Windows 7 update install time taking a very long time

That was before they started rolling updates up into more convenient packages.  Each update was handled separately.  After applying this fix I got to experience this more convenient patching system for Windows 7, even though it was still over a gig of data that needed to be crunched.

As for Windows 10 and "spying" I really have no thoughts or opinions on the matter.  Almost every technology company collects data from users, and now it's pretty much across all industries and services.  There's really no where and no one you can do business with that doesn't try to scoop up as much information on you as possible.  I don't have the FBI and CIA breaking my door down so if Microsoft wants to try and sell me stuff they can try all they want; just because advertising is served up to me doesn't mean I have to pay attention to it.  I don't feel paranoid that Microsoft is gathering usage data on me.  I'm the kind of person who let any questioning party have my complete medical data when I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer too.  So if my most personal information I willingly gave up isn't a problem then someone trying to figure out how to get me to buy their stuff means next to nothing.

I am glad you said that around September 2015 is when the issues with MS started.  Exactly as you stated, that the push for Windows 10 and MS's incredibly aggressive moves to shove 10 down our throats is when my computer problems started with updates, downloads and even backups became a problem. 

Once my rejection for windows 10 was chosen the wrath from MS was revealed.  I can't stand the absolute arrogance of MS and the fact that they haven't listened to the public on what they liked and the user friendly XP.  The public is more than fed up with this attitude when it comes to buying their next computer choices.  Windows 7 was terrible compared to XP and 8.1 was worse.  10 isn't even an option as MS continues to prove that they don't care what the people want and like and continue to change everything for the worse as time progresses.  Perhaps the IT people love the changes from XP to 10 but if the average home user can't understand how to find all the secret paths to do what is necessary for a basic functioning system then it becomes an expensive piece of trash.

I don't understand what you mean that secret paths are needed to find basic functions.  The Control Panel is right behind the Settings section of Windows 10.  If one doesn't want to use the new Settings panel all they have to do is type Control Panel into the search bar next to the Windows button and it comes right up.  Windows 10 is more like a skin for Windows 7, which I know is totally oversimplified, but all the familiar functions of the OS are still there and operating the same.

True win10 skin looks good, but ms hides options that allow users to change defaults. The also make it difficult to find things (I'd give you a list but it is too long). They have also publicly stated the control panel will disappear as they know what's best for customers.

Win10 like win7??? Really?? Maybe if you add spying to win7. That is slowly happening with the undocumented Win7 updates.

I don't understand how people say things like, "so what, I don't have anything g to hide"

Do you really want someone having access to you camera, mic, GPS location, contacts,calendar,and know all the web sites you searched and visited?

Do you want them to know which apps you run, when you run them and for how long?

More and more people are looking at macs and Linux. Younger users won't be caught dead with a computer running Windows. Have you seen many millennials with anything but macs?