Windows 7 annoying "Unsupported Hardware" pop ups

You mean just right out of the blue you see a message like this:

Or do you only see it when performing a Windows Update operation?

That feature came along with the optional update KB4012218 which you can read about here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4012218/march-2017-preview-of-monthly-quality-rollup-for-windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1

Since KB4012218 contains no security updates/features and it is optional it is probably something your system can live without.

Look in Control Panel, Windows Update, Installed Updates and if you see KB4012218 listed, uninstall it, reboot and then see how things look.

If KB4012218 is offered to you again you can right click and hide it so (hopefully) you will never see it again.

The same problem just started on it's own today.  I didn't do a manual update search, that's on auto.  I do not see any updates with that number anywhere.  

After reading MS's page regarding how to fix this problem, I'm as upset as Denver is.  I just built this custom desktop and do not want to go through and redo all my software, etc. again.  This is taking up my valuable time and I'm very upset with Gates.  Does he not have enough money??  I already paid him for a registered copy of 7 that had not been used yet.

The big question is will any future updates be done, or is it just the processor updates, and how will not getting them affect the quality and security of my computer?

These days having Windows Update set to automatic is not the healthiest thing for Windows.

Let's see here...  what details do we know about your new system - nothing.

If you just built your custom desktop is it current with Service Pack 1 and other Windows updates?

What is the link to "MS's page regarding how to fix this problem"?

The issue could also be related to KB4015549 which you can read about here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4015549/windows-7-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1-update-kb4015549

Hi ElderN,

Yes it is KB4015549 that creates this issue. It is not an Optional update but an Important one. I and most users choose to keep Automatic Updates on to avoid having to choose them all the time. The point is Microsoft is trying to force Windows 10 onto all its users. Users should have the option to use whichever Operating System is suitable to them. Windows 10 is filled with bugs that still haven't been fixed. So I prefer to continue using Windows 7.

Good report and that helps.

Mid last year when Windows 10 was offered for free it caused much grief in the community for folks that didn't want it but the notifications and other things kept popping up - how to get rid of them?!  And some updates began to look much like spyware, snooping and data collection on your system but of course none of your personal information or data would ever be collected - really?  Nobody wanted that stuff either.

Many users decided to just set Windows Update to never check for updates, then you are in control of your system instead of Microsoft.  That way you check for updates periodically and install the updates that YOU want instead of what MS thinks you should have.  Still there are folks that just install all the updates offered without looking at them and then come the topics with descriptions like "Windows Update broke my computer!"

For me and many others that would just be only consider installing updates that have the word "Security" in them and only after reading the descriptions.  There will be no more enhancements or bug fixes for Windows 7 - just patches until 2020.

You may find of interest this topic from October about the subject:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/windows-update-how-will-it-change-your-system/6d2ee7f8-908f-4ddb-8fd9-1eab55773141?tm=1476461665170