Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists on
telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it? Win7 hasn't been
supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again the
next time.

Thanks.

On 2020-12-21 9:13 a.m., Bert Coules wrote:
Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists
on telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it?Â* Win7 hasn't
been supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again
the next time.

Thanks.

check and see if the updates are indeed being installed

"%" wrote:

Check and see if the updates are indeed being installed.

Thanks for the thought: a check reveals that two of the three have
apparently been installed on every single occasion where the message has
appeared - that's to say nearly sixty times now. The third, which is
Internet Explorer 11, has failed to install the same number of times.

I don't need Internet Explorer 11 (or any other version come to that) so I
suppose I can safely
stop it happening by changing the update preferences. It seems an odd thing
to be happening, though.

On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:13:38 -0000, "Bert Coules"
wrote:

Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists on
telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it? Win7 hasn't been
supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again the
next time.

It's probably *uploading* new user data to the intelligence agencies
on the pretext of "updating" your system.

On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:13:38 +0000, Bert Coules wrote:

Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists
on telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it? Win7 hasn't
been supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again
the next time.

Thanks.

Block updates

"jon" wrote:

Block updates.

Exactly what I've now done; thanks for the suggestion. I'm still puzzled as
to why this started happening so recently, though - unless, as Cursitor Doom
suggests, it's actually nothing to with Windows at all.

On Monday, 21 December 2020 at 16:13:45 UTC, Bert Coules wrote:
Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists on
telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it? Win7 hasn't been
supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again the
next time.

Thanks.

I have seen this sort of thing when there is a problem with the copy of the update on your machine.

In Windows 10, they end up in this folder: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Can't for the life of me remember what happens in W7.

A possible W10 answer would be to delete the contents of that folder, restart, and check for updates. But there are bound to be numerous articles around discussing stuck updates.

Despite W7 being unsupported, MS have sometimes issued a patch to older software when they have had a major issue to resolve. Such as the recent SolarWinds hacking. Or possibly, do things which make the copy you have unable to verify itself.

On 2020-12-21 9:37 a.m., Bert Coules wrote:
"%" wrote:

Check and see if the updates are indeed being installed.

Thanks for the thought: a check reveals that two of the three have
apparently been installed on every single occasion where the message has
appeared - that's to say nearly sixty times now.Â* The third, which is
Internet Explorer 11, has failed to install the same number of times.

I don't need Internet Explorer 11 (or any other version come to that) so
I suppose I can safely
stop it happening by changing the update preferences.Â* It seems an odd
thing to be happening, though.

delete the updates and let windows start the update again ,
don't force it to update just let it happen when it's ready ,
and don't do anything while it downloads when it does ,
it takes a long time to install i did this already with window 10

On Monday, 21 December 2020 at 17:41:31 UTC, Bert Coules wrote:
"jon" wrote:

Block updates.

Exactly what I've now done; thanks for the suggestion. I'm still puzzled as
to why this started happening so recently, though - unless, as Cursitor Doom
suggests, it's actually nothing to with Windows at all.

I would be very unwilling to block updates these days. Delay or defer, maybe. Even then, I'd like to know what they are before making up my mind.

jon wrote:

Block updates

Upgrade to win10

On 21/12/2020 17:41, polygonum_on_google wrote:
On Monday, 21 December 2020 at 16:13:45 UTC, Bert Coules wrote:
Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC
insists on telling me that it's updating the operating system
(always with three updates) every single time I switch it off or
reboot it? Win7 hasn't been supported for about a year now, has
it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen
again the next time.

Thanks.

I have seen this sort of thing when there is a problem with the copy
of the update on your machine.

In Windows 10, they end up in this folder:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download

Can't for the life of me remember what happens in W7.

A possible W10 answer would be to delete the contents of that folder,
restart, and check for updates. But there are bound to be numerous
articles around discussing stuck updates.

Despite W7 being unsupported, MS have sometimes issued a patch to
older software when they have had a major issue to resolve. Such as
the recent SolarWinds hacking. Or possibly, do things which make the
copy you have unable to verify itself.

Whenever an update has failed Windows has generally told me which ones.
It may be worthwhile getting the KBXXXXXXXXXX numbers of the updates and
lookup/google the issues associated with them failing.

In message , Cursitor Doom
writes
On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:13:38 -0000, "Bert Coules"
wrote:

Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists on
telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it? Win7 hasn't been
supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again the
next time.

