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

[itconcerned]

Hi,

As this may interest some people here at Seven, after many tries I went all way down to a clean install again and it took around two and half hours to complete as follow:

Installed from USB:
-Windows Update Client July 2015 - KB3065987
-Windows Update Client October 2015 - KB3083710
-Windows Slow Updates - KB3102810

-Ran Never10 and GWX Control Panel and checked all options to avoid the GWX.

-Installed Internet Explorer 11

Changed Windows Update to: "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them"

-Checked for updates

After all, I have got 5 Security Updates for .Net Framework 4.6.1 and 182 updates for Windows.

And have got 101 optional updates offered (1 Silverlight, 1 Skype, 66 Windows, 33 Language Packs not listed here) as below:

Microsoft Silverlight (KB3126036)
Skype for Windows desktop 7.3 (KB2876229)
Update for Kernel-Mode Driver Framework version 1.11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2685811)
Update for User-Mode Driver Framework version 1.11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2685813)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2506928)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2545698)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2547666)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2563227)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2574819)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2592687)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2603229)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2640148)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2660075)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2726535)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2732059)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2732487)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2750841)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2761217)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2763523)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2773072)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2791765)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2799926)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2800095)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2808679)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2830477)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2834140)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2843630)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2852386)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2853952)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2891804)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2893519)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2908783)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2918077)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2919469)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2952664)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2966583)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2970228)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2985461)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3006121)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3006137)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3006625)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3013531)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3020370)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3021917)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3035583)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3040272)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3054476)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3068708)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3075249)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3078667)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3080079)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3080149)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3092627)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3102429)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3107998)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3118401)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3121255)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3123862)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3133977)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3137061)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3138378)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3138901)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3139923)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3140245)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3147071)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3156417)

Regards,

itconcerned

Late Notes (05/30):

None of optional updates on the above list were installed, even the labeled “Recommended” ones.

Windows Update Cleanup did not come out.

The 3 tasks pointed by Callender appeared even if KB3068708, KB3075249 & KB3080149 were not installed.

All of this reinstall process is from 05/24 and Windows is running plain and smooth so far.

OBS: There is no trace of GWX anymore. (06/12/2016)

 

[alphanumeric]

I just recently did a clean install of 7 ult with sp1. The Windows update agent installed quickly but after that things basically ground to a halt. I left Windows update running just to se how long it would take and it over 24 hours scanning for updates. I didn't do anything fancy, I just wanted to run it like the average Joe would. In the past I wouldn't have even finished my settings tweaks before the first reboot prompt to finish installing updates. My how things have changed. After leaving it running for a few days it eventually fully updated, as near as I can tell anyway. You shouldn't have to wait days though.

 

[michael diemer]

I just recently did a clean install of 7 ult with sp1. The Windows update agent installed quickly but after that things basically ground to a halt. I left Windows update running just to se how long it would take and it over 24 hours scanning for updates. I didn't do anything fancy, I just wanted to run it like the average Joe would. In the past I wouldn't have even finished my settings tweaks before the first reboot prompt to finish installing updates. My how things have changed. After leaving it running for a few days it eventually fully updated, as near as I can tell anyway.

You shouldn't have to wait days though.

Uh, no, you shouldn't. How Microsoft thinks it can avoid tarnishing its reputation with this absurd situation is beyond me. Corporate arrogance, I suppose.

 

[Ranger4]

Windows 7 updates here in Australia seem to back to normal again as far as download & speed is concerned.

 

[Dallas 7]

I just recently did a clean install of 7 ult with sp1. The Windows update agent installed quickly but after that things basically ground to a halt. I left Windows update running just to se how long it would take and it over 24 hours scanning for updates. I didn't do anything fancy, I just wanted to run it like the average Joe would. In the past I wouldn't have even finished my settings tweaks before the first reboot prompt to finish installing updates. My how things have changed. After leaving it running for a few days it eventually fully updated, as near as I can tell anyway.

You shouldn't have to wait days though.

Uh, no, you shouldn't. How Microsoft thinks it can avoid tarnishing its reputation with this absurd situation is beyond me. Corporate arrogance, I suppose.

Extreme Corporate arrogance.

