How to get your Win7 updates in less than glacial time

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Good question from Q: I was thinking about the instructions relating to the Updates.    I see that we are told to select “Check for updates but  let m
[See the full post at: How to get your Win7 updates in less than glacial time]

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Hi Woody,
I am confused about something…..in this article you say “That article will tell you about checking for KB 3020369, then downloading and installing KB 3161608. It’s messy, it’s manual – and it’s the only way I know to avoid hours of waiting. One little tip that I didn’t include in the article: Disconnect from the internet after you download the KB 3161608 patch, but before you double-click on the MSU file.”
I have KB 30203369 already installed and the KB 3161608 finally showed up on my optional list of updates. Do I just check the update in the update list and install from there and reboot? I don’t understand the “Disconnect from the internet after you download the KB 3161608 patch, but before you double-click on the MSU file.” part. I am not very tech savvy at all so I appreciate any and all help from you and others that are. Thank You!

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Messy and manual is why I haven’t done this yet, but mainly because I am not suffering from the slow svchost problem. I am sure it will return come July’s patch Tuesday, and I look forward to hearing from you what I should do then. I am hopeful that MS will make it easy instead of “messy and manual.”

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Sure, check it, run updates, then reboot.

It may take a long time, but just let it run at its own speed. That’s a slightly-less-manual way of solving the problem. It just takes some patience.

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I use Belarc Advisor to determine the needed security updates for our computers and then download and install them manually when I feel it’s the appropriate time.

I know you consider manually downloading and installing updates to be a “sign of impending insanity”. Perhaps I am insane but I certainly don’t have to waste time – equally insane IMHO!

I not only save time but with our slow and not inexpensive internet, I save money since I only have to download the updates once and can apply them to our three Win7 machines.

The only problem that I can recall was that one recent .Net update that wouldn’t install unless the computer was connected to the internet.

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Woody…thanks for clearing a bit of confusion on my part. when you say “it may take a long time” what kind of a time frame might I be looking at? What is the least amount of time and the longest amount of time it has taken? Just so I know what time frame (day or night) is best to complete this task.

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Can somebody explain to me why it’s highly suggested to install KB3161608 now when a different update (KB3161664) proved to resolve the long wait time problem this month? Nobody knows for sure if KB3161608 is actually a PERMANENT fix yet, so why is it all of a sudden the almighty “magic jelly bean”?

The long wait times disappeared for me (and most others) this month after installing KB3161664. Installing this patch was the “fix-o-the-month” suggested here at Woody’s on 6/14…. https://www.askwoody.com/2016/win7-users-install-kb-3161664-to-speed-up-windows-update-scans/

I’ve installed KB3161664 on over a dozen Win 7 computers and every single one of them produces a list of updates within a couple minutes.

What happened to turn KB3161608 into a more important patch than KB3161664 for resolving the long wait time issue? Did I miss something along the way here?

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It’s a crap shoot. Both patches solve this month’s problem. 3161608 is advertised as solving the problem for good. Whether it will or not — who knows?

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Without the speed-up installed (there are two options this month), most people report scan times in the hours, sometimes many hours. With either of the speed-ups installed, it’ll take at most five or ten minutes.

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Makes sense to me!

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As with others, I thank you for your guidance, Woody. I only recently found your pages after I started getting the ‘continuously searching’ problem. I read your various posts about 3 times each to be sure what I was doing (attempting) ~ and it worked. I had 3020369, then downloaded 3161608 from M$ Download Center, installed it fairly easily although it seemed to want my internet connection on and/or Windows Update on Automatic. Check for updates took about 10 minutes to get 12 imp’t updates. Downloading and installing those took about 1/2 hour. Overall, about 2 hours of time. I sure know where a lot more menus and such are now than I did before … Thanks again, Woody. Happy 4th !

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I have not had any long wait times to install updates after I have selected the ones I want to download. I have downloaded KB3161608 and will wait to see if this changes anything.

