Windows 7 update install time taking a very long time

Anonymous

Well I have a Windows 7 OS, and I shut down my laptop yesterday but then it automatically went in sleep mode as I slept. As I awoken it in the morning I see its at installing updates 32 of 45. Though I see the same thing in the night with no change. I also see my hard-drive light flashing like it normally does when it's doing something but is this normal and if not what can I do? Also this computer is only 3 days old, and I have not made a recovery media due to lack of media I can use to use for the back up.

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Anonymous

Hi ChaosDragon92,

You may restart your computer, then use the below steps and check if this helps resolve the issues-

Method 1: You may use the windows update troubleshooter and check if it lists and resolves any issues -

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Windows-Update-troubleshooter

Method 2: Also I would suggest you to check in the update history if you are getting any error codes for the failed updates. If you get any errors, do provide us the same to assist you better. To check the recent updates installed on your computer.

View updates history -

a. Click Start, Settings and then control panel (all items view). Click on the Windows Update icon.

b. Click on view update history link.

c. To view the details of a single update select and right click on a listed windows update, then click on view details. Click Close when done.

You may also refer to the below link for additional assistance and check if these assist you-

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Troubleshoot-problems-with-installing-updates

Method 3: **** Use the system update readiness tool –

Download the System Readiness Tool.The System Update Readiness Tool checks your computer and tries to resolve certain conditions that could interfere with the installation of updates or other software.Here is a link to download System Readiness Tool; you may do it according to the exact configuration of the computer:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821

****After you download and then run the System Update Readiness Tool, restart your computer. Then check if you are able to install the updates properly.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Meghmala – Microsoft Support

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123 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-02-10T20:50:02+00:00

not helpful ... any of these three suggestions. get used to hours and hours of staring at "0% complete." frustrating beyond belief.
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Anonymous

2016-02-10T21:00:45+00:00

been sitting here for over an hour trying to download (only) 10 updates - and still looking at "0% complete". this is completely unacceptable

*** also and I need to free up disk space on " c "...unable to do this...tried ccleaner, defrag, delete only to be told to log in as EITHER system admin and or trusted...aaaahhhhh!!!!
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Anonymous

2016-02-10T21:16:40+00:00
It doesn't matter if there are 10 updates or 235 (clean install of W7 SP1), it will stay at 0% for hours.

I started timing it and it can range from 3 or 4 hours to overnight (ie almost 24 hrs).

A few suggestions:
- use a wired connection
- power scheme high, ie it won't go to sleep, ok for screen to go blank, but not the system
- wait, and wait and wait, and eventually, you will get the list
Once you have the list, select in this order:
- hardware driver (graphics, audio, wifi, touchpad, etc.), reboot, repeat waiting
- then the dot net stuff
- then the security update
This will take DAYS to complete, but it is the only way. Trying 'fixes' often makes it worse, I know, I tried. It takes patience.

As for the optional/recommended/other updates, I am tempted to say ignore all of them. My list of ones to avoid has hit 30 now and growing. When in doubt, omit!

Search on line and hide the 30+ known spyware/nagware/telemetry 'fixes'. Get GWX Control Panel and prevent W10 **** from infecting your PC.

If Micro$oft think we will eventually give up and move to 10, that won't happen (unless someone perfects and releases a new Privacy Addon for 10 - they are starting to appear now). We're looking at Linux and Apple for our clients ever since 8 came out.

Some of my colleagues are picking up older HW for next to nothing (or free) and they are installing Win7 on them. The demand for 7 seems to be growing :)
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Anonymous

2016-02-11T15:25:25+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply, RickMtl - sometimes (as I guess many of us do with this frustration) it feels like I'm the only one dealing with this nonsense. Which, from this thread and others online, is clearly not the case. I'mnot IT, so your help is really appreciated. And, in that regard, a question for clarification...

I changed the power settings. Check. I also did the GWX Control Panel deal.

And about the update list... Can you clarify the three that you mention in order here? I ask because I have 36 recommended updates - 30 of which are the Security Update(s) that you mentioned, and another 6 that are simply "Update for Windows 7 for 64-based systems." You mention that the hardware driver updates should be first, followed by dot-net stuff. Am I right that I'm showing neither of these?

And then I should just download all 36 updates, and these will take days to configure? (I guess I actually asked two questions; sorry about that). Thanks again!
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