Many people are aware that Windows 7 updates can improve the functionality of the system, as well as improve the security of the PC.
When installing third-party programs or surfing the Internet, you cannot be particularly confident that some malicious virus will not get into your system, and your system will be vulnerable. Also, errors may appear in the system that can lead to complete inoperability of Windows 7.
It is updates that help counter threats that can harm the installed system. Thanks to timely patches and updates, you can confidently maintain Windows 7 in excellent current working condition.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that updates should only be installed from trusted places. Otherwise, you can cause even more harm. Today, attackers can create sites through which they will encourage you to download updates and update Windows 7. If you succumb to such tricks, you may regret it bitterly, because such tricks can cause harm: a worm, virus or other dirty trick can be introduced, which will bring a lot of problems, both to the system and and you.
This is why you need to update Windows 7 through Windows Update. This is a reliable source for updating and is also a Windows feature.
How to update Windows 7 via Update?
Windows Update can be opened in the following ways:
- To open the menu, click the “Start” button, then open the “Control Panel”, where you should select “Windows Update” from the list of components.
- To open the menu, click the “Start” button, then open “All Programs” and select “Windows Update” from the list that appears.
- To open the menu, click the “Start” button, after which you need to enter wuapp.exe or in the search field, where you need to open the application based on the results obtained.
You can also create an icon and place it on your desktop. To do this, you must perform the following operations:
Checking for updates in Update Center
To update the system and check for updates, you must do the following:
If there is nothing to update, and all critical and important updates have already been installed, but optional ones remain, the following image will appear.
Both optional and important updates may be displayed. If, when only optional updates are displayed, there is no “Install updates” button, then you should select “Optional updates: ss pcs. available”, where ss is the number of additional changes. Then click on “OK”.
Important updates will improve the security of Windows 7, as well as your entire computer, and should be installed. Optional updates in most cases represent updates to programs or device drivers that do not significantly affect their operation.
You can install optional driver updates if new features are available (for example, additional languages), or if existing programs or drivers are unstable.
Updates for other Microsoft software products
In addition to Windows 7, you can update other programs from Microsoft, including Microsoft Office and notifications about the availability of new software.
In order for the update center to give you information about the release of updates for other programs, you must do the following. On the left side of Windows Update, you need to select Customize Settings. Then, in the Update Center section, check the box to provide updates when updating Windows 7 for Microsoft products, as well as the presence of optional software. If the automatic receipt of updates already uses Microsoft Update, it will automatically display the update status.
If you uncheck the box, then the next time you start setting up parameters, this option will no longer be present. So that this option is available and you can update
program you need to do the following:
This update option for optional software will then appear back in Windows 7 Update settings.
Some programs, such as spyware detection programs and antivirus programs, have links that let you check for updates while you're inside the program, or provide notifications or offer subscription services when new updates are available. We recommend that you first check for available updates for security-related programs and frequently used devices and programs.
Selecting update installation methods
Microsoft allows you to update and install updates in various ways. In Windows 7 there are four modes for this. To change the method for installing updates, you need to open the “Update Center”, then open “Settings” in the left area and select the method that suits you best in the “Important updates” list in the method for installing updates.
Updates make changes to the performance of Windows 7, eliminate various errors and glitches, and also add new features. Microsoft is still releasing security patches and fixing system issues.
Update centre
The Windows 7 Update Center is responsible for downloading the latest “seven” patches. The icon for opening it can be found in the program list Start or in Control panels. There you can install the latest versions of system components.
Settings
In Update Center, open the menu " Settings». 
Initially, the system operates in auto-update mode. But this function can be disabled, in which case it will be necessary to use the manual function. To do this, activate the search for the latest versions. 
The dialog box will display a list of components for which any changes have been made. They are divided into three groups. 
There are three groups of updates:
- Important. This group includes significant or critical system changes related to data security and the functioning of various Windows components. Any innovation from the “Important” group should be installed immediately when it is released. This will keep your computer and its data in better condition.
- Recommended. This includes fixing non-critical PC problems, but still quite significant. Their installation will make the operation of your PC more comfortable, eliminate existing problems or avoid their occurrence in the future. Both auto-update and manual download are available.
- Optional. This group includes those innovations that do not make significant changes to the functioning of the computer and do not correct serious problems. They are designed to make the system more user-friendly, but are not considered important or critical. They cannot be installed automatically; downloading is available only in manual mode.
Read about ways to disable auto-update of the system in ours.
An important nuance: anyone can update Windows 7 for free. No board is required to load any system components from the list. But you should understand that the procedure consumes Internet traffic. This fact must be taken into account by users with limited connections.
Selecting Components to Install
The user has a choice of components to install. For example, if you have a third-party antivirus installed, there is no need to download the latest version of Windows Defender. 
In the same way, you can disable the installation of other components. But if you are not sure of their significance or do not know the function, it is better to leave everything as is.
In any case, it is highly recommended to download updates from the first group, from the second, too, but from the third, if desired.
Recommendation: if automatic mode is disabled on your computer, it is advisable to update the system yourself. This will support the latest version of Windows 7, which includes new features as well as fixes for old problems.
