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
    2016-05-15T01:05:04+00:00

    For those who wants faster updates, there's three key updates, the last two must both must be installed for this to work. 

    KB3102810 (this one takes time, even on a fast SSD), so if you have business to attend to/errands to run, start the process after download, will spend forever 'searching for updates on the computer'. This one is designed to solve the 100% CPU usage when searching for updates. On some systems, the update will cancel, I don't have an answer for this. 

    One of the other I had already, is a security update in KB3145739, and the other is KB3138612. Note that both of these must be installed for 'slow updates' to speed up, not just one. 

    Now, for those not wanting W10, I understand & feel the same. However one can create a registry entry 'DisableOSUpgrade' & give a value of 1 to block W10 from self-installing, as seen in the below instructions. This came from an article on how to block W10 upgrades, and these updates are not removed in the process. Source link will be posted after the disable registry instruction quote below. 

    'Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Policies -> Microsoft -> Windows. Right-click on Windows and select option to create a new key and name it “WindowsUpdate”. Now right-click on the WindowsUpdate key you just created and select option to create new 32-bit DWORD and name it “DisableOSUpgrade”. Right-click on DisableOSUpgrade and select modify option and change value from 0 to 1.'

    http://techne.alaya.net/?p=12499

    If you don't want W10 & also want to remove Telemetry, CEIP & 'compatibility' updates that 'phones home' (even on W7, 8.1 & to an extent, Vista), then follow the complete instructions, there is even a provided .bat file that can be opened as Administrator to remove the offending updates. Some like me with Linksys routers will find the website filtering difficult, all one needs to do is revisit the Web page above, which is refreshed every 2-3 months. 

    Good Luck!

    Cat

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T17:49:05+00:00

    This slowness is clearly another tactic by Microsoft to get people to upgrade to Windows 10.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-12T01:26:53+00:00

    Yea come on already Microsloth!! 

    I've got 32 updates waiting. I tried breaking it down into chunks.

    I tried to install just 1 update, which is 72kb. You'd think hey, this will only take a few minutes right?

    Nope, it won't update, I guess because it's out of order.

    Anyway, Microsoft, this is absolutely ridiculous!

    Before I left the house earlier it showed 6 updates. So I let it update those 6 while I was gone. It took most of the 4 hours to install 6 update, and now I have 33 more.

    And another thing! The 0% complete NEVER CHANGES. FIX YOUR SOFTWARE!

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-05T22:56:54+00:00

    I don't get any notification, no error messages, it just takes hours and not on only one computer but on all five.

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