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Naw, don’t bother installing it. If your downloads are tolerable, there’s no reason I can imagine to install 3161608. Wait and see if things get wretched with this month’s patches.

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Thanks!

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Are you referring to KB3161664, the speed up for June? If so that I do have installed as per your suggestion before this supposed fix was released.

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Yep, that’s the one. If you have that one installed, you don’t need 3161608. This month, anyway.

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I read somewhere how someone on a Win7 machine ran into issues downloading & installing mixed groups of updates at the same time. Especially .NET Framework updates. This persons claim was that they got more failures & such by mixing the groups on Win7 machines.

For instance, when I look at Win7, I only install these four groups that pertain to security as per the DEFCON guidelines, if or when they appear. Some months we don’t get .NET Framework & adobe is sporadic as well.

1. Cumulative Security Update for IE for Win7 x64 based systems.
2. Security update for M$ .NET Framework 4.6.1 on Win7 & Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64 based systems.
3. Security update for Win7 for x64-based systems.
4. Malicious Software Removal Tool x64.

I’ve been following this recommendation by said person because it struck me as sensible. However, when I read your instructions Friday it got me to thinking, perhaps I could save some time on my buddies Win7 machine by installing all the important security updates all at once, with the exception of the updater speed up patch of the month going first by itself.

Maybe the time saved by installing them all at once is insignificant regarding only one restart as opposed to multiple restarts with smaller total file size with each group.

Would you please provide some insight into this technique of mixing or not mixing the groups during download/install for Win7 machines? I’d very much like to know your take on the matter, thank you.

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I install security patches only, and just let them all rip at the same time.

.NET patches used to cause no end of headaches. Now they’re merely annoying. You shouldn’t have any problem rolling them in with the rest.

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Thanks fella, another one scratched off the list. Should be interesting to see what happens next month, heh heh.

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Thank you Woody, for all of the comments relevant to the June “mess” and how to extricate oneself from its grasp.

I finally downloaded all of the “security updates”, the Malicious Software Removal Tool, and one Definition Update all at one time. One of the updates was KB3161664.

The result was an astounding success. In less than 40 minutes the action started, and everything I had selected was installed. There was one additional one in the regular updates, which is extremely STRANGE. This update is KB3042058, and shows that it is a “security update”. Originally it was issued May 2015, and it NOT for my Windows 7 OS. It is for 8.1 and was REISSUED Oct. 13, 2015.

I have no record of ever receiving it previously. Since it’s definitely not for my Windows 7, I think it would be best to hide it so that it does not inadvertently end up on my computer.

The KB3161608 showed up (new) in the Optional Updates, however since all is now working well, I do not intend to install it. It was the KB3161664 which solved the problem. I must have missed it originally.

Thank you once again, Woody, for all of the amazing knowledge you possess, and so freely sharing it with us all.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!! 🙂 🙂

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P.S. In re: KB3042058 – – – – I’ve located additional information which shows this update referencing BOTH Windows 7, and Windows 8, however it is not something that I have on my computer. Here is the link to the first reference I see:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3042058

I think the only way I can remain safe is to hide this one. Do not know what other option there is. 🙁

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No need to hide anything. Just don’t install it, if you’re concerned.

Not sure I understand “it is not something that I have on my computer.” It’s an ancient security patch.

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Thank you, Woody! Update KB3161664 solved update issue on my Win7 x64. No need for the rollup update…appreciate your help very much!

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I just had to uninstall KB3161608 because it caused a 20 second(ish) wait time for the context menu to appear from a right click. It took me quite a while to isolate the KB3161608 patch as the cause of my problem, but I’m pretty certain it was the culprit.

Since it was a roll-up, I have no way of knowing which element was caused the problem, but I’m curious as to whether anyone else has seen this issue?

