Stop Microsoft Auto Updates NOW!!

I have not received any new updates since April 8th for my Asus i7 laptop.

The updates sent out are based on your specific computer. They have your specific computer ID when you check for updates.

The down-load and installation of updates happens before you are asked to "restart" the computer. If an error occurred then I would have been told then that an error occurred.

When you are asked to "restart", it is the reconfiguration of Windows that occurs with the warning to not turn off the computer (don't hit the power switch during restart).

Depending on the information found on each computer when updates are asked for I suppose it is possible for some machines to get an update not correctly programed for them.

fla-gypsy wrote:
Updated win7 machine two days ago and no problems.

No issues here either. Also received an update on a Windows 7 machine.

Received WIN 7 updates in the past few days that stalled, and would not complete past 80%. Manually re-booted my desktop, despite the "Do Not Turn-Off" your system warning. MS tried to re-install the updates again but would not complete, so re-booted again ignoring the warning.

On the third attempt, MS detected the install issue and auto rolled back the updates, which is what its supposed to or attempt to do when it detects a failed update. My guess is that the update was downloaded corrupt or incomplete on my end.

It hit me yesterday. I'm running a Toshiba laptop on Windows 7 Home Premium and when applying the full update, I lost all wireless connectivity. After restoring successfully, I've isolated the problem to be the cumulative Internet Explorer 11 update that is causing the issue. I just skipped that update and everything is now OK.

Update from the OP. I received the replacement system from Dell yesterday but Fed Ex destroyed it in transit. It literally looked like it was kicked down a flight of stairs. It is headed back to Dell and they are building another computer....again. This started on March 14th and who knows when it will end.

I am back on here today for a very good reason.

Today's update Tuesday has "7 updates". 6 have been chosen for updating first. That means the computer requires "RESTARTING" after the first 6 have been downloaded (successfully) and installed (successfully).

After giving time for the restart to re-configure Windows, you will need to go back and check the Update Window. The remaining Important update will then have to be checked to download it, install, and go through another RESTART to get Windows reconfigured again.

This is the part that can easily fail when you don't keep your "cotton picking" fingers off the mouse and key-board while the action is happening. Using "Automatic" down-loading means you may be typing away missing the fact that it is happening in the background.

The computer repair guy will most likely not blame you the customer. BUT!. 97% of the time YOU are the problem. Not Windows or the computer.

For me I still have my older computers. R.S. Model III/IV (1979), Gateway (1999), and my current Asus I7 gaming laptop computer. All working with no failed hard-drives, floppies, or any other parts.

Update from the OP. Dell has amazed me. They have contacted me a couple times wanting to close my service ticket and I've told them that they still didn't have the solid state drive set up correctly and I wasn't willing to waste any more time with their service techs in the office or on the phone. I told them I was about ready to cut my loss and move on to another brand system.

I received an email Friday that they had put in a request for a complete system replacement and it would be either approved or denied within 3 working days. Late today I received word that it was approved and delivery would be by next Monday & was provided a link to the build sheet.

While I'm not letting Dell completely off the hook because the whole service experience was a disaster, they have stepped up to correct their errors.

In my earlier posts here I might not have explained the full procedure to Windows updating.

Being a little paranoid since having purchased my first computer back in 1979, and needing to do all my own programing for wanted programs. I always make sure I know what is going on.

First I am set up for Windows to inform me of updates. No automatic updating.

Then I am always in the habit of checking for updates each day. My laptop computer does check for updates each time it is turned on. The update window icon when clicked will show if updates found then (time done etc.)

If any updates are found on the check, I first make sure all programs, or windows on internet are closed. Then I follow directions on the window for downloading updates and installation.

If you sit there and watch what is happening the first item is Windows7 saving a reset point for recovery (if needed). Then the downloading of updates takes place. After successful downloading the program goes immediately to installation of each update until successful. The program then asks you to close programs & save data if not done earlier. It then asks for a (hot) RESTART of your computer (restart icon show in the window).

After hitting restart the computer starts "Reconfiguring windows". You see a percentage of amount completed, along with warning not to shut down computer. Looks like panic time if your not used to message or understand it. Then before the reconfigure is complete the screen goes black and other screens for Windows show Windows restarting. After that point where it looks like the world came to an end, you will again see "Reconfiguring windows" continuing on with percentage showing, and warning not to shut down computer.

After that the next potential problem. If you passworded your computer the password window may show up before seeing "Reconfiguration completed". DO NO ENTER the password right away. I wait about 5 min. for LED on front edge of laptop to slow down on read/writes to the hard-drive.

Signing in can bomb the "reconfigure" process. My Asus will go to safe mode if it happens with options for recovery. It always works.

It should be noted that the "reconfiguration" of Windows7 (or later) only takes place on "RESTART" of the computer. With the process going on in the background you might not ever notice any small pop-up window on lower panel ever show up. It lasts for less than in minute.

When you go to "shut down" the laptop (cold shutdown) you might notice the computer screen showing "Reconfiguring of Windows. Do not turn off computer" You are already screwed unless the updates did not have to do with startup programing. This is the routine that can mess up certain brands, hardware, or system software, found on your specific system. Earlier Windows OS may work the same off their current Updating system.

SAC, not being computer savvy, what I meant by "working as desired" is that to make sure the computer is generating a restore point.
Don

W4RLR wrote:
When I see threads like these, I am thankful that Windows is NOT my primary operating system.

Come to think of it, I actually have more MAC systems than PCs. However, use my Windows 7/8 PCs every day. Rarely use the MACs.

In fact, just used a MAC workstation today at work, setup for 16-track audio recording(Audacity) input from a Yamaha digital mix board. While had a Dell WIN 7 workstation running video streaming/recording software, another WIN 7 running live video switcher/captioning, and a third WIN 7 running a graphics workstation, all side by side.

To be honest, MAC systems are more difficult to troubleshoot and configure both hardware/software, and not as flexible in Enterprise environments for custom applications than Windows machines.