It's probably *uploading* new user data to the intelligence agencies
on the pretext of "updating" your system.

There is this one :-

2020-01 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x86-based
Systems (KB4539601)

Download size: 205.8 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Optional

Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing
of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated
Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer.

More information:
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4539601

Help and Support:
https://support.microsoft.com/help/4539601

and this one:-

Update for Windows 7 (KB2592687)

Download size: 4.2 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Optional

The Remote Desktop Protocol 8.0 update enables you to use the new Remote
Desktop Services features. These features are introduced in Windows 8
and in Windows Server 2012 and are available for computers that are
running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack
1. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592687

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com



--
Tim Lamb

On 21/12/2020 16:13, Bert Coules wrote:

Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists
on telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it?Â* Win7 hasn't
been supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again
the next time.

Probably windows update got its knickers in a twist. If you run the
troubleshooter, it has an option for fixing that which works most of the
time.

Failing that delete or rename the c:\windows\Software3Distribution
folder, and then manually run windows update once again.

Alternatively download the media creation tool for win 10, and let it
upgrade the machine to 10:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10

7 is getting far enough out of support to be a liability now.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 21/12/2020 18:03, John Rumm wrote:
On 21/12/2020 16:13, Bert Coules wrote:

Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC
insists on telling me that it's updating the operating system (always
with three updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it?
Win7 hasn't been supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again
the next time.

Probably windows update got its knickers in a twist. If you run the
troubleshooter, it has an option for fixing that which works most of the
time.

Failing that delete or rename the c:\windows\Software3Distribution
folder, and then manually run windows update once again.

Alternatively download the media creation tool for win 10, and let it
upgrade the machine to 10:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10

7 is getting far enough out of support to be a liability now.


If you have a genuine Win 7, you can still move to Win 10 without having
to pay. You will either need the licence key number on the sticker on
the computer case or if you have a mass produced PC that came with Win 7
preinstalled (Dell, HP, Lenovo etc.) then your licence key is built in
the BIOS and Windows will find it automatically during the install.

Bert Coules wrote:
"%" wrote:

Check and see if the updates are indeed being installed.

Thanks for the thought: a check reveals that two of the three have
apparently been installed on every single occasion where the message has
appeared - that's to say nearly sixty times now. The third, which is
Internet Explorer 11, has failed to install the same number of times.

I don't need Internet Explorer 11 (or any other version come to that) so
I suppose I can safely
stop it happening by changing the update preferences. It seems an odd
thing to be happening, though.

If you have a really old version of IE, something like IE11 needs
a DirectX update. THe installer silently starts downloading
dependency updates for IE, and it doesn't print anything
on the screen while doing so, leaving the user in the dark.
If only it had a status, so we could see what was failing or looping.

It might be failing because it is doing those updates and
has a problem.

If you can figure out what those update numbers are, to
install IE11, then use

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx

to fetch them and install them manually, that could allow
the IE11 thing to finish.

You will likely be told an update is already in progress,
so double clicking the .msu for each dependency update
isn't working.

Breadcrumb. I've never used this article. Have fun :-)
They claim this is a list of the guilty parties.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/tro...ates-for-ie-11

If the .msu files aren't working (install them before
trying IE11 again), you can use this diagcab. This is
a troubleshooter. Double clicking the diagcab, windows
should know what to do with it.

https://download.microsoft.com/downl...meta.diagca b

I don't have the download page for that one, only the
link for the actual download. MATS was torched by
Microsoft long ago. Windows 10 has all those sorts
of troubleshooters on board now. Windows 7 required
a user to download them, one at a time.

*******

I generally make a backup of C: before descending to
that level of repair/rework. There's really nothing
there that should break the OS, but you know what
software is like.

Paul

On 21/12/2020 18:35, Tim Streater wrote:
On 21 Dec 2020 at 17:51:17 GMT, Andy Burns wrote:

jon wrote:

Block updates

Upgrade to win10

That's a downgrade.

LOL!

yes, I'm still running Mint 17.3 ,
20 is latest.,..

Its stable and it works. Cant run skype on it anymore tho.


--
WOKE is an acronym... Without Originality, Knowledge or Education.

