Reinstall w7 and updates

[Rapporman]

I have just reinstalled W7 after a hard drive failure. Do I now have to download all prior windows updates or can I restrict them to just Security or important ones. The last time I reinstalled W7 it took most of the day to download them all and was a real pain, so I would like to avoid this if poss. Once again I shall rely on your advice.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi
You could use this
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com...17/simplifying-updates-for-windows-7-and-8-1/

Or the older way
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...ut-windows-still-wont-update.html#post3237782

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Thank you for the rep very much appreciated

You can review this thread and see how some of our mad scientist are getting along with the process if that is the route you have taken
http://www.sevenforums.com/news/396236-simplifying-updates-windows-7-8-1-a.html

 

[Rapporman]

Many thanks Thrashzone. I can always rely on you to find the solution but I have hit a snag. I reached the MS website per your first link but when I tried to download the MS Update Catalog, I kept getting "An add-on for this website failed to run" and am therefore, unable to download the Catalog. I have looked in "Manage Add-ons" in IE but can't see anything in there which might be relevant, so I am sorry to trouble you again but can you tell me what Add-on they are referring to and what I need to do to activate it.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Yea I had the same issue
I'd look on the top right of the url address and make sure a blue circle with a slash through it does not exist
That would mean Active x filtering kicked on and is blocking
If you see it click it or right click it and select disable.

You can also go to Gear symbol on the top right and Safety and uncheck Active x filtering
Here are the instructions that finally showed and for me they were already as it stated


Then finally this browser add-on showed up as installed

 

[Rapporman]

Many thanks Thrashzone but I followed everything you suggested and I still cannot download the Add-on. However, reading the Microsoft website and earlier ones more closely, it would appear this Update Catalog is designed for IT Pros and the like and MS infer that ordinary home users should visit the standard Windows Update site and download the past updates from there. Much as this is going to be a real pain in the b-m, it will be less hassle in the long run, provided I don't nod off in the middle of it. Anyway, thank you once again.