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

Bringing this thread into 2013.

As a Geeksquad remote support agent, I support every Windows Operating system from XP to 8, and I can say without a doubt that Vista updates take about 3 times as long to install, and 4 times as long to check for a new update. It's a horrid system, and even though Microsoft seems to be unable to come out and say it, I think we all know for certain that Vista's updating mechanism is a flawed system, and there is no fix save for updating to a better operating system.

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Time taken by Windows updates depend on the type of Internet connection you have and the size and number of updates your computer needs. …

Shinmila H - Microsoft Support…

Downloads for my Vista Ultimate x64 take a very long time, even thought my connection is 50Mb/sec+ and there are no updates, a small fraction of what my XP Pro x64 takes.  And when downloading, they are very slow, barely registering Task Manager's Networking.

Are there additional reasons why they take so long?

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Like you, I had to reinstall Vista and, as you mention, it too me more than one day ! ...  I have done the same with XP several times, and it was MUCH faster.

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I have to reinstall Vista Ultimate x64 every 6-18 months, usually because of Update failures, and the last time it took over two days for a minimal install - most of the time waiting for Windows Update.  Finally I wised up and back up the Windows partition very regularly.

Dear Forum Moderator,

Please, explain the rationale of your request to post reactions to the slow updates of Vista to a new thread. 

I initiated this thread and found the reactions quite useful (including this long post explaining what the problems (really) are). 

Although it did not help solving the problem, it was most interesting as the first reactions I got from "Microsoft Professionals" were essentially to deny what everyone could see and experience (i.e. that Vista updates ARE slow).

So, please, leave this thread open for further insights in the problem, and, hopefully, a communication from

Microsoft that they have realized what the problem was and that a solution is on its way.  I guess someone in Microsoft some day said "we listen to you" ...  It is now time to really listen and this thread is where Microsoft should listen...

Regards,

I found the solution, and when you see it you'll understand why the MS Tech types don't talk about it...

It' just five letters long, it's L, I, N, U, & X.

Just been reading this thread after suffering a 30 minute overall routine minor auto update on my vista laptop.  (1.8GHz core2duo 3MB RAM). Reboot took 20 minutes!  I have suffered this issue almost from square 1.  Repeated reboots, defrags and occasional use of CCleaner have helped a little in the past but its getting beyond help now, it seems.

It beggars belief that over 4 YEARS from the OP's question, Microsoft's (or their forum moderator's) TOTAL contribution has been "Its your Interconnection speed" or "Start a new thread for more relevant attention".... inferring there is no problem.

Surely its in the moderators' interests to have a core MS technician address the problem which appears in manifest forums and blogs apart from this one?   Are they not embarrassed at all?  Even if the technician just said "Sorry, yes we screwed up but can do nothing about it in retrospect.", we would at least know where we stand, rather than live in a state of suspended anticipation.  I can only assume that in the ludicrously litigious USA (yes I know we are following closely on their heels)  this would open them up to demands for free upgrades to 7 or 8.

I venture to suggest that a free upgrade is now the very LEAST we should expect after such appalling indifference.  Common courtesy demands.

(I get the same service from BT... they must have employed surplus MS customer service staff!)

Sad.