On 21/12/2020 17:58, Tim Lamb wrote:

There is this one :-

2020-01 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x86-based
Systems (KB4539601)


Not sure why you are seeing "preview quality rollups", those don't
normally push through the standard Windows Update - you'd normally see
them on enterprise WSUS?

Unless you are paying Microsoft for extended support I wouldn't expect
that there are any more worthwhile patches coming in by that channel.

Migrate, or air gap?

--
Adrian C

On Monday, 21 December 2020 at 21:49:03 UTC, Adrian Caspersz wrote:
On 21/12/2020 17:58, Tim Lamb wrote:

There is this one :-

2020-01 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x86-based
Systems (KB4539601)

Not sure why you are seeing "preview quality rollups", those don't
normally push through the standard Windows Update - you'd normally see
them on enterprise WSUS?

Unless you are paying Microsoft for extended support I wouldn't expect
that there are any more worthwhile patches coming in by that channel.

Migrate, or air gap?

On a fully up-to-date Windows 10, never used WSUS or any other update tools than standard Windows Update, I have six installed updates with the word "Cumulative Update Preview" in their names. Most, but not all, .NET.

I find it odd. But it seems legitimate.

"Paul" wrote:

If you have a really old version of IE, something like IE11 needs
a DirectX update.

To be honest, I'm not at all sure that this computer has *any* version of
Internet Explorer: I've only ever used Firefox. Thanks for the thought and
the tips.

"polygonum_on_google" wrote:

I would be very unwilling to block updates these
days. Delay or defer, maybe. Even then, I'd like
to know what they are before making up my mind.

So is Microsoft still sending out Windows 7 updates, despite the well
publicised "lack of support"? Perhaps security upgrades don't count as
support?

Andy Burns wrote:

Upgrade to win10.

So far, and on another machine, I've found Windows 10 to be very enticing in
some ways and incredibly annoying and unco-operative in others, especially
with regard to email.

John Rumm wrote:

7 is getting far enough out of support to be a liability now.

I find it hard to see that. Familiarity and compatibility are very
important to me and - for all the aspects of it which I do like - I find 10
to be rather lacking in both.

"mm0fmf" wrote:

If you have a genuine Win 7, you can still move to Win 10 without having
to pay.

Ah yes, but I don't want to.

On 21/12/2020 19:31, mm0fmf wrote:
On 21/12/2020 18:03, John Rumm wrote:
On 21/12/2020 16:13, Bert Coules wrote:

Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC
insists on telling me that it's updating the operating system (always
with three updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it?
Win7 hasn't been supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again
the next time.

Probably windows update got its knickers in a twist. If you run the
troubleshooter, it has an option for fixing that which works most of
the time.

Failing that delete or rename the c:\windows\Software3Distribution
folder, and then manually run windows update once again.

Alternatively download the media creation tool for win 10, and let it
upgrade the machine to 10:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/soft...load/windows10

7 is getting far enough out of support to be a liability now.


If you have a genuine Win 7, you can still move to Win 10 without having
to pay. You will either need the licence key number on the sticker on
the computer case or if you have a mass produced PC that came with Win 7
preinstalled (Dell, HP, Lenovo etc.) then your licence key is built in
the BIOS and Windows will find it automatically during the install.

The upgrade tool will work on any Win 7 or 8.1 platform that is
currently activated without needing to enter or specify a key. It also
seems to accept any real Win 7 or Win 8 / 8.1 key entered during a fresh
install.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Mon, 21 Dec 2020 23:04:26 +0000, Bert Coules wrote:

John Rumm wrote:

7 is getting far enough out of support to be a liability now.

I find it hard to see that. Familiarity and compatibility are very
important to me and - for all the aspects of it which I do like - I find
10 to be rather lacking in both.

Windows 7 is great OS and if you don't need any special drivers, then keep
it running.

I have an installed image of Win7 that I run sometimes and like it's
simplicity. I run Win10 1903 Server Workstation as a virtual system
without any updates at all. I have all the Microsoft servhost files
blocked from the internet and have had no problems.

On Monday, 21 December 2020 at 23:00:13 UTC, Bert Coules wrote:
"polygonum_on_google" wrote:

I would be very unwilling to block updates these
days. Delay or defer, maybe. Even then, I'd like
to know what they are before making up my mind.
So is Microsoft still sending out Windows 7 updates, despite the well
publicised "lack of support"? Perhaps security upgrades don't count as
support?