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Ed, thanks to your question, I learned that KB3161664 hasn’t been entirely superceded by KB3161608, which was my assumption from reading Woody’s post about KB3161608 this week — I had thought that KB3161664 must not work anymore (or perhaps isn’t offered anymore) since it wasn’t mentioned in the post about how this is the best weekend of the month to download all of June’s updates and how KB3161608 is the one that will make downloading faster (even though it requires downloading a group of unwanted updates). I assumed that I must have missed the boat on KB3161664 that had been available in mid-June since I haven’t done anything with my Windows Update since the end of May. I had decided to just wait until August to see what was going on, because I don’t feel comfortable about accepting all the tagalongs in KB3161608, and I don’t want my computer to be trapped for hours in the Windows Update checking process, but I felt a little uneasy about leaving it unpatched for 2 months. Now that I’ve seen your question and realized that it’s still a good option for speeding up June’s checking process, I’ll go ahead and install KB3161664 manually tonight, and hope for the best!

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Woody, it references “SSL Cipher Suite Order Group Policy” which I’ve never had and don’t know what it is.

It’s just strange getting an update this old for the first time. I do keep records of every update that I receive and I have no record of ever receiving this in May 2015.

I suppose I’ve had so many problems with the MS updates that I’m probably becoming more and more suspicious. I would have questioned it if I had received it in May since I have no clue as to what it is. It appears to be some type of “security” program.

Apologies for bothering you with this. Thank you once again for all of your help. You are the VERY BEST!! 🙂

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Hi Everyone:
I installed KB3161664 first and KB3161608 second. I do not have long waits anymore. Two to five minutes at most.Thanks Woody. Drove to Los Angeles today to pick up a new printer I found. The man had a new computer and had windows 10, said he was having many problems. I told him about you, he immediately looked you up on his computer and was quite impressed. Told me thanks for recommending you.
Sincerely,
Herb

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I think what happens sometimes when there are incomplete versions of certain updates installed on a system, they are offered again for a sort of “repair”, in which case only the missing components are installed. This happens most of the times to users who decide by themselves without any good reason to selectively install updates. Sometimes it is normal procedure, like when Windows 7 SP1 is offered on systems which have it already installed, but in reality the missing update is only KB2533552 which is getting installed.
I think the user should install all missing updates including recommended and optional to repair their Windows Update, less those few which are considered related to Windows 10 upgrade only. There are only 4 of those currently in my book. They are:
KB2952664
KB3123862
KB3173040
KB3035883

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Thanks, Herb! It helps to get the word out…

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Ah, but you do have SSL ciphers. Everybody does. This patch just changes the ciphers, to delete bad ones. There were problems with it once upon a time, but I’m pretty sure they’re all ironed out now.

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I haven’t heard of it, but I’ll keep my ears open.

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Woody: Thank you for the explanation about the SSL ciphers. Although I didn’t receive the May 2015 update, it seems that I should install the latest update although it is dated October 13, 2015. There is just no understanding where these updates have been hiding.

As always I am very grateful for your valuable advice. Thank you so very, very much.

HAPPY 4TH!!! l)

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This was a problem last month and for the last several months with us Vista users also. Again I cannot download and install the latest patches. Nowhere on Microsoft’s Support site does it give a solution for the slow Vista downloads. Will the Windows ‘7’ solution you are suggesting work for Vista also? I do not understand why Dell and all the other PC Manufacturer’s are not screaming at Microsoft. Microsoft must be hurting their business as far as new computer sales go. I know my next computer (before the end of the year when there is no longer support for Vista)is going to be an Apple. I no longer want to deal with all the problems Microsoft has caused their customers.

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@Woody, @Walker,

In regards to KB 3042058, it also appeared on my machine AFTER I installed KB 3020369.

I had installed KB 3020369 recently (which I hidden since its original release due to reboot issues referenced here at AskWoody) because I was not being offered the KB 3161608 rollup patch.

On ch100’s recommend, I installed KB 3020369, did NOT encounter any issues, then, on a subsequent check for updates, I did receive the KB 3161608 rollup patch because I now had the prerequisite KB 3020369.