 

[RoasterMen]

Last time I re-installed windows, updates is just fine. Though I didn't left it running for 24 hours because I dont leave my computer like that but the download is just right for my 2mbps connection (I now have 3, it's expensive in here )

 

[Mellon Head]

I waited about 12 hours on a fresh install recently, and occasionally 20 to 30 minutes just getting normal updates since then.

The situation is completely unacceptable. Microsoft will throw anything in the Windows 7 user's path to prevent him/her from having a satisfactory Windows 7 experience, thereby hoping that the user will upgrade to Windows 10.

I have also lost many hours undoing the "Scheduled Upgrade" that MS keeps ever so helpfully applying to my work machine. If I'm away from my desk when the "upgrade' is scheduled to occur, it goes ahead. I must decline the EULA when I get back to my desk and fiddle around with the PC to get my system back and operational because it never comes back 100 %. The upgrade must do something to the system before the EULA is acknowledged. I don't know what, but my computer does not run properly after a scheduled upgrade. I've taken to shutting off my computer at night, but that's a problem because then I no longer have remote access.

I'll be so glad when it is August. Maybe this BS will stop.

 

[ThrashZone]

I doubt M$ will end the free upgrade anytime soon and certainly not at the end of July
They will just move the date continuously I imagine

 

[lehnerus2000]

I doubt M$ will end the free upgrade anytime soon and certainly not at the end of July
They will just move the date continuously I imagine

Agreed.

How else will they get enough users to introduce "Pay-per-Click"?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Last I read they were doing quite well so far
Although I've read a lot of failures to upgrade and a lot more failures to revert back so I'm sure the averages are still pretty high on people using win-10

There was a survey on Steam and they showed 35% users are using win-10.
I did not see the rest of the results though but they showed it as the most popular os.

 

[alphanumeric]

I don't see them extending it? Just my opinion. No real benefit to doing it from what I can see. If you haven't taken them up on the offer by then, you never will. Plus the odds of somebody coming into possession of a PC still running Windows 7 or 8, and wanting to upgrade it to 10 will be low. The bean counters will be pushing for them to start charging for it. It won't be long and 10 will be all you can easily buy if your buying it for a you built it PC. 7 is almost impossible to buy from a retailer, and 8/8.1 isn't far behind.

From my personal testing, Windows 7 users have it easy compared to Windows 8 users as far as the Get Windows 10 prompts go. I hadn't even logged in for the first time on a clean install of Windows 8.1 before being prompted to upgrade to Windows 10. And they were relentless after that. It was almost impossible to run Windows update without tripping over the upgrade. On a clean install of Windows 7 I didn't see anything until I manually launched the GWX App. Even then, all I did was wait for the new screen, with the actual decline option on it to show up. Clicked that, declined the offer, and haven't see a thing since. It may be easier to just let the latest GWX App actually install, and decline the offer. Than to continually try and block it from installing in the first place. I'm just going to leave my Windows 7 install running and have a look see every so often to see if it prompts again. It's been days with no nag screens so far.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yep I loaded win-8 pro not too long ago
Updating it was fun
Once I did get it updated and I had my update setting same as I do on win-7 = let me choose....
Downloading 8.1 from the store M$ was kind enough to change my update setting for me to auto and yes that gave me the sweet GWX icon

Had I not been going that route I would of been a tad annoyed :mad2:

 

[profdlp]

Regarding the end of the free trial, while I don't foresee myself using it, I'll probably do the "upgrade" while it is still free. Then I'll make an image of the W10 system and immediately restore my W7 image. This is only to cover myself against the day when I might HAVE to go to W10 for some reason. As much as that would gall me, having to pay for it would tic me off even worse.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'll probably do the "upgrade" while it is still free. Then I'll make an image of the W10 system and immediately restore my W7 image. This is only to cover myself against the day when I might HAVE to go to W10 for some reason.

Prof:

How confident are you that you can do what you describe and have no licensing issues, either immediately or years down the road when you might upgrade hardware?

If you are confident, can you point me to the sources of your confidence? Links, MS documents, etc.

I'm contemplating the same thing, but can't get a clearcut unequivocal answer as to whether or not the restored Win 7 image would be free from licensing issues indefinitely or that the Win 10 image would have no issues if it were to be restored in, say, 2019--on your current hardware or on new hardware.