Microsoft appear to make an assessment something like: Would the impact of NOT patching/providing an update cause wide-ranging and severe issues to the rest of the internet or allow major criminal activity? Apple have recently sent out updates that fixed security issues in IOS phones which were well out of support.

Imagine a security hole which allowed all computers running Windows 7 (or older!) to be taken over and used to implement a distributed denial of service attack. Especially if it was able to do so without the owners/users actually doing anything like downloading software.

I agree with those who suggest that Windows 7 really is a security liability - even if you prefer it. Because only these extreme issues will get fixed..

"jon" wrote:

Windows 7 is great OS and if you don't
need any special drivers, then keep
it running.

Thank you for that.

"polygonum_on_google" wrote:

Microsoft appear to make an assessment something like...

That's interesting, thanks. I'll switch the update option to "Notify me and
let me decide what to install".

Well you need to look at the messages that you get. It keeps a list
normally. It might be stuck on a Microsoft security essentials update, and
also I noticed this message when Adobe updated its pdf reader though the
windows update system.

If you know when this started then take the machine back to the day before.

Have you uninstalled anything of late that might have upset the registry?

Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Bert Coules" wrote in message
o.uk...
Any suggestions as to why my Windows 7 (Home Premium) desktop PC insists
on telling me that it's updating the operating system (always with three
updates) every single time I switch it off or reboot it? Win7 hasn't been
supported for about a year now, has it?

On every occasion, the "upgrading" goes through, only to happen again the
next time.

Thanks.

It does seem odd, and I had a similar issue with windows media player.
Indeed it does not now function at all. No real issue as Winamp is far
superior to it. Also you can now download edge for Windows 7, and I did note
that windows also did an update, yes even on 7 to make this browser work
more reliably, so just turning off updates might not be such a good idea.
Remember that there are certain entities who have paid for windows 7 support
and hence any general fixes needed will occasionally appear for other
people.

What you won't see are the big updates for security that we used to get.


I don't know how long msse is going to be supported, it has now stopped for
xp but did used to work up to the middle of last year when the technology in
the engine was updated but not of course on xp.
Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Bert Coules" wrote in message
o.uk...
"%" wrote:

Check and see if the updates are indeed being installed.

Thanks for the thought: a check reveals that two of the three have
apparently been installed on every single occasion where the message has
appeared - that's to say nearly sixty times now. The third, which is
Internet Explorer 11, has failed to install the same number of times.

I don't need Internet Explorer 11 (or any other version come to that) so I
suppose I can safely
stop it happening by changing the update preferences. It seems an odd
thing to be happening, though.

"Brian Gaff (Sofa)" wrote:

Have you uninstalled anything of late that
might have upset the registry?

Not knowingly. I've changed the update option to "notify me and let me
decide what to install" so I'll see if that solves the problem.

Thanks for your thoughts.

In message , Adrian Caspersz
writes
On 21/12/2020 17:58, Tim Lamb wrote:
There is this one :-
2020-01 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for
x86-based Systems (KB4539601)


Not sure why you are seeing "preview quality rollups", those don't
normally push through the standard Windows Update - you'd normally see
them on enterprise WSUS?

Unless you are paying Microsoft for extended support I wouldn't expect
that there are any more worthwhile patches coming in by that channel.

Migrate, or air gap?

Little of it means anything to me. I normally allow the system to
install recommended updates.

These two are just sitting in the optional updates file.

This machine is a recon. from Chelmsford College so I suppose they might
have some support agreement.


--
Tim Lamb

On 22/12/2020 10:07, Tim Streater wrote:
I'd really rather not, thank you. Whoever designed the UI for Win10 was
clearly on drugs at the time.

"Windows for Weirdos".


--
"And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch".

Gospel of St. Mathew 15:14

On 22/12/2020 10:13, Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , Adrian Caspersz
writes
On 21/12/2020 17:58, Tim Lamb wrote:
Â*There is this one :-
Â*2020-01 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for
x86-basedÂ* Systems (KB4539601)


Not sure why you are seeing "preview quality rollups", those don't
normally push through the standard Windows Update - you'd normally see
them on enterprise WSUS?

Unless you are paying Microsoft for extended support I wouldn't expect
that there are any more worthwhile patches coming in by that channel.

Migrate, or air gap?

Little of it means anything to me. I normally allow the system to
install recommended updates.

These two are just sitting in the optional updates file.