But on that same check for updates, I also received the old security update KB 3042058 which evidently becomes Important, and offered, once one has KB 3020369 installed.

(Re-reading this post feels like reading a Saturday Night Live script).

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… and sometimes I feel like John Belushi. One cheebuggah two cheebuggah…

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Nope. The Win7 solutions only work for Win7.

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I’m afraid I’ve had it with snail Windows Update, with Windows 10 tricks to get on board, and that I’ll be joining the club of WinUpdates boy-cotters.
I just cannot stand it anymore. Finished. I’ve totally disabled the Windows Update service and will navigate with Win7 until 2020 or Linux before. I’ve had it. This has become a nightmare, takes much, too much, far too much time and energy, is stressing and has gotten over my nerves.

I do appreciate most valuable pertinent efforts and commitment, those of you, dear Woody, those of all working hard at getting Windows things right, but count me out. And I just don’t have the required time anymore s well.

Good luck to all, be it with Win7/8.1/10, though for different reasons. Microsoft has become a mess. Look what we have to go through to simply update normally, to simply prefer one OS to another in a legal and legitimate way!! Insane. Pathetic and insane …

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I share your frustration….

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Hi Woody,

I was successful installing KB3161664 to cure the forever scan time for the Wind. Updates problem So far so good–who knows what evil lurks now.

Love your website!!!

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Hi Ch100:
I have KB3035583 as one of my windows 10 related updates in hide. Is your KB3035883 an error or do I need to locate this one. I appreciate all you post and look forward to reading all your informative information.
Thanks for all you do here.
Herb K

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For those confused, KB3161664 is a one month fix, it’s not permanent and won’t work if they released new win32k.sys update this month, just like KB3153199 worked in May but didn’t work in June
rollup KB3161608 however, claims that it fixes the issue for good
we will have to wait until next week (patch tuesday) to know if that’s true and the fix is permanent

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This is ridiculous!!

I sympathize with everyone who has had more than enough of the miasma which has been cast over the “supposed update process” !!!

We are so very, very fortunate to have Woody to help us all. Thank you for always being there to rescue us, Woody! 🙂

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Hi All:
Just received KB3170735 optional update. Anyone know anything about this one? Did a search and nothing.
HerbK

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Just came out – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3170735

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Checking for Updates time to wait is horrible.

I have 2 computer with Win7 (home for laptop pro for desktop).
February / March laptop started the slow process.
Desktop just started it on Friday but once I updated it worked for a file on Sunday.
This is way too long.

To get updates, I just downloaded the files I needed. Tedious yes but I got what I needed way faster.
On the desktop I experienced the stuck on checking for updates.
Stopping the process is very much a slow pain. I killed it and verified nothing was installed.
It was stuck. What I found from reading over sites that install this and uninstall that was the mention of the check going back to the MS servers.
One bit of useful information on the MS site
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-update/stuck-at-checking-for-updates/7026bd34-df09-4c97-ac34-a6255d556e0f?auth=1
(I did not uninstall anything as suggested, just interesting info from 2015 on the MS site)

So to get around, I decided to disconnect the Ethernet cable as it sits a foot away.
Again maybe a pain for some.
The end result is the updates cannot phone home and jam the works.
I did the same with the laptop but with wi-fi off.
It was much more kranky and took a little longer to stop trying to phone home.
I already installed your MS KB fix earlier on this PC but no relief when trying to get just 1 download.

Bad thing is to do this you need a list of KBs and that appears to be PC specific as my computers don’t get the same list each time. You also need to set the system to never check for updates so don’t do that until you have your list of KBs your system needs and MS wants you to have.

For the last several months wanarp.sys was very active trying to phone back to some site.
It was not allowed to do so on my computers. It has also stopped this month.
The latest MS Removal Tool took forever to create a restore point on both computers.

I also install office updates. No problems.
I use outlook and like it and prefer to have it secured as far as I know.

This is not a fix for waiting on the list or downloading via MS updates.
It is manual, but enough of my needed KBs overlap for security and some apps that downloading this way and having for the other PC just irritates me less.

