I have just completed a reinstall of Windows 7 from disc, and am now confronted with 97 Windows Updates to be installed. Is there a list of Updates that should be avoided altogether? Also, I assume the order of installs is important, but I can’t find a way to order the Updates by date. Thank you for any information that you can provide.
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
List of Windows Updates to avoid
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows 7 » Questions: Windows 7 » List of Windows Updates to avoid
- This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 2 months ago.
AuthorTopicWSribbit
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:31 pm #487521Viewing 6 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
WSruirib
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 28, 2013 at 12:51 pm #1371741 -
WSribbit
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 28, 2013 at 2:33 pm #1371760Thank you for your quick reply. I’ll search out the SP1 update and then proceed with the remaining items. I was concerned about some of the updates that had been reported as causing major problems, but it sounds like those “bad apples” were eventually corrected. I appreciate your help.
-
-
WSMedico
AskWoody Lounger -
WSribbit
AskWoody Lounger
-
-
WSjwitalka
AskWoody Lounger -
WSruirib
AskWoody LoungerJanuary 28, 2013 at 3:32 pm #1371770The updates that have caused the most problems are SP1 and one of the .net updates. I think Windows 7 will automatically create a restore point prior to installing a critical update.
Jerry
Indeed it does, Jerry. Windows will automatically create a restore point before installing updates, so manual addition of restore points is not needed.
-
WScutie_pyie
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 3, 2013 at 8:53 pm #1372820Hi ruirib,
I am a new Windows 7 Home Edition X64 user. I only have 2 programs that I installed: Avast AV & Comodo Firewall! All other programs I run are portable ones that do NOT have to be installed on the system.
The Windows update on my laptop tells me it has 11 important updates to install: One is the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems (KB982526), 7 others are Security Updates for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1 on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 for x64-based Systems,
the LAST 3 ARE : WIN7 SP1, Internet Explorer 9, & Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 – January 2013.My questions are: Since I do NOT have any .NET framework programs, why am I even being sent these updates, and if I agree to install these .NET Framework updates – what good do they do me as I have no installed programs that require them?33027-Windows-updates.
I am currently running IE8, but do not use it as my main browser, I use Firefox, Opera, Maxthon, or Iron in their portable modes! I thought a while ago I read somewhere that you shud NOT install IE9 due to various problems with it?
The Win 7 SP1 & Software removal tool I can see that I shud install!
I welcome your comments on the others updates & if I shud install them or not??
Oh, the Windows updates also gives me 37 optional updates, Partial listing: 33028-37-other-Win7-updates, which ones of those are actually required & shud I install??
Thank you very much for your answers, they are MOST appreciated!
Sincerely,
Cindy
-
-
-
WSMedico
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 4, 2013 at 4:35 am #1372837Cindy,
Even though your apps are portable they do interface with Windows, and in many cases Windows Net Framework. Since Net is installed on your PC, the updates are generally security updates to Net, so my advice is to upgrade those.
IE 8 is less secure than IE 9. Even though you use 3rd party browsers, some of the apps also use the IE interface, WU for example. I believe you would also be wise to install IE 9.
The optional updates add functionality and fix bugs to various Windows apps. Again, I chose to install them and never had a problem.
-
WSruirib
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 4, 2013 at 4:43 am #1372843Windows 7 includes .net 3.5, so you definitely should install the updates, as they are security updates. One can never estimate the risk of not doing so accurately, but most successful malware takes advantage of rather old security bugs in Windows. I always patch and that is my advice to you as well.
-
joep517
AskWoody MVPFebruary 4, 2013 at 9:43 am #1372909Cindy,
With that very substantial list of updates inlcuding SP1, I advise you to backup your system before beginning this process. Then I’d begin with SP1 by itself as it may contain some of the other updates. I’ve always had better luck with service packs downloading the complete service pack separately from Windows Update. You can download SP1 from Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (KB976932). You want the version that is second from the bottom of the list – windows6.1-KB976932-X64.exe. Once SP1 is installed, I’d run with it for a few days before attempting the other updates. Do another backup so you have a fail safe point to which you can return should something really bad happen. Check Windows update to see what is being offer and then I’d do the critical updates. Repeat the run for a few days and then backup again. Proceed with the other recommended updates.
