Updates kept after Jan 2020 and tidying-up

I am catching up and the updates and have 3 general questions.

(1) I can see the available updates listed in WU. If I choose not to install some of them will they still be available after Jan 2020?

(2) I can see several updates (Security and normal) for .NET Framework 4. Most are selected for download / install but .NET Framework 4.8 (KB 4503548) is not:
-- any idea why not?
-- how can I tell if I need these updates?
-- how can I tell if any of my installed programs us .NET Framework?

(3) Windows Updates can leave a lot of debris behind - unneeded download files, archive files to allow uninstallation etc.
-- is there any easy / safe way to get rid of them (even if just moving folders off to a back-up disk)?
-- I ran Disk Cleanup and it showed Windows Update Cleanup but did not delete anything from that category.

Hi DarkStar GT,

DarkStar GT said:

I am catching up and the updates and have 3 general questions.

(1) I can see the available updates listed in WU. If I choose not to install some of them will they still be available after Jan 2020?

Click to expand...

I haven't seen anywhere that as soon as January 2020 comes that ALL WU's via the Windows Update Catalog are being retracted!

DarkStar GT said:

(2) I can see several updates (Security and normal) for .NET Framework 4. Most are selected for download / install but .NET Framework 4.8 (KB 4503548) is not:
-- any idea why not?
-- how can I tell if I need these updates?
-- how can I tell if any of my installed programs us .NET Framework?

Click to expand...

That is a good question!

It is very difficult to know if the .NET Framework versions that you already have installed are actually used by any of your installed programs.

One way would be to check what programs you have installed and then Google if they require .NET Framework to run. If they do, then what version of .NET Framework is needed to run them. Quite a long and laborious task!

If you would like to know what versions of .NET Framework you have installed already, then I have a batch script that will list these for you. They can be installed in more than one place which my batch script accomodates and allows for!

DarkStar GT said:

(3) Windows Updates can leave a lot of debris behind - unneeded download files, archive files to allow uninstallation etc.
-- is there any easy / safe way to get rid of them (even if just moving folders off to a back-up disk)?
-- I ran Disk Cleanup and it showed Windows Update Cleanup but did not delete anything from that category.

Click to expand...

[1] You could run Disk Cleanup - Extended [I have a batch script that runs this] which is an extension [advanced version] of the standard disk cleanup tool which allows hidden options to become available, allowing you to clean up even more HDD space [including .old Windows installations etc].

[2] Another alternative, see here => Windows Updates - Remove Outdated Updates in Windows 7.

I hope this helps!

Based on experience with older operating systems I would expect updates to be available after Jan 2020 - for a time. Whether that be weeks, months, or years is unknown. Microsoft has made no announcement and may never. I expect it will depend on how much it is used and at present that is unknowable. It could end at any time without prior notice.

The free upgrade to Windows 10 officially ended long ago but last I heard it still works.

After you have received the last update and your system is stable you would do well to make an image backup of your OS. That way you will be able to recover if anything happens.

Thank you guys.

Windows Update Catalog would be OK, if I knew exactly what I was looking for. I was thinking of the outstanding updates remaining available via WU.

.NET Framework. Control Panel tells me I have v4.0.30319 installed. But what, if anything is using .NEW will remain a mystery. I did find this process - How to check if a program is using .NET? - Stack Overflow. Performance Monitor did not show anything.

After Jan 14, 2020, Win7 will go away as the previous versions of Windows OS have.
Upgrade to Windows 10 is still free. I'm running dual boot, on two SSDs. 4 OSs.
Bill

Try this Download Dism++ - MajorGeeks
Explain, if you wish!

Hi DarkStar GT,

DarkStar GT said:

.NET Framework. Control Panel tells me I have v4.0.30319 installed.

Click to expand...

Paul Black said:

They can be installed in more than one place which my batch script accomodates and allows for!

Click to expand...

You Rock
Paul Black

DarkStar GT said:

(1) I can see the available updates listed in WU. If I choose not to install some of them will they still be available after Jan 2020?

Click to expand...

Don't see why not, updates for XP are still available in the Update Catalog.



Microsoft Update Catalog - XP updates

Breelander
Look at the XP dates on your M$ cat link!
2006
2009

Will be same with Win7
Yes
Bill

Snick said:

Breelander
Look at the XP dates on your M$ cat link!
2006
2009

Click to expand...

It's not sorted by date, you have to click on 'Last Updated' for that. Try it and look again. lots of updates right up to the end of support on April 8, 2014, then seven more in 2017, the first three for the WannaCry/SMB1 issue, and a surprisingly recent one, KB4500331, dated 5/9/2019.

How-To Geek said:

Microsoft just patched a remote code execution hole in Windows XP with a critical update—over five years after it left mainstream support. However, Windows Update won’t automatically install it. You’ll have to manually download and install it from Microsoft’s website.

Click to expand...

Still on Windows XP? Update Manually or Get Wormed

Will be same with Win7
Yes

Click to expand...

I certainly hope so, critical updates long after end of support
Yes

Enterprise version of Win7 will continue on a pay as you go basis
Systems Administration over network for Businesses.

Win7
Basic, Home, Pro, Ultimate, no, no critical updates, no security updates.
GO TO WINDOWS 10
Upgrade is still Free.

Bill