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

Anonymous
2012-01-02T23:18:56+00:00

original title: We'll search the Windows forum for an answerWhy are Windows updates so slow (and long) with Windows 7

I have a new netbook with windows 7 starter.

Last night when I tried to shut down, I got a message about updating and not to shut down.  If I recall correctly, the download consisted of 49 items.

Today when I turned the computer on, after I entered my password, the computer told me to not shut down and stage 3 was in process.

Then it switched to a "Windows 7 Starter" screen (Windows 7 Starter with the windows logo at the bottom of a patterned blue screen, the same screen I get when booting up before the password screen appears.)  There is no other info on the screen.

It has been a couple of hours since the screen appeared and nothing else appears to be going on.  For the first 40 minutes, the hard drive light was on almost constantly, since then there is an occasional "blink" of the hard drive light.

Is this normal?

If so how long should I expect the process to take?

If not, (how would I be able to tell), what happens if I turn the computer off (assuming I can), and is there any way of recovering?

Anything else I should do?

Suggestions:

1.  Provide the user with some indication that something is happening, and show progress so we know its not just locked up.

2.  Offer an option where the user can delay the long configuration (or whatever is happening) so that if the computer is needed for critical work related use, the user won't get fired.

Thanks

tom

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2012-01-03T15:00:42+00:00

Hi,

 It seems to be an issue with the updates installation.

Please follow the article mentioned below:

An update is not installed successfully when you try to install the update in Windows Vista and Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-12-16T10:10:30+00:00

    This is a disaster! Windows 10 updates take 70minutes..I have job to do and the deadline!

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-23T19:22:42+00:00

    Mine was super slow for months after I rolled back from Windows 10 then it seemed to fix itself. I have checked and I DO have that update in September 2016 so I guess that's what did it!

    I have no issues with Windows 7 now but when it finally expires I'm going for a Mac after the experience I had with Windows 10. Hopefully it will last a while.....

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-22T20:17:25+00:00

    Me too -- I upgraded to Fedora 25, and that cured all my problems..

    BTW, Windows is my second OS, used for games/benchmarking, Linux Mint MATE is my main OS, and the Cinnamon version is considered by many the perfect 'drop in' Windows 7 replacement. 

    https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

    The Xfce edition is perfect for computers with low resources, although most any that was sold as Windows 7 ready should run MATE or Cinnamon fine. The latter has more of the effects of Windows 7, while MATE is great for business, both ships with a 100% Free Office suite, that for many Home users, are all that's needed. 

    The downside is that is one wants to run IE or MS Edge, these doesn't install on Linux, however Google Chrome, Vivaldi, Opera, FlashPeak Slimjet (an ad free, fast browser) & some other 3rd party browsers installs perfectly. A .deb file is downloaded, which in essence the same as an .exe file. The only other action needed is entering one's password when installing. Updates to these comes through the Mint updating system, something that Windows doesn't offer for 3rd party software. 

    Have been a Linux Mint MATE user for 8+ years with very little trouble, and none of that was over the update system not working. 

    Given the Ransomware threats of today, of which Microsoft showed a page devoted to coverage, note that these are useless on Linux OS's. Of course, one should use common sense when running any OS, yet I've never been infected in anyway running Linux Mint, and Ubuntu prior to then. Not once. 

    Some food for thought as support for Windows 7 is winding down.;-)

    Cat

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-05-22T20:01:51+00:00

    Check out Post #88 below, this is all that's needed to get Windows Updates going on Windows 7. 

    https://www.sevenforums.com/windows-updates-activation/347490-windows-7-update-stuck-checking-updates-9.html

    Hope this helps someone!

    Cat

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