Joe
--Joe
-
WSnp-7930
AskWoody LoungerMarch 1, 2013 at 11:28 am #1377550I usually am very reluctant to install any .NET framework updates, whether they’re security updates or non-security updates as several of them cause more problems than fixing them. better read any of the Windows Secrets newsletters by either Susan Bradley or Woody Leonard on which NET updates to install and which not to install.
the SP1 update for Win7 is now a MUST as Microsoft will end support for Win7 RTM (those using pre-SP1 editions of Windows 7)
on April 9, 2013.
Viewing 6 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
search by picture an not all that’s cracked up to be (Awaiting moderation)
by
Dru Fuksa
1 hour, 32 minutes ago -
Google’s Veo3 video generator. Before you ask: yes, everything is AI here
by
Alex5723
8 hours, 37 minutes ago -
Flash Drive Eject Error for Still In Use
by
J9438
10 hours, 10 minutes ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27863 released to Canary
by
joep517
1 day, 3 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.4161 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
1 day, 3 hours ago -
AI model turns to blackmail when engineers try to take it offline
by
Cybertooth
7 hours, 9 minutes ago -
Migrate off MS365 to Apple Products
by
dmt_3904
7 hours, 58 minutes ago -
Login screen icon
by
CWBillow
3 hours, 8 minutes ago -
AI coming to everything
by
Susan Bradley
5 hours, 56 minutes ago -
Mozilla : Pocket shuts down July 8, 2025, Fakespot shuts down on July 1, 2025
by
Alex5723
1 day, 19 hours ago -
No Screen TurnOff???
by
CWBillow
1 day, 19 hours ago -
Identify a dynamic range to then be used in another formula
by
BigDaddy07
1 day, 20 hours ago -
InfoStealer Malware Data Breach Exposed 184 Million Logins and Passwords
by
Alex5723
2 days, 7 hours ago -
How well does your browser block trackers?
by
n0ads
1 day, 17 hours ago -
You can’t handle me
by
Susan Bradley
17 hours, 56 minutes ago -
Chrome Can Now Change Your Weak Passwords for You
by
Alex5723
1 day, 10 hours ago -
Microsoft: Over 394,000 Windows PCs infected by Lumma malware, affects Chrome..
by
Alex5723
2 days, 19 hours ago -
Signal vs Microsoft’s Recall ; By Default, Signal Doesn’t Recall
by
Alex5723
1 day, 22 hours ago -
Internet Archive : This is where all of The Internet is stored
by
Alex5723
2 days, 19 hours ago -
iPhone 7 Plus and the iPhone 8 on Vantage list
by
Alex5723
2 days, 19 hours ago -
Lumma malware takedown
by
EyesOnWindows
2 days, 7 hours ago -
“kill switches” found in Chinese made power inverters
by
Alex5723
3 days, 4 hours ago -
Windows 11 – InControl vs pausing Windows updates
by
Kathy Stevens
3 days, 4 hours ago -
Meet Gemini in Chrome
by
Alex5723
3 days, 8 hours ago -
DuckDuckGo’s Duck.ai added GPT-4o mini
by
Alex5723
3 days, 8 hours ago -
Trump signs Take It Down Act
by
Alex5723
3 days, 16 hours ago -
Do you have a maintenance window?
by
Susan Bradley
1 day, 21 hours ago -
Freshly discovered bug in OpenPGP.js undermines whole point of encrypted comms
by
Nibbled To Death By Ducks
2 days, 18 hours ago -
Cox Communications and Charter Communications to merge
by
not so anon
3 days, 19 hours ago -
Help with WD usb driver on Windows 11
by
Tex265
3 hours, 19 minutes ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.