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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2016-10-01T15:08:26+00:00

    Let me see if I can answer this so that everyone can see what happened.

    Last year Windows 7 updates began to slow down with the release of WUA version 7.6.7601.19161

    It was not too bad, 15 to 20 minutes to perform a negotiation with the Microsoft site for the viable patches needed.

    Suddenly for Home and Pro on July 29th, 2015 that SAME negotiation to the SAME MS URL now takes between 5 to 20 times longer.  On July 30th Enterprise slowed down, and some time after the 1st of August (I dont remember the date) Ultimate slowed down as well.

    There has been NOTHING from Microsoft as to why, or how to fix for months.

    By the way, if you don't recognize the date, July 29th is when Windows 10 was released.

    However, there is good news.

    In June '16 Microsoft released a Rollup patch under KB3161608 that upgrades the WUA to 7.6.7601.23453.

    And in July, because of some minor issues with that one, they Superseded it with KB3172605.

    Once that KB is installed on your Windows 7,7x64,2008R2,2011SBS you will see patch scan times run like you have never seen them before.

    In my line of work I support an RMM package, and, to date, the speed record from request to scan to the upload and recording of the viable patches from a system is now 26 seconds.  Yes, I said seconds.

    Though MS has, to my knowledge, not admitted they FIXED their WU issues, they have done so.

    For those of you still running Vista, sorry.  Patch scan times of 7 to 20 hours are normal.

    Until MS brings that same WUA routine to Vista, you will suffer.

    Oh, and 8/8.1/8.1u1 will still take 2 to 6 minutes on average.  Maybe we should push them to apply that same update to 8 before it gets too late?

    Also, I have had, in my line of work again, complaints that KB3172605 breaks some 3rd party software.  From my point of view, tough!  Install the patch, get rid of that software.  If you need it, go to that manufacture and make them recompile to Microsoft Standards and fix their system.  

    Note, KB3172605 does have a pre-req of a an April patch KB3020369.

    I am not an employee directly or indirectly of MS.  I work for an RMM software provider and have to deal with the Microsoft moving window of Windows Updates everyday.

    -Have a Happy Monday, everyday!

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-10-01T12:11:34+00:00

    I have made a new installation windows 7 home premium after complete installation process I proceed to update.

    Crazy I have with the windows update more 12 hours with green bar go forward and blackguard, without any update.

    I have tried as many have answered and suggested on these question and it go worst, I couldn't update any package on new installation because Microsoft have change to additional software and components must be done through windows update process.

    It's looks crazy because default internet application on windows home premium installation software is version 8 and many pages as Microsoft detects Internet explorer version and stop allowing to navigated.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-07-12T20:33:10+00:00

    That is because Microsoft is forcing everyone to have they new SPY operating system Windows 10, so they have moved windows 7 updates to another server that before it start updates it will spy all your computer and off course it is very slow going through all your photos and files.

    What if its a clean install of Windows 7 which should have bare minimum bloat ware that you see from PC sells like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, MSI, Samsung, Toshiba... etc.

    ppl make it out to be bad, but no one says jack when its working, you only hear a squealing mouse when they get hurt. Windows 8 and 10 are no different when it comes to updates, for Macs, it so proprietary it breaks when it's being updated, for linux, its like your own your own, most linux install are not even supported by their devs.

    Not to mention most programs/apps/market is mainly Windows. You shouldn't expect just because Windows fails you the world will follow suit and join you in migration bandwagon to Mac and Linux. They barely have relevance in the world... the only market share they have are CAD users and hackers and terrorists because apparently Apple will protect terrorists that use their product even if they are dead.

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