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Go figure!…
I’m running Windows 7 Enterprise, Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601.
Getting ready for the worst, I just did a full backup, then created a restore point and was just about to do the dirty work…
And I got this message (next to a green shield emblazoned with a check sign):
Windows is up to date.
There are no updates available for your computer.
Updates were installed 6/3/2016.
Saved by the bell.
Morty

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Amazing. Wonder what happened to all of the patches in the interim?

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I see that message from time to time too but if you manually check for updates while that message is showing you’ll most likely find that to be a bogus message and there are indeed updates available.

Note for Morty: If you haven’t already installed this month’s “magic patch” you’ll likely save yourself a LOT of time if you read post #4 in this thread in its entirety before running a manual update check!

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Curses! Foiled again….

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Let’s not forget these two:
KB3021917
KB3150513
Only a few more days left however, I think M$ will come up with some marketing campaign to extend this “Offer”.
I foresee much more of these…

http://hqcomoxvalley.com/2016/07/woman-sues-microsoft-over-her-forced-windows-10-upgrade-and/

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Thanks Woody for this value info. It’s been a constant struggle with this issue and I’m starting to think I may be headed toward Linux at some point.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone considered the repeated update issues on a monthly basis with fixes that don’t last more than one month,
are by design (just enough to allow the current months updates, but not the next months updates)?

I am a software engineer myself and I’m finding it hard to understand how a company as large as MS with experienced programmers, who presumably has QA engineers to test fixes can’t seem to get this issue resolved once and for all. If I was tasked to address this problem, I would have been fired for not fixing the issue after so many attempts. So it occurred to me that perhaps this is a ploy by MS to annoy everyone so much that they go through with the Win10 upgrade just to stop dealing with this issue.

I also find it suspicious that they are forcing everyone to take the roll up to get the bundled fix (which BTW, is marked as an optional update not important) and it doesn’t
apply to Vista (I have this issue with both Vista/Win7 and haven’t been able to update my Vista system for a few months).

I’m a bit concerned that they are bundiling in some Win10 upgrade code (which I’ve been diligent to not install) without detailing it in the KB article, as a last ditch effort to get everyone upgraded before the end of month deadline. Any thoughts?

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They’re definitely rolling in Win10 upgrade code – many, many times – see http://www.infoworld.com/article/3091875/microsoft-windows/four-new-windows-patches-to-avoid-kb-2952664-2976978-2977759-and-windows-journal-3170735.html

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Thanks. Will check it out.

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Just when I thought it was safe to go into the water… I checked again. Now there are 23 “important” updates selected:
Definition Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB3115247) 32-Bit Edition
Security Update for Microsoft Visio Viewer 2010 (KB2999465) 32-Bit Edition
Security Update for Microsoft Word 2010 (KB3115243) 32-Bit Edition
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3159398)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161561)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161664)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161949)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161958)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3164033)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3164035)
Update for Microsoft Filter Pack 2.0 (KB2999508) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB2881030) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB3114555) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB3114750) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft Office 2010 (KB3114989) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft OneNote 2010 (KB3114410) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft Outlook 2010 (KB3115127) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 (KB3114867) 32-Bit Edition
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3162835)
Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3160005)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3159398)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161561)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161664)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161949)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3161958)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3164033)
Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3164035)
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3162835)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 – June 2016 (KB890830)

Sigh… I’m not good at math but it looks like 27 to me, not 23. Go trust Microsoft!
I’m unchecking all the Office 2010 updates, just leaving the security updates, praying, and going for it…
(Thanks again, Ed. I think I did that install exercise last month. And the new list showed up right away, so I’m going to bite the bullet and go for it.) I just wonder, though, if I have to pause it in middle, does the floor fall out from under me?
Wish me luck!
Morty

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@Stephan,

“Just out of curiosity, has anyone considered [that these shenanigans] are by design….”

