or what you are.

Some people are rushing because they've seen the word "Free" so they MUST get it now. I don't buy into all that promotional garbage.
At the moment, I can't see me ever upgrading to 10 the way it is now. I can't say that for sure in future I won't as it's going to be in a constant state of improvement (according to MS), so it might appeal to me in future. If that's the case, I'll just go out and buy a retail version I can do what I want with.
But, right now.... Nahhhh!

Happy with good old 7 on all my systems!

ThrashZone · 11 May 2016

Bingo 27 Important updates installed without a black screen on restart

It's time for Microsoft to fix the Windows 7 update slowdowns-3rd-try-may.jpg

michael diemer · 11 May 2016

Yawn...please let me know when the geniuses at Microsoft fix the W7 update fiasco. Till then, I'm done wasting time. I have a beautifully working Ubuntu install where I spend my time safely, with updates coming every few days or so, installing in minutes. I do my music on a separate, offline W7 computer. I'm all good here.

Brds7t7 · 11 May 2016

michael diemer said:

Yawn...please let me know when the geniuses at Microsoft fix the W7 update fiasco. Till then, I'm done wasting time. I have a beautifully working Ubuntu install where I spend my time safely, with updates coming every few days or so, installing in minutes. I do my music on a separate, offline W7 computer. I'm all good here.

Highly unlikely they will fix it, it's been like it over a year now.
My systems have WU turned off (except if I'm testing in VM's), I download the security updates manually, takes 5 minutes, and skip all the rest. Much less hassle for me.

Callender · 11 May 2016

RE: MS update servers. I always wait until the day after updates are available before downloading them.

RE: Time taken to search for updates. It doesn't take long. If it takes a very long time (many hours) there's something wrong with your system.

Brds7t7 · 12 May 2016

Can't say I agree with that Callender, absolutely nothing wrong with any of my systems.
You even said that it took you around 3 weeks to fix the slow update issue.
I've tried every fix posted on these forums including yours and it hasn't worked for me. As I say, it's hit and miss as to whether I get them quickly.
With all the posts popping up lately about slow updates, you're saying that all these people have something wrong with their systems?
This is a problem MS created and it's something they should be fixing
If it took you 3 weeks, then how is an inexperienced user who doesn't know much about Windows supposed to fix it??

lehnerus2000 · 12 May 2016

Callender said:

RE: Time taken to search for updates. It doesn't take long. If it takes a very long time (many hours) there's something wrong with your system.

It's the exact opposite on my systems.

Once WU has decided what updates are required (after spending hours, presumably consulting records dating back to ENIAC) the updates only take the expected amount of time.

It's a pity SFC doesn't know that the OS is broken.
Of course SFC can't find any problems because (in reality) there is nothing wrong with the OS, as everything other than WU works correctly.

The various fixes I've tried, only work for a couple of months and then the issue reappears.

Obviously MS believes my W7 is broken, because I refuse to update it to W10.

Brds7t7 said:

This is a problem MS created and it's something they should be fixing

The fact the WU problem keeps returning seems to suggest that MS is causing the problem.

Borg 386 · 12 May 2016

Once again....sit & wait...& wait.....

Yesterday I saw something odd occur on my 7 64 lappy. I was running the "check for updates" and it was still running 3 hrs later when suddenly the message appeared at the bottom of the screen saying "new updates available." Meanwhile, the updater was still searching for updates despite the new updates message appearing. I had to reboot & THEN it showed the available updates.

lehnerus2000 said:

The fact the WU problem keeps returning seems to suggest that MS is causing the problem.

Yepperz, I agree with that 100%.

Painter · 12 May 2016

MS created this problem. I too agree, MS is also causing it.

For W7 users, MS uses an interrogation process when it comes to searching for required updates. Installed MS products, initial bug fixes, multiple revisions to patches and fixes to fixes are all considered before a list is presented. The user will not be rewarded with faster search and delivery times even if they have a completely up to date, fully maintained and fully patched system. The process was not designed to take that into consideration.

Windows Update is a pack rat, unnecessarily hoarding fixes that can otherwise be purged. This would alleviate much of the time it takes to search for and deliver updates. Microsoft is reluctant to do this because they say the problem has been solved, not in W7, but in W10. The idea behind the W10 forced updates is to keep all systems maintained at the latest release of all installed MS software and fully patched at all times. The cumulative update was created to build on what is already there. Windows update for W10 users has no need to interrogate the user's system ad nauseam, just deliver the latest cumulative update and install it.

So there it is, according to MS, the problem is solved. Just upgrade to W10.

I prefer W7 and have chosen not to upgrade. I understand it is a choice and not mandatory. Yes, MS has alleviated the search and delivery times for W10, but they have three more to go, Vista, W7 and W8. All customers deserve equal respect when it comes to quality of service.

ThrashZone · 12 May 2016

Yea the newest work around for May is to see if these 2 are installed
First update to manually install if it's not already is KB3145739 this is from April's round of updates,
https://technet.microsoft.com/librar...or=-2147217396

32 bit download,
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=51857

64 bit download,
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=51853

After that then this one KB3153199 this is from May's round of updates
https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/MS16-062

32 bit download
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=52214

64 bit download
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=52232

As always it helps if you switch your update settings to Never check for updates first
Then switch back after the install and manually check for updates and the rest should appear shortly.