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
    2017-05-23T19:22:42+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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-16T10:58:42+00:00

    Yup, same problem for my daughter who didn't roll back to Windows 7 in time and has been lumbered with Windows 10 ever since (with me having to sort out issues regularly - grrr!).

    She also had an urgent job-related request the other night and found her machine was doing an update. She had to stay up until after midnight waiting for it to finish so she could get on with her job.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-01-26T20:09:02+00:00

    It's important to install the latest version of the Windows 7 Update Agent, this helps to greatly reduce update times. 

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3138612/windows-update-client-for-windows-7-and-windows-server-2008-r2-march-2

    If a 1st gen reinstall of Windows 7, the SP1 install can be downloaded & installed separately, this speeds up that process. Download the ISO, burn to DVD or mount the ISO & allow to run. Save this ISO for future needs, it'll install the correct SP for Windows 7, be it 32 or 64 bit. If your install is already SP1, move onto the instructions underneath the link below. 

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5842

    Finally, in two steps, download and install the pseudo SP2 to really get the boat rocking, this helped me a lot, advanced users can slipstream the updates into SP1 reinstall media. Be sure to install in the order as the links below, the smaller file must be installed first. Make sure to choose the right version (32 or 64 bit) for your install & then run it. It's fine (& recommended) to first download both updates before installing either, makes the job faster. Save these for when needed again on an external in a marked folder. 

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3156417/may-2016-update-rollup-for-windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp

    Here's the larger one, copy/paste link into your browser, the first is for 64 bit, second for 32 bit & install. 

    download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/updt/2016/05/windows6.1-kb3125574-v4-x64_2dafb1d203c8964239af3048b5dd4b1264cd93b9.msu

    download.windowsupdate.com/d/msdownload/update/software/updt/2016/05/windows6.1-kb3125574-v4-x86_ba1ff5537312561795cc04db0b02fbb0a74b2cbd.msu

    These actions should get the updates rolling! If not, then download/install .NET Framework 4.7.1, same version works with both 32 & 64 bit Windows 7. Be sure to download either of the smaller files & install first, or .NET 4.7.1 install will be blocked. 

    Windows 7 SP1 x86, use this link

    Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 x64, use this link.

    Then .NET Framework 4.7.1 (latest version). 

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=56116

    All of the above should get Windows 7 updates rolling! Just make sure in Services that Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is set to Automatic (Delayed Start) and if needed, start the service to the left of the box. If it shows 'Restart', then it's already running. 

    Good Luck!

    Cat

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