Yes, people have! It’s been commented on many times before in AskWoody.com’s threads.

I wrote here last week:
“Making things so that updating suddenly takes forever, and the “fix” for it requires installing a brand new update each month, then getting people used to doing that process a few months in a row, and next ratcheting it up a notch by putting the fix into a “rollup” where you have to accept stuff you don’t want in order to get what you do want….
They appear to be playing games with people and wasting millions of hours (of waiting time) around the world. Not to mention computer life, internet connection cost, etc.
It’s unprofessional, irresponsible, and wrong.”
https://www.askwoody.com/2016/ms-defcon-3-get-patched-while-everybodys-out-of-town/comment-page-1/#comment-91018

Such a shame that they have stooped so low.

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Luck!

Just get it started before you go to bed… or do something else that’s productive.

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Came back two hours later and it still said “Downloading 13 updates,” with 0% progress.
I canceled the updates and it stopped right away, offering to try again. I’m going to leave that window open and try later…
The good news is that Tonto (aka GWX Control Panel) says the coast is clear.
Stay tuned.
Thank you again Woody and Ed!
Morty

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Tip:
When you install an .msu update file, be ready to cancel as soon as the “Scanning for updates” message appears. Then, try to install the update again. It will skip the “Scanning…” part. Usually works fine in remote admin sessions!

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Fascinating! I’ve never heard of that….

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The sixth one from the top in your list Morty is the “magic jelly bean” for this month (KB3161664). If you select that one ONLY… after the required restart upon completion the others should go rather quickly.

That’s why I advised you earlier to read post #4 of this thread in its entirety.

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Thanks again, Ed.
Frankly, my eyes glaze over with all those numbers. And I did do the magic trick earlier this month that was supposed to speed things up.
I shouldn’t be jumping the gun at my age!
Stand by….

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OK…
Good thing you didn’t stand by. Here’s the story thus far: As Ed (or Anonymous) instructed, I unchecked all but KB3161664.
Then I let it start.
And then I waited…
From about 7:30 p.m. to 1:11 a.m.!
For one update.
Then I rebooted. Now I’m going to go back and try to get the rest of the updates.
Don’t wait up for me.
Thanks again Woody and Ed (aka Anonymous)!
Good night.
All the best, Morty

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Well said!
Morty

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Thanks to Woody and all your readers and helpers. I have been blaming my cable company, long cable run .. even rebooting my router/modem for the increasingly long/slow windows updates. Since my AV updates daily without issue and I watch the occasional YouTube video without issue, I should have realized it was not a ‘local’ to my wireless laptop issue.

I have a Dell laptop with Win7 Sp1 (x64) with no plans to update to Win10 on this device. I had been able to avoid the automatic upgrade and even the directory dumps of pre-install files (though I was just able to turn off the pesky GWx tray icon permanently (FINALLY!). I have installed GWX Control Panel this past week.

My last successful update had been in April 2016. It took several days of picking a few at a time to get the job done. After that, I was unable to check/find/install updates. Tray icon disappeared and the shortcut to search for updates just spun its wheels.

Last week I found some information about how to recover the Windows Update tray icon (mine had disappeared in April). I removed several patches (info from another site) …and my icon with the Updates to Install message reappeared (YEAH!). However, it took over 6 hours to download/install the June Malicious software patch.

I started searching again and found the InfoWorld articles and AskWoody.com.

Here is what I remember from the process:

1) I did have the April 2015 KB 3020369 installed. (check)

2) I had also downloaded the Stand Alone Windows Update installer previously.(Check)

3) I turned off Windows Updates (Set it to Never Check)

4) downloaded the two patches listed in this article for Win7 Sp1 x64
KB3161647, KB3161608

5) disabled WIFI

6 ) reboot

7) installed KB3161647 (Double Clicking the msu file in the download dir)

it installed QUICKLY! Never checking for updates and No WIFI so the install got directly to work. Reboot required by update.

8) installed KB3161608 (double click msu).

Installed quickly. Reboot required.