I get lots of opinions, but few if any based on actual experience--mostly because we are still relatively early in the Windows 10 lifecycle and have to speculate about what Microsoft might do next month or next year.

I'm even thinking about using 2 separate SSDs, but only one at a time. No imaging involved. Just a clean 7 install on one and a clean 10 install on the other. Both activated. One PC. Only 1 of the 2 drives in the PC at any one time.

 

[profdlp]

How confident are you that you can do what you describe and have no licensing issues, either immediately or years down the road when you might upgrade hardware?

If you are confident, can you point me to the sources of your confidence? Links, MS documents, etc.

Given the stunts that MS has pulled thus far, not extremely confident by any means. I'm going mostly on the idea that they are currently offering the 30-Day rollback so there must be some procedure to not wreck your old W7 license as soon as you upgrade.

Your comment about new hardware causing trouble down the road is a good one. In the past, I have praised MS for being lenient with home users when you have to call them for reactivation after a motherboard dies or something like that. After what we've seen over the past year I am not very optimistic that they will be so understanding in the future.

I'm even thinking about using 2 separate SSDs, but only one at a time. No imaging involved. Just a clean 7 install on one and a clean 10 install on the other. Both activated. One PC. Only 1 of the 2 drives in the PC at any one time.

I actually do something similar on my spare computer. (W7 Pro on one drive and Server 2008 on another.) My question would be how to get the free "upgrade" if you are installing to a blank drive.

My two aces in the hole are that I

1) Have an extra W7 Pro license left from my college days
2) Would never pay for W10 after all this nonsense and would just force myself to go Linux full-time. My spare computer actually has a pop-out 2.5" drive bay and in addition to W7 Pro and Server 2008 I also have a third drive with Linux Mint. If I had my paid-for copy of W7 deactivated by some shenanigans and then was expected to cough up $100-200 for W10 that would be all the impetus I need.

 

[Layback Bear]

As of yet I have also not been able to find a exact statement from Microsoft but this is what I understand.

It will depend whether Microsoft locks the Windows 7 COA key to the Windows 7 install or it locks the COA key to the W-10 install after 30 days.

When one downloads a operating system has little to do with anything. When one activates the downloaded operating system and what COA key is used to activate it is the important thing.

Example:
If on downloads and activates W-10 using the Windows 7 COA key (Upgrade), one can use the Windows 7 COA key for 30 days. Kind of like a trial period. After 30 days the once Windows 7 COA key is locked to the W-10 operating system and can not be used on the Windows 7 install again.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

My question would be how to get the free "upgrade" if you are installing to a blank drive.

My understanding is that anyone can do a clean Win 10 install to a blank drive via a downloaded ISO from Microsoft and activate it with a Win 7 Product Key. As opposed to doing an upgrade install via Windows Update. Of course, what happens over the medium to long term after that is another question.

Or do I misunderstand you?

 

[profdlp]

My question would be how to get the free "upgrade" if you are installing to a blank drive.

My understanding is that anyone can do a clean Win 10 install to a blank drive via a downloaded ISO from Microsoft and activate it with a Win 7 Product Key. As opposed to doing an upgrade install via Windows Update. Of course, what happens over the medium to long term after that is another question.

Or do I misunderstand you?

No, I didn't know you could do that. It does raise the question of what happens with your W7 license, as Layback pointed out.

 

[Layback Bear]

The upgrade using the Windows 7 COA key is free for 30 days.
If one keeps the W-10 free upgrade 31 days or longer it will suck up your Windows 7 COA key and make it a W-10 key. It will no longer work on the Windows 7 system weather it a upgrade or a clean install of W-10.
After 30 days; one COA key per operating system will be what happens.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

If one keeps the W-10 free upgrade 31 days or longer it will suck up your Windows 7 COA key and make it a W-10 key. It will no longer work on the Windows 7 system weather it a upgrade or a clean install of W-10.

Do you think that AFTER 30 days on Windows 10--say a year later, that a restoration of an activated Windows 7 image "will no longer work"?

Can you point to any documentation for your opinion?

I've seen allegations that imaging is "technically" violation of the EULA terms.