Why are Windows updates so slow (and long) with VISTA

To all who have answered this post/question

It seems pretty obvious that Microsoft Update works VERY slowly with Vista.  I made several comparisons with XP and Win7, using the same broadband connection and the differences are OBVIOUS (no need of any precise measurement... a sundial will do it).

So, it is of me clear that either

• the system in VISTA is so inefficient that it takes a lot of time to figure out which updates are needed

OR

• the server used for VISTA downloads is a slow and inefficient machine... 

I'd like to hear from Microsoft...

Paul.

Lucky for me, 15 mins later the download is still at 0.0 percent!

And you really wonder why people are switching to Apple even though they hate everything that company stands for...

Hi bornival,

Welcome to Microsoft Answers Forum.

Time taken by Windows updates depend on the type of Internet connection you have and the size and number of updates your computer needs. However, updates are automatically downloaded behind the scenes when you're online. They do not interfere with other downloads, and if you disconnect they will continue to download in the background the next time you go online.

For answers to some common questions about updating Windows automatically, refer

Understanding Windows automatic updating

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Understanding-Windows-automatic-updating

For answers to some common questions about updates, see

Updates: frequently asked questions

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Updates-frequently-asked-questions

Hope this answers your question.

Regards,

Shinmila H - Microsoft Support

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forumand let us know what you think

 

Well it seems a bit onesided to comment on the customers internet speed when most people are boosting 20mbit connections right?

It took windows updater 19 minutes to figure out what updates I need... So it makes me wonder how long the 200mb download will take. I guess I'll cancel my plans for this evening.

What ALL of you are failing to take into account is Microsoft's admission that Vista is ****. They never put it out in a press release but how loudly does a life span of 2 years then a complete redesign in to Windows 7 speak? I mean XP is STILL mainstream and USEFUL in 95% of the businesses I provide tech support for. The fact that 7 was released so close behind Vista tells me Vista is JUNK! If you are still messing with Vista, THEREIN lies your problem! Upgrade to WINDOWS 7. I have NONE OF THE ISSUES YOU ALL ARE DESCRIBING!

There is an alternative that goes by the name of ACRONIS or GHOST. Acronis is fast, lighweight, and simple. While Ghost is complicated, slower and a resource HOG. go with the one you know and love and cut reimage time by 3/4.

 -The tech in me scoffs at MS OS DESIGN / IMPLEMENTATION FAIL!

I agree. Started a clean install of Vista-32 yesterday (I do PC repair ). Vista is ridiculous when it comes to installing updates.  I'd say 3 hours last night and 2.5 hours today and it's still not finished. Right now it's installing SP1 (it's been doing this for 45min) and its still not finished. The progress bar doesn't even show a millimeter of green. This is not cool. Nothing else is running except Anti-V and other background processes. Whats weird is the 400MB+ initial update finished in about 45min. SP1 is what 50MB? (I think that's what it said). Anyway, very frustrating. I need to f9ind a faster way in the future. Guess I'll look into slip streaming.