9) re-enabled WIFI

10) set Windows update to check and prompt me for download and install

Windows updates went out and found the 40-something updates.

I picked a small security patch download/install to test.

I had a bit of a sticky problem after the initial patch install (first small security patch install ran quickly, reboot … 2nd attempt with a small patch hung). It was late, I shut down and picked it back up the next day and things were running smoothly and QUICKLY last night. I pick the updates and don’t try to install to many/much at one time.

Fingers crossed that we still are not dealing with a Fix-A-month.

(… someone really deserves a swift kick for all this nonsense but they probably got an ‘Atta-Boy’ and a bonus …)

M.
P1: I did try to comment on InfoWorld but my opened is not cooperating.

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OK, I’m back.
The rest of the update went from 1:35 a.m. to 2:20 a.m. So it looks like the “magic jellybean” grew into a beanstalk.
And a GWX Control Panel test showed no problems.
Thank Heaven!
Thanks again Woody and Ed!
All the best,
Morty

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Commenting on the InfoWorld site is an… ongoing challenge. I try to make it as easy as possible over here.

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Is it impossible for someone to remove KB3161647 from KB3161608 so it can be installed by it’s self? I really don’t want or need the other included updates.

I assume poster M in NC above who states he installed KB3161647 separately before KB3161608 is either incorrect or he has managed to do the impossible?

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FYI – Just found this article on MS’s forum in June, detailing TLS encryption issues with some Web Apps, related to KB3161608 (AND included KB 3161639) with some possible solutions.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-networking/problems-with-kb-3161608-and-kb-3161639/2cd5ffb3-c203-4080-872f-73de1a96e080

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Good find. This is exactly why I only want KB3161647! Wish we could separate KB3161608 like we do with the iTunes installer to choose only what is wanted from the bundle.

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@Herb K I am not sure I understand your question. KB3035883 is one of those updates which should not be installed and actually the main one which must be avoided.

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@Windozxpert Let’s clarify the status of those 2 updates you mentioned.
KB3021917 – CEIP update. I revisited its associated KB and now I think it should be avoided too. This is indirectly confirmed by the fact that it is not offered to Windows 2008 R2, only to Windows 7
KB3150513 – I didn’t put it on my list because it has as pre-requisite one of the other updates to be avoided, i.e KB2952664 or its equivalents for the other OSes. It certainly should be avoided, however if it is offered, this should raise a red flag because it means that one of the other non-desired updates is installed.

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I think I explained millions of times here that a lot of the updates are working together as a system and depend on each other. This is why I have always recommended to install everything by default and only exclude those very few updates which are proved beyond doubt that they are undesirable.

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Thanks Woody, for keeping these Windows issues in focus.

I wanted to mention that my main computer which had updates on, but that I was manually shutting off with Resource Manager, stopped hogging cpu cycles a few days ago. I had hope and did do the security updates today on that machine. No problem. I followed that up by allowing my notebook, which I had turned off WU to check for updates, and after ten hours(!) of checking (last update April 26th), it comes up with 24 important updates. I’m only suggesting that our compliance with the ‘issues’ seems to be a major item on our success with this game. I hope that after July 29 there won’t be any more such issues? 🙁 Anyone coming to your site knows what I hope for. So why am I so pessimistic? I’m not sure what else to say, except that I believe that it is all by design. I’m drawing a line, and I don’t trust MS, any cloud technology, and I’m even having doubts about my AV provider, and any outfit utilizing telemetrics of any kind. (HP, are you listening?) There are far too many ‘frameworks’ needed now, or so it seems to me. I’m beyond paranoid. If your new operating system can provide ‘tailored’ advertising, what else can they provide?

OK, so I sound like a fruitcake; what else would I be just trying to keep my Windows 7 computers up?

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Naw, not a fruitcake. Looks like you only have a small tinfoil hat.

Microsoft will continue making security patches for Win7 and 8.1 because many of their largest customers are using Win7 and 8.1. MS is under contractual obligation to keep the machines patched.

