Windows 7 update install time taking a very long time

Anonymous
2010-11-23T05:04:32+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2010-11-24T04:01:53+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-09T13:03:04+00:00

    So this is the way Microsoft punish users who don't want to upgrade to W10. I hope Linux and Khronos Vulkan can gain traction in gaming development. The only thing that keeps me from leaving this piece of **** is gaming.

    What will really help is if the business community starts to seriously look into Linux distributions.  Our study group has been doing some serious testing with Mint and Debian and we are all impressed.  You can try out these 'live CDs' with a single download.  Boot from the media without installing anything.

    These ISO come with everything: Linux, Libre Office, Firefox, and all the utilities and tools one needs for day to day use.

    Add that they are more security and require minimal hardware and you have a serious alternative to any version of Windows.

    Add a cheap NAS (QNAP or Synology) and you don't need Windows Server.

    Sure, for large companies, switching will be almost impossible, but for the small office / home office, I urge everyone to check out Linux.

    Maybe then Micro$oft will wake up.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-15T07:19:57+00:00

    Microsoft consists of chronic failures with extremely small penises. The ONLY way that they can control you is through the computer and since they have no personality, integrity, or interpersonal skills they must derive their since of self worth by intentional disruption of others' lives. You would think that with their "superior" intellects that  they would take the positive approach, but apparently their is NO GOOD IN THEM! Like demagogues they use whatever control they can muster to punish you into submission. Whereas with "normal" human beings knowledge of a job well done and simple appreciation would be enough for their fragile egos.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-21T04:57:49+00:00

    Please know, when I downloaded the "readiness tool" suggested earlier in this thread (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947821), and installed it, it invalidated my copy of windows; yee, thanks..., now I have the nasty issue with the "conterfeit copy of windows" message popping up everytime, and neither windows update neither the 'genuine advantage' tool can fix it.  So now, I do not have neither readiness nor any genuine advantage at all!!  it sucks, now I'll need to fully re-install this $#17, 'as I don't have the time to mess up with flaky solutions.

    I fully agree with all the problem with windows update in general, and I'm another IT Pro with 30+ yrs. experience.  Use linux where-ever you can!!

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-03-22T07:39:27+00:00

    I almost ran that System Update Readiness tool, too.   I chickened out.  I scanned the installer with MS Security Essentials and the scan found thousands of "items".  They weren't malicious, but I felt uncomfortable about an installer with 80,000 items.  That freaked me out a little. 80K things that could go wrong. The scan was still running when I aborted. 

    I did run the Win Update troubleshooting diagnostic and it ran fast, fixed a few things.  Download it from MS; it's not the same as the one already in Win 7 (which was no help).

    After doing a lot of Googling about this problem, the trick seems to be to keep Win Updates off, while you manually download and install the newest Win Update client first.  MS has been patching and releasing them almost monthly...not a good sign!

    Then turn Win Updates on (setting: Check, do not download/install).  Don't mix the security updates with the Recommended/Optional ones..that's too much.  My March updates took almost six hours.  I wrote up my Win Update battle on another thread:

    Why are Windows updates so slow (and long) with Windows 7

    http://answers.microsoft.com/thread/b785ff84-b00e-43b1-8628-40cdccb77aca

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