Windows 7: Windows Update gets stuck looking for updates

Hi, torchwood,

The info I had said MS would stop supporting Vista (my first OS) earlier this year, thus my addition of W7 several months ago, via a dual-boot in case I screwed up the install. All local files transferred to W7 and haven't used Vista since. As you can see, I'm a late arrival to the world of computers.

Our LAN consists of a Dell Inspiron 519 desktop (roughly 4 years old) and an Acer Aspire E1-731 purchased this year, both running W7 HP, along with printers, etc. So our only experience has been with MS operating systems. It does seem to me that MS is trying to force W7 users into W10, a move I don't wish to make. I had never heard of Mint until your post, but have now read some about it.

Would appreciate any wisdom you can offer re switching our OS. We are not gamers, using our computers for typical bookkeeping (Open Office), email and Internet access and suchlike. We do not need gee-whiz graphics or blinding speed but would like to have a reasonably problem- and threat-free environment. I think I can use the hard drive that currently has Vista to install something else. Advice?

I did get that sneaky W10 "update" to uninstall. Thanks again for your help!

Steve

Hi Steve,
Forgot to mention,
When (IF) you run updates again select the LET me choose option, Then when that pesky Update re-appears, which IT WILL,
RIGHT click on it, select Hide.

AS Vista is on a seperate hard drive, thats an ideal situation for Dual boot.
You can allways play around with all the "flavours", thats what they call the different Ubuntu like OS's.
They tend to let you "try before you buy" option , (download and run via CD/USB), then if you like go for a permanent set up.
Have a read of this tutorial
Dual Boot - Windows 7 and Linux

Roy

My thanks, Roy,

I have always run the update function (and many others) on the "let me choose" option- no automatic installs for Slowpoke!

This WU issue, which seems to be an epidemic, looks like a bum's-rush sendoff to W7 users from MS. MS just bought LinkedIn for $26 BILLION and they are crowing about it. They have no use for us obsolete W7 users (and maybe any non-business users, not enough money in it).

Thanks for the Linux info, I'll be able to look into that option later this week.

Steve

This issue appears to be resolved- apparently WU itself needed to be updated, and when I did that, both machines now seem to update properly. Here is the link to that update:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3161608

Since installing this fix I have tried one or two other updates in each computer with no problems. Next question is, aside from the kb3035583, are there any other updates that amount to a back-door W10 invasion?

Going forward I still want to replace my Vista OS (probably with Mint) but now there is no urgency. My thanks to torchwood and everyone else who worked on this problem for me!

Steve