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Windows 7-Old Updates?

Anonymous
2021-08-16T12:31:52+00:00

Hi. I own a Windows 7 PC and cannot really afford to buy a new one to get the latest operating system-Windows 10. So, I'm having to continue to use Windows 7, which is okay but the other day one of my software files became corrupted so I had to do a reinstallation, taking my computer back to factory settings. This meant, of course, that I lost all the updates for Windows 7 that Microsoft have issued (as I am not tech-savvy and wouldn't know how to back them up or if that was even possible). I know that Microsoft have ended support for Windows 7 but is there somewhere, or some way, you can still download and install old Windows 7 updates, that were issued prior to Microsoft ending support?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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  1. btbt 11,826 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-08-17T02:47:58+00:00

    Windows 7 updates are still available, but what has changed is the digital signature on them. They are now signed with an algorithm called SHA-2, which Windows 7 can't recognize without updates.

    If you somehow don't have Service Pack 1, your first step is getting that. That is KB976932. Make sure you get the proper 32-bit or 64-bit versions.

    Next, you need Internet Explorer 11, even if you don't plan to use it. It upgrades internal components, so grab Internet Explorer 11 offline installer for the appropriate language.

    Next is KB3050265 to fix a forever update loop on Windows Update.

    Next is KB4490628, which updates the servicing stack in Windows for both the next update, and the SHA-2 update. The servicing stack is how Windows actually updates itself.

    Almost there! The next is the motherlode, KB3125574, the closest thing we get to a Service Pack 2.

    Finally, install the SHA-2 signing update, KB4474419. Once this update is done, you can do the rest via Windows Update.

    So, to summarize:

    1. KB976932 (if you don't have Service Pack 1)
    2. Internet Explorer 11
    3. KB3050265
    4. KB4490628
    5. KB3125574
    6. KB4474419

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  1. btbt 11,826 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2021-08-17T22:30:42+00:00

    I was revising some old notes. I fired up a fresh Windows 7 SP1 virtual machine and followed my order. With the exception of IE11, all the updates installed in the order I specified so the only thing I would change is put IE11 at the end or let Windows Update update it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-17T19:41:09+00:00

    Next is KB4490628, which updates the servicing stack in Windows for both the next update, and the SHA-2 update.

    KB4490628 is a SHA-2 update itself. There are two of those, and neither is prerequisite to the other.

    2019 SHA-2 Code Signing Support requirement for Windows and WSUS

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  3. Anonymous
    2021-08-17T19:18:52+00:00

    Next is KB3050265 to fix a forever update loop on Windows Update.

    KB3050265 has been superseded by

    KB3065987

    KB3075851

    KB3083324

    KB3083710

    KB3102810

    KB3112343

    KB3135445

    KB3138612

    KB3125574

    KB3172605

    Just to name a few.

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  4. Anonymous
    2021-08-17T10:52:00+00:00

    Thank you, Entegy! That's absolutely brilliant. I shall keep the email of your reply in case this situation ever happens again. Good old Microsoft for still allowing people to download and install old updates issued prior to end of support. And thanks again to you, too.

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