Limited Windows updates

[ranhuc]

Had a problem a short while back in which the search for updates would just hang there. I applied a couple of fixes and everything was fine. To this date though, updates for Defender are all I get notifications for. The only other important updates I have received were early November and mid-October before that. Are there that few important updates being made available? Thanks.

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

Welcome.
Starting in October 2016, MS changed the way they deliver updates/patches for Win7/8/8.1:

Further simplifying servicing models for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1

There is a way to get "just" the security part of that monthly rollup, instead of both the security + performance bits. But it involves more work for the user to manually d/l and install the "security-only" rollup each month.
That's up to the individual user, just as it is up to the user whether to take "recommended" and "optional" patches.

The days of 15, 20 or more patches per month are gone.
This is part of the "Windows As A Service" model already in place for Win10.
There are both upsides and downsides to this, of course.
But it is what MS decided to do.

>>> It's still important to take AT LEAST the security bits of each month's rollup, both for Windows and for your other MS programs, such as Office.

Cheers,
MM

 

[ranhuc]

Alright, that explains it. Thanks for the info.