Why are Windows updates so slow (and long) with Windows 7

Question

original title: We'll search the Windows forum for an answerWhy are Windows updates so slow (and long) with Windows 7

I have a new netbook with windows 7 starter.

Last night when I tried to shut down, I got a message about updating and not to shut down.  If I recall correctly, the download consisted of 49 items.

Today when I turned the computer on, after I entered my password, the computer told me to not shut down and stage 3 was in process.

Then it switched to a "Windows 7 Starter" screen (Windows 7 Starter with the windows logo at the bottom of a patterned blue screen, the same screen I get when booting up before the password screen appears.)  There is no other info on the screen.

It has been a couple of hours since the screen appeared and nothing else appears to be going on.  For the first 40 minutes, the hard drive light was on almost constantly, since then there is an occasional "blink" of the hard drive light.

Is this normal?

If so how long should I expect the process to take?

If not, (how would I be able to tell), what happens if I turn the computer off (assuming I can), and is there any way of recovering?

Anything else I should do?

Suggestions:

1.  Provide the user with some indication that something is happening, and show progress so we know its not just locked up.

2.  Offer an option where the user can delay the long configuration (or whatever is happening) so that if the computer is needed for critical work related use, the user won't get fired.

Thanks

tom

Answer 1

Hi,

 It seems to be an issue with the updates installation.

Please follow the article mentioned below:

An update is not installed successfully when you try to install the update in Windows Vista and Windows 7

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358

Answer 2

Maybe they want to force you to upgrade to windows 10 so that they can make more money from the personal data that ten gathers about you, moving from a private browser to something more akin to Facebook. 

You have to actively configure ten to protect your privacy, from what I hear, but most of us won't bother.

My system is how happily updating, though slowly!

Answer 3

You cant upgrade to win 10 as long your win 7 have installed all updates.

Answer 4

A new OS was released.  When VISTA was released, XP updates had problems, Windows 10 is released and Windows 7 starts having problems.  Root cause is that Microsoft provisions their premium resources to what they are promoting to be their more relevant OS, then they tell us to look at the problems with Windows 7 but also make sure to point out how great things are with Windows 10.  The Microsoft solution:

If you have problems with Windows 7, then upgrade to Windows 10.

Answer 5

install 15 updates took my system hostage between 12 oclock (at night) until 16h00 cest local . He kept stuck on file 3 and he kept installing file 10 . I dont know why i took that long to install it. have windows 7 premium. Got the system 3 years and this was the first time i could do athing. A local pc shop told me that if i interuped the install it would corrupt the system. Still there are two files not been installed . Are those 3 and 10 the problem bringers ?