This machine is a recon. from Chelmsford College so I suppose they might
have some support agreement.


The odd thing is that my utterly computer illiterate friend/neighbour of
- ahem - Asian origin , has Linux I installed for him, on the basis that

- I could support it
- He was less likely to catch a virus
- since he had no clue how to even operate a toaster, he wouldn't be
able to tell the difference.

Now all the issues that I have to sort out are in the main because he
believes the spam mail that says his BTinternet account is compromised,
phones up BT changes half his passwords, but not the other half, and
ends up in a complete mess. Which would happen whatever system he was
on.I have told him to ditch BTinternet mail because I have set up an
alternative for him, which has never showed any signs of being a problem
but in some strange logic that I do not understand, he says he must
continue with it because *he has paid for it*. Oddly he doesn't feel the
same compulsion to watch BBC TV in preference to any other channel.


He has never failed however to fill in a simple password to keep the
Linux up to date.

Apart from the fact that you need to install it, Linux Mint is actually
far EASIER to manage than my old windows 98 setups used to be.

Unless you wander off the Mint reservation, when its just as hard, but
no harder, and there is more info online.

I even managed to get a 120 format negative scanner working on it.

Really if all you need is browser/word processor/email/ Linux is way
better and easier and less of a target than Win10, and if you liked the
XP look and feel you will be instantly at home with the MATE desktop on
linux mint.Sadly firefox chews up the best part of a gigabyte of RAM so
you need at least 2, better 4 of that...but apart from that, old
machines work well.

Even the Windows key works as expected!


--
€œSome people like to travel by train because it combines the slowness of
a car with the cramped public exposure of €¨an airplane.€�

Dennis Miller

In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes
Little of it means anything to me. I normally allow the system to
install recommended updates.
These two are just sitting in the optional updates file.
This machine is a recon. from Chelmsford College so I suppose they
might have some support agreement.


The odd thing is that my utterly computer illiterate friend/neighbour
of - ahem - Asian origin , has Linux I installed for him, on the basis
that

- I could support it
- He was less likely to catch a virus
- since he had no clue how to even operate a toaster, he wouldn't be
able to tell the difference.

Now all the issues that I have to sort out are in the main because he
believes the spam mail that says his BTinternet account is
compromised, phones up BT changes half his passwords, but not the other
half, and ends up in a complete mess. Which would happen whatever
system he was on.I have told him to ditch BTinternet mail because I
have set up an alternative for him, which has never showed any signs of
being a problem but in some strange logic that I do not understand, he
says he must continue with it because *he has paid for it*. Oddly he
doesn't feel the same compulsion to watch BBC TV in preference to any
other channel.


He has never failed however to fill in a simple password to keep the
Linux up to date.

Apart from the fact that you need to install it, Linux Mint is actually
far EASIER to manage than my old windows 98 setups used to be.

Unless you wander off the Mint reservation, when its just as hard, but
no harder, and there is more info online.

I even managed to get a 120 format negative scanner working on it.

Really if all you need is browser/word processor/email/ Linux is way
better and easier and less of a target than Win10, and if you liked the
XP look and feel you will be instantly at home with the MATE desktop on
linux mint.Sadly firefox chews up the best part of a gigabyte of RAM
so you need at least 2, better 4 of that...but apart from that, old
machines work well.

Even the Windows key works as expected!

Still only 32 bit though I do have a full set of RAM. I use an Epson
printer/scanner. My vague plan was to replace the machine with something
up to date once W10 had settled down...

Meanwhile this does all I need.



--
Tim Lamb

On 21/12/2020 20:12, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 21/12/2020 18:35, Tim Streater wrote:
On 21 Dec 2020 at 17:51:17 GMT, Andy Burns wrote:

jon wrote:

Â* Block updates

Upgrade to win10

That's a downgrade.

LOL!

yes, I'm still running Mint 17.3 ,
20 is latest.,..

Its stable and it works. Cant run skype on it anymore tho.



Can you run anything useful on it ?

On 22/12/2020 11:10, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 22/12/2020 10:13, Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , Adrian Caspersz
writes
On 21/12/2020 17:58, Tim Lamb wrote:
Â*There is this one :-
Â*2020-01 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for
x86-basedÂ* Systems (KB4539601)


Not sure why you are seeing "preview quality rollups", those don't
normally push through the standard Windows Update - you'd normally
see them on enterprise WSUS?