You really need to use the tricks mentioned on this site to avoid spending days doing updates!

After July 29 we shouldn’t see as many intrusive “Get Windows 10” ads – but I bet we’ll see more advertising.

You certainly should have doubts about your AV provider. It’s looking more and more like some AV providers (and ISPs!) are collecting and selling personally identifiable information. Some AV products have huge security holes. I still recommend Windows Defender.

If the snooping gets you down, move to Linux!

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If you can post or email me your updated “dirty patch” list, I’d like to publish it.

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Isn’t KB3035883 a typo?

KB3035883 = ???
KB3035583 = GWX

Here is my junk list:
KB3035583 = GWX
KB3123862 = GWX helper
KB3173040 = Full screen windows 10 ad
KB3163589 = Full screen windows 10 ad (8.0 and 7 SP0)
KB3022345 = telemetry
KB3068708 = telemetry
KB3080149 = telemetry
KB3075249 = telemetry (consent)
KB3090045 = GWX (reserved devices)
KB3150513 = GWX (compatibility update)

7 only:
KB2952664 = GWX (compatibility update)
KB3021917 = telemetry (imaginary performance improvements)
KB2977759 = GWX (compatibility update)
KB3081954 = telemetry

8.x only:

KB2976978 = GWX (compatibility update, superseded, tough to remove from win 8.1 U3 clean install)
KB3072318 = GWX (OOBE)

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This is my list anyone object to any items on my list or think I missed any?

KB3035583 = GWX
KB3123862 = GWX helper
KB3173040 = Full screen windows 10 ad
KB3163589 = Full screen windows 10 ad (8.0 and 7 SP0)
KB3022345 = telemetry
KB3068708 = telemetry
KB3080149 = telemetry
KB3075249 = telemetry (consent)
KB3090045 = GWX (reserved devices)
KB3150513 = GWX (compatibility update)

7 only:
KB2952664 = GWX (compatibility update)
KB3021917 = telemetry (imaginary performance improvements)
KB2977759 = GWX (compatibility update)
KB3081954 = telemetry

8.x only:

KB2976978 = GWX (compatibility update, superseded, tough to remove from win 8.1 U3 clean install)
KB3072318 = GWX (OOBE)

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Great list. I’ll merge it with ch100’s, when he has a chance, and post it up on the top.

I’m starting to warm up to the idea of installing optional updates, except those on a blackout list. It’s a lot more work for a typical user, but likely less disruptive in the long run.

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Sorry, yes it is a typo. Now I understand what @Herb K was asking.

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My current blacklist for Windows 7 SP1 only:

KB2952664
Kb3021917 – not sure how harmful it is, can be skipped safely though
KB3035583
KB3123862
KB3150513 – not offered if KB2952664 is not installed
KB3173040

Thanks to Noel Carboni and Windozxpert for providing most of the information from which I compiled the list above.

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I don’t have problem with Windows 7 “check for updates” but my 8.1 tablet takes 35 minutes which seems like a long time. Are there any solutions?

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@Bob

Are you both the not really Bob and the maybe Bob? Even if you aren’t both, I think that you probably saw my April 30th post that I refer to below, because you replied to it directly and/or left individual posts on that discussion thread further down the page.

Anyway, I’m just an overwhelmed customer regarding this Windows stuff so I’m no expert, but this was my list of patches that I had avoided in the year up to April 30th:
https://www.askwoody.com/2016/updates-of-questionable-value/#comment-82270

( That comment was made under Woody’s blogpost
“Updates of Questionable Value” https://www.askwoody.com/2016/updates-of-questionable-value )

Since April 30th, I have continued to update my Excel sheet of the updates I’m avoiding, but I can’t face opening that depressing 🙁 file at this late hour on an otherwise peaceful Sunday night.
There have been a few more tricky ones I’ve steered clear of, mainly repackagings of earlier ones, I think.

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I haven’t seen any.

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