AKB 2000004: How to apply the Win7 and 8.1 Monthly Rollups
By @woody
Published 29 July 2017 rev 1.12
For those in “Group A” — the ones who want to use Microsoft’s preferred patching method, and aren’t overly concerned about increased telemetry (which is to say, snooping), here’s how to get your monthly rollup going, without succumbing to Automatic Updating.
For those in “Group A” who want to minimize Microsoft’s snooping but still install all of the offered patches, turn off the Customer Experience Improvement Program before you begin.
Click Start > Control Panel > Action Center. On the left, click the link to Change Action Center settings. Under Related settings, click Customer Experience Improvement Program settings. Choose No, I don’t want to participate in the program. Click Save changes.
Step A1: Get your settings right.
In Win7, click Start > Control Panel. In Win 8.1, press Win-X and choose Control Panel. Click System and Security. Under Windows Update, click the link marked “Turn automatic updating on or off.” Make sure Windows Update is set to “Never check for updates (not recommended),” then check the boxes marked “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates” and “Give me updates for Microsoft products and check for new optional Microsoft software when I update Windows.” Click OK.
Step A2: Check for updates.
Back in the Control Panel, under Windows Update, click the link to Check for Updates. (You may have to click Check for Updates a second time.) If you’ve done a Group A run in previous months, the check should go quickly. If it lingers for hours, follow these steps. Don’t check any unchecked boxes. If you have no intention of updating this machine to Win10 in the near future, look for KB 3150513 and make sure it’s unchecked.
Step A3: Get rid of problematic updates.
The list of problematic updates changes every month, so you’ll have to watch the main AskWoody blog page for details. Look for MS-DEFCON posts; they’re clearly marked. In general, if you have no intention of updating this machine to Win10 in the near future, look for KB 3150513 and uncheck the box.
Step A4: Install the patches.
Click the button marked Install Updates and follow the instructions. You’ll end up with the Security Monthly Quality Rollup; all of your Office patches; maybe some .Net patches; Adobe Flash fixes; the Microsoft Security Essentials update; and the usual MSRT scanner. After the reboot, everything will be set to block automatic updates.
Step A5: Wash, rinse, repeat.
Go through Steps A2 to A4 again, to see if Windows Update picked up any new patches. Repeat until there aren’t any more additional patches. When you’re done, you’re done, but be sure to watch this site next month to see when the unpaid beta testers are done.
You have to update your Windows computer. But you don’t have to update it according to Microsoft’s timetable.
