Solved Windows Updates Is Killing Windows 7 pro 64 bit Performance

I use to be able to install windows updates one by one to see if they caused any negative effects before installing the next one. This was also useful because there are certain updates that I know to never install for one reason or another. I reinstalled Win 7 and I had windows updates set as, " Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them". However, it never notified me of any available updates and when I clicked "Update Now" I got an error code 80072EFE.
I can however install the Win 7 Service Pack 2 which is nothing more than a windows update rollup to 2016. And, after I do the rollup windows updates works and I get notices that other updates are available to download. Unfortunately, I just learned the hard way not to install the rollup. When I install the whole rollup to 2016 it turns my computer to crap. Every task takes a couple seconds longer to perform (I'm waiting for them to finish) and there are things flashing on the screen from time to time that you just catch from the corner of your eye for a second. Also, sometimes things will hang, freeze up, stop responding. Basically, the 2016 rollup just kills my performance.
I ended up doing a second OS reinstall just to totally wipe out any windows updates. Right now my computer is running great, every task finishes as quickly as I click/start them. There is no more hanging, not responding or screen flashes.
Do I Really Need Windows Updates??? You know what they say, "If something isn't broke then don't try to fix it. I use Bitdefender Premium security and called to ask about any security risks from not installing windows updates. I was told that Bitdefender over rides the firewall as well as all windows security features. They said the only issue it that I may miss out on certain windows driver updates and maybe some OS system fixes, compatibility fixes.
I would like to install some, just not the entire 2016 rollup, can anyone help with the "Update Now" error code 80072EFE?
Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

Emsisoft AM/AV forced me to run some WUs, after it returned to normal aok working, I stopped WUs. I use SecurityXploded's WU disabler, no more WUs. However, remember this is my personal choice, I make no strong recommendations to anyone to stop WUs. IMO, to WU or not WU is a personal choice
I just now remembered you did an OS reinstall, did that include SP2? If not, get SP2 from one of the superfolks here - they can direct you to the proper URL. You might want to get 0patch, free or licensed, such can fill in a number of critical and/or security patches. I have the licensed version on both laptops.

They broke selfupdate of the Windows Update Client. Install the March 2016 one.

Microsoft Update Catalog

Regards, VZ

RolandJS said:

I just now remembered you did an OS reinstall, did that include SP2? If not, get SP2 from one of the superfolks here - they can direct you to the proper URL. You might want to get 0patch, free or licensed, such can fill in a number of critical and/or security patches. I have the licensed version on both laptops.

Click to expand...

No, the reinstall did not include the SP2, the SP2/WU rollup to 2016 is downloadable from the Microsoft site.
As I stated in my question, I already had it installed and it caused problems on my PC.
I went on the Opatch site to read up and I noticed that it would be constantly running in the background which would most likely slow down my PC to some degree. I spend all day trading stocks and I have to have a very quick and responsive PC. Have you noticed any slowdown/lagtime on the responsiveness of your PC after installing Opatch?

Volume Z said:

They broke selfupdate of the Windows Update Client. Install the March 2016 one.

Microsoft Update Catalog

Regards, VZ

Click to expand...

That's Microsoft for you, control freaks. Actually, the individual self update works after you install the 2016 rollup. However, as I stated in my question, I can't install the whole 2016 rollup or my PC becomes useless.

Get SP1, not SP2, from the folks here, they can direct you to Simplix. Simplix might even have SP2 if you want it.
I lost track, desktop or laptop? If desktop, if it has PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse, get PS/2 KB & MSE, such are much faster than USB or wireless (which also depends upon USB bus). 0patch did not affect laptops at all, getting critical and security updates from them was without any problems whatsoever. I have licensed 0patch, a little bit better than free 0patch.

Xp4me said:

Actually, the individual self update works after you install the 2016 rollup.

Click to expand...

No, it doesn't. You don't know what I'm talking about. Also I'm not suggesting to install the rollup. The March 2016 update client KB3138612 is what you want. Give that one a shot and do the contemplating later.

Microsoft Update Catalog

Volume Z said:

No, it doesn't. You don't know what I'm talking about. Also I'm not suggesting to install the rollup. The March 2016 update client KB3138612 is what you want. Give that one a shot and do the contemplating later.

Microsoft Update Catalog

Click to expand...

What exactly is KB3138612 and what does it do, no detailed description on MS page. It just simply states: This update contains some improvements to Windows Update Client in Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
This update includes Windows Update support for Windows 10 updates (feature updates) that are distributed though WSUS (content released after May 1, 2016). See related update 3159706.This is a whole package just like the 2016 rollup, so whats the difference?

This is not just one little update, this is a whole package just like the 2016 rollup. If this doesn't fix my issue of not being able to install single updates at a time what's the point. What does it do exactly and how is it different from the 2016 rollup.

Who said it doesn't fix your issue? It fixes Windows Update, but not selfupdate of the Windows Update Client, which is two different things.

To be more exact it fixes error code 80072EFE at a file size of 3,2 MB as opposed to the Rollup's 476,9 MB.

Also what do you mean "no detailed description". The page has Windows Update Client all over it.

Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: March 2016

A current Windows Update Client missing is the source of your issue.

Volume Z said:

Who said it doesn't fix your issue? It fixes Windows Update, but not selfupdate of the Windows Update Client, which is two different things.

To be more exact it fixes error code 80072EFE at a file size of 3,2 MB as opposed to the Rollup's 476,9 MB.

Also what do you mean "no detailed description". The page has Windows Update Client all over it.

Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: March 2016

A current Windows Update Client missing is the source of your issue.

Click to expand...

Thank you very much

I have the same issue with that error code 80072EFE. I'm going to try that download and see if it fixes Windows Update. I'll be back and let you know. I'm just putting a Win 7 system together again because I get tired of the issues with Windows Media Player, Windows Explorer's Green Bar and "Open With" errors. But I have some other snags to work through and this is one of them.