Unless you are paying Microsoft for extended support I wouldn't
expect that there are any more worthwhile patches coming in by that
channel.

Migrate, or air gap?

Little of it means anything to me. I normally allow the system to
install recommended updates.

These two are just sitting in the optional updates file.

This machine is a recon. from Chelmsford College so I suppose they
might have some support agreement.


The odd thing is that my utterly computer illiterate friend/neighbour of
- ahem - Asian origin ,Â* has Linux I installed for him, on the basis that

- I could support it
- He was less likely to catch a virus
- since he had no clue how to even operate a toaster, he wouldn't be

So he is easy to bull**** to then ? Or is he actually cleverer
than you, but is being polite to keep quiet.

I even managed to get a 120 format negative scanner working on it.


I've just tried my Nikon Super Coolscan 9000 on Win 10.
First time I have used it for a few years and it works and scans fine
using the supplied Nikon scan application.

It's probably worth double what I paid for it in 2008.

Bert Coules wrote:
"Paul" wrote:

If you have a really old version of IE, something like IE11 needs
a DirectX update.

To be honest, I'm not at all sure that this computer has *any* version
of Internet Explorer: I've only ever used Firefox. Thanks for the
thought and the tips.

Everything since year 2000 shipped with IE on it.

Look for "iexplore.exe".

Use your Agent Ransack for example, and see how
many copies you've got and in which folders.

Some will be in WinSXS and those don't count (that's
a cache area of sorts, used for maintenance - do
not delete that folder!).

Doing Properties on the EXE, will give a release
number, and there's at least one web site with a list
of values.

One of the files in the folder, is an "HTML engine",
and is used for functions such as .chm (help) files.

This is why Microsoft used to claim that IE was
"essential" to the OS. Because they managed to
use the engine for stuff. When you "remove" IE using
various means, the folder stays and so does the engine,
because the engine is "essential" :-) Uninstalling
iexplore.exe means removing access to that executable
and that is all. Most of the rest stays put.

When you go to activate Windows XP, IE is used as part
of the activation procedure. And in recent years (2012 or
newer), the activation will not complete unless the user
installs a later IE version (need support for https or so).
The height of foolishness. Later Windows are not hobbled
like that.

Some day, in Windows 10, IE might just disappear. As
there are other engines about. (Metro applications are
made from Javascript and HTML, that sort of thing.)
Metro applications have a "fake EXE", which is a
container for a manifest, a list of components that
need to be loaded. When you spot a Metro EXE, and
double click it, the screen blinks... and that's
all that happens. It's because the EXE part of the
EXE is a stub, and it "exits immediately" if clicked.
Metro ones only start if "launched" - like a boat ramp,
they have to slide down the cradle to be started.

The 64-bit version of Windows 10, has both a 64-bit
iexplore.exe and a 32-bit iexplore.exe. It was a demo
carried out by Microsoft, to show developers how you can
have both (each in a separate folder, not together).
There may be some limitation on ActiveX
that requires the 32-bit one. I don't use IE, so
can't say for sure what the various versions are
good for.

Paul

On 22/12/2020 05:59, jon wrote:
Windows 7 is great OS

But so much slower than Win8/8.1 and 10 when run on the same hardware.

ChromEdge ("MSEdge for Windows 7") has its own updater.
Switching off Windows Update would not help.

Microsoft Edge Elevation Service = elevation_service.exe
Microsoft Edge Update Service (edgeupdate) = microsoftedgeupdate.exe
Microsoft Edge Update Service (edgeupdatem) = microsoftedgeupdate.exe

Using Sysinternals Autoruns, the Chrome mechanism is:

Google Chrome Elevation Service = elevation_service.exe
Google Chrome Update Service (gupdate) = googleupdate.exe
Google Chrome Update Service (gupdatem) = googleupdate.exe

Many of the mechanisms used by the two, are the same.
One difference is, in Programs and Features, Google Update
is no longer visible as an uninstallable feature. I think
a few years back, it may have had a separate entry.

These do not exactly rely on Windows Update, either of them.

The googleupdate service, was supposed to have the logic, that
it would only "remove itself" if all Google products were
uninstalled. I was unable to get it to do that (remove itself).
By not having a Programs and Features entry, this is intended
to make it (almost) impossible to remove. by the usual naive means.

Paul