More on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 servicing changes

No problem, users are just going to have to get used to the fact that WU will not work the same as it did before. It will be a completely different update model from tomorrow. And it is going to take some getting used to.

MS wants users of WU to take the all or nothing approach. This is why I say that users of WU won't have many options as from tomorrow.

You have 3 options:

1) Use WU and install everything that's in the rollup (Security updates, fixes and eventually all past patches when they're rolled into the cumulative updates).

2) Download the security updates from WSUS offline and use WU for other updates (Drivers, Servicing Stack updates, etc).

3) Disable WU completely and download Security Updates only from WSUS offline (if you want to avoid everything that's included in the rollups).

Brds7t7 said:

How is it misleading? It does state in the article there will be a separate security update which isn't available through Windows Update. Which is true.

There is an emphasis on the change to a single update, even the title of this particular article is "Say goodbye to individual patches" encouraging users to think that come tomorrow they'll be offered just the one update. But that only relates to the core OS updates, they'll still be offered a variety of other updates covering the other things like the ones I mentioned. I don't think that is stressed enough in these articles.

Good morning,

After reading through all the posts in this topic, including looking at the ghacks article...I must say, I'm more confused than ever - especially given all the problems I've had with Windows Updates over the past 7 months or so, necessitating my posting here to get help.

As I've mentioned before, I have nowhere near the level of understanding of most of the technical stuff being imparted here, as most others do. I'm getting the distinct impression that when the 'Patch Tuesday' updates come out and if (by some miracle) I'm able to install that 'Cumulative roll-up' being referenced in this topic......I may end up finding this Win 7 computer of mine suddenly being upgraded to the Win 10 OS - which I do NOT want.

I took previous steps, some time ago, including downloading that GWX program from Ultimate Outsider just to prevent Win 10 from being installed on my computer.

It would appear the ONLY option left is for me to completely disable Windows Update altogether so it never checks for any updates again. And, yes...in doing so, I realize there is the distinct possibility of getting hit with malware.

Thank you for your time and review!

Personally, I don't think there will be another 10 upgrade push. MS has just removed the updates relating to the 10 upgrade. I can't see them doing that to push it all over again. However, I can't say 100%, and I certainly hope not, as the first push was annoying enough! Trust me, you'll get enough warning on here if that does ever happen!

If it does happen (god forbid) then GWX control panel does a very good job of blocking it. And I'm sure it will be updated, if that were the case.

If it's something that really does concern you though, then you could always download wsusoffline and get the security only updates from there. I'm going on the assumption that these Security only patches will be available to download from the software. It connects to the same servers so I can't see why it wouldn't work.

WSUS Offline Update - Update Microsoft Windows and Office without an Internet connection

I have my concerns over the likelihood of another Windows 10 push. If the marketing figures don't meet expectations, and they currently do not, then I don't think we can assume that another push won't happen. For that reason alone I continue to run GWX Control Panel as it does no harm and may still do some good. Microsoft clearly intend that Windows 10 is not going to be another Windows 8 disaster, and they have a huge amount of reputation and investment riding on that.

I believe the facts of recent history demonstrate that they will do anything to achieve that end, and that they consider the reputational damage of not meeting their targets as being more important to them than any reputational damage arising from how they meet those targets. This is not the old Microsoft of Bill Gates's day, this is a very different company with a very different approach to market domination. The irony in respect of the way that they treat those who don't want Windows 10 is that it's still their products that we're using anyway!

Windows 10 hasn't been a Windows 8 disaster though. While it didn't meet its initial quota of a billion (which I always thought was a little over-ambitious), It's already overtaken Windows 8 in a year.

Personally, I don't use it and have no interest in it right now. I actually prefer 8.1 over 10 (I'm probably in the minority ). But it's certainly doing a lot better than Windows 8 has up to now.

Hi Brds7t7, and thanks very much for your reply!

Not really sure about just how that WSUS offline you mentioned works. When I clicked on the link (I'm using Firefox), to go to the page, then clicked on the [DOWNLOAD] button which was already highlighted, nothing happened.

Is that something that can only be downloaded using Internet Explorer 11? (I haven't used IE in so long, I've largely forgotten HOW it works...I'm sorry to say).

Much obliged again for your feedback/help! :)

P.S. - Thanks Seffrid for your feedback as well. I didn't see it until after I posted this.

Should be okay on Firefox, click where it says the version number 10.8 (top right) and not the download button and it should work.

Thanks once again, Brds7t7!

I downloaded it to my Desktop and then extracted the contents - which I also saved to my Desktop.

Now all I may need to do is try and figure out how to use it...if I see issues arising with tomorrow's 'Patch Tuesday' update - being posted here in the forums. (fingers-crossed)

Cheers!