Windows 7 update problems

[hallmark]

Even doing that..... do so many, shut down and restart a few times or it could jam

[smudwhisk]

Updates don't jam, they just effectively end up queued and show as failed or cancelled at the end of the process.  Its rare for an update on Win7 to require a reboot before another is installed, it can happen but tends to be for things like service packs or major updates.  That said, as Mike has also said, you just let it get on with it and they will eventually clear but it may mean several attempts and reboots.  However, if an update is superceded by a later version, it will show as failed and then disappear next time a check for updates is done (or often after the reboot).

There is a way of forcing a PC to reconnect to Windows Update by running a couple of commands from a command prompt.  That resets it and then the second command tells it recheck with windows update.  This definitely works on Win7 and earlier, and may work on later versions I just haven't got a later O/S at present.

If you click on Start, select All Programs, then select Accessories.

Click on Command Prompt (a black window will appear with a prompt to type)

At the prompt type:

wuauclt /resetauthorization

(there is a space between the t and the /)

then press return, it should have a moment return to the prompt.

Then type:

wuauclt /detectnow

(again there is a space between the t and the /)

press enter

What this does is tell Windows Update to run a full check with Microsoft as to what updates are required.  Its possible one of the updates causing the problem isn't required but later ones won't install either because of it.

It may take a while to complete but then it will tell you in Windows Update the number of important updates required.

Sometimes its necessary to change WU to automatically install updates, if you don't already have it set to this, before running these commands, and can then switch back after they have completed (assuming you don't want it to automatically install them).

[C_W]

I upgraded several pc's to windows 10 from windows 7. Each time I downloaded All important updates to windows 7 and then windows 10 upgraded problem free. As you have so many to do, I would do them about 15 at the time. Be sure to set the sleep option to never. Let each batch update, restart and repeat.

The Windows 10 upgrade website allows you to download the complete upgrade file onto a usb flash drive. You may be able to just download the file from there. There are a lot of video's on YouTube that will show you how to upgrade using this method, I have not done it this way myself.

No matter which way you go - " set the sleep option to never to ensure all updates happen without interruption"!,

[Musicman]

Because of the problems I've encountered with updates - there seems to be more, the size of some of them - can't help wondering if they're something to do with "10" - and my PC is 10 years old + and, like me, is slowing down with old age!  I decided to "bite the bullet" and am in the process of going over to Apple as I don't want "10" at any price! 

[3sillydogs]

Both desktop pc's and the laptop migrated from Windows 7 to 10 problem free.  I personally prefer the 10 version.  But I have heard of problems on older machines.  Perhaps it's to do with the system requirements.....

[Kevin Burrell]

Personally I will be staying with Windows 8.1 as it is supported until 2023. By that time this laptop will need replacing and I will bite the bullet then. I do not want to risk downloading Windows 10 to a laptop that has not been built with Windows 10 in mind (all manufacturers did not issue Windows 10 ready laptops/desktops etc. until late Jan 2016).
My father (bless him, he is 84) downloaded Win 10 onto his laptop because he did not like Windows 8 that he had. Result - he stopped using the laptop because it was even slower than before - I did tell him off for not talking to me first!!.
Windows 7 is also on extended support until 2020, so you will continue to get security patches until then - if you are happy with what you have at the moment then I would advise sticking to it until you need to replace your hardware - then worry about it:o)

[mike175]

Because of the problems I've encountered with updates - there seems to be more, the size of some of them - can't help wondering if they're something to do with "10" - and my PC is 10 years old + and, like me, is slowing down with old age!  I decided to "bite the bullet" and am in the process of going over to Apple as I don't want "10" at any price! 

I'm sure the updates are connected with 'upgrading' to 10. Why else would there be so may for an obsolete system?

I have now replaced my old Win7 laptop, which was at least 10 years old (previously upgraded from XP). The old one was left turned off for a couple of weeks, and when turned on again it went through the same 3 hour update check yet again, taking up 95% of system resources for the duration, which renders the machine useless 

Having transferred my important stuff to the new one I have installed "Lubuntu" Linux on the old one and now use it mainly for web browsing. The installation was very easy and took less time, even with downloading and burning to DVD, than Windows 7 spent not updating itself. So I now have a spare laptop which is a joy to use once again 

Mike