Possible problems and their solutions
Various problems may occur when trying or during the process of updating Windows 7. Let's look at the most popular of them.
Problem 1: Auto-update does not work
Initially, the system is configured in such a way that it automatically downloads all new versions and installs them when the computer is restarted. But in some situations this feature is disabled or does not work.
In the first case, you need to enable auto-update. This is done through a special service:
In the second case, you need to update the OS manually.
Problem 2: Cannot update the system manually
When installing new versions of Windows 7, various problems may occur. First of all, you should check your Internet connection. Installation files are downloaded from Microsoft servers, and if there is no Internet connection, downloading them is impossible.
When trying to update the operating system, you should disable any anti-virus programs and computer protection tools. It is advisable to close all unnecessary programs.
If you want to download a specific Windows component, but this cannot be done, you can download the installation package yourself from the developer’s servers.
Official Microsoft Download Center page - https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/download/default.aspx
There is a search area at the top of the page. Enter the name of the required component into it and click on the icon in the shape of a magnifying glass. 
Problem 3: The system has crashed
If, as a result of the update, the computer began to work worse or any problems arose, then you should roll back Windows to its previous state. The corresponding function is located in the control panel. Read more about this in our article “Windows 7 System Restore”.
Despite the apparent superiority of Windows 7 over Windows 10, the desire for something new has always lived in every user. And there are more and more updated applications. And you can turn off unnecessary things in Windows 10.
Why update Windows 7 to 10
The statistics are inexorable: at least half of people love Windows 7 for its similarity to Windows XP/Vista: classic menus, simple appearance with the best performance, complementary (and not completely reconfigured and hidden) functionality, modern functions and capabilities no worse than Windows 8/ 8.1/10, approximately the same performance (almost no different) in games. And yet, some people think: “There is only one life - I want to try new systems, I don’t want to be ignorant,” and time will push - in any job in 5 years they will switch to Windows 10, replacing PCs and laptops.
How to Upgrade Windows 7 to 10: Practical Methods
To do this, you need the Windows 10 Updater program - it will download the Windows 10 installation package from Microsoft servers. If you use cellular Internet, make sure you have high-speed traffic of 4 GB or more, otherwise downloading files will take several days.
- Download Windows 10 Updater from Microsoft's website. This is a kind of Windows 10 update wizard
- Launch Windows 10 Updater.
You must have unlimited Internet access - The Windows 10 installer will check the necessary requirements from your hardware.
If the necessary hardware resources are available on the PC, the installer will begin downloading the files - The installation package will begin downloading. The installer downloads files in one stream (and not in several, like Download Master or uTorrent) - the connection should not be interrupted, incoming traffic should not freeze for a long time, otherwise, having downloaded, say, 42%, you can easily face the need to download the Windows package Update again.
The main thing is that there are no unplanned errors during the update. - Continue to solve your other tasks on the computer - the installer will notify you about the completion of one or another stage, and before the installation begins, you will have time to upload the result of your work and all your personal data that for some reason were not archived to drive D: or external media previously.
You have half an hour to do everything! - Copy files that you are not entirely sure about saving within this half hour to a safe place (to a removable disk, to a flash drive, to burn to DVD, etc.). You cannot cancel the reboot; there is no “Cancel” button. After this, the installation of Windows 10 “on top” of Windows 7 will begin. Do not turn off your PC until installation is complete.
Don't turn off your computer - Once the installation is complete, a message indicating the successful installation of Windows 10 will appear on the screen.
That's it, simple and fast
All! You can use Windows 10. In principle, this is enough.
Using the Windows Insider tool (requires registration with a Microsoft service) is not necessary - in fact, you already have a working version of Windows 10, and the Windows Insider tool itself was created for beta testers. It contains a Windows Feedback component that allows you to instantly and very clearly report any errors to Microsoft.
This is the fastest way to report unexpected Windows errors. Are you a tester? If the answer is no, then forget about Insider.
Upgrading Windows 7 Starter to 10 Home
Laptops and systems purchased in 2010 often came with Windows 7 Starter pre-installed. This is the initial working version of Windows, in which, unlike Windows 7 Home/Ultimate/Pro/Enterprise, the number of programs running simultaneously was sharply limited.
If you “demolished” Windows 7 Starter and installed other systems (MacOS, Linux or other versions of Windows), erasing the image on the disk in a hidden partition when the HDD was fully formatted, you will need to restore the license file (there is an entry in the BIOS that the PC certified by the manufacturer).
Windows 7 will be installed instead of Windows 7.
The last two steps will also save you from error 80240020 (sudden failure when upgrading to Windows 10).
Why is Windows 7 Starter not updating?
As of July 29, 2016, instructions for restoring a laptop certificate are useless. Microsoft will not wait 10 years for everyone who wants to change Windows 7 Starter to 10. If you do not want to prove to Microsoft that you are disabled, change Windows 7 Starter directly to Windows 10, simply by creating an installation flash drive or disk from an ISO taken from torrent tracker (“clean” installation with possible repartition of logical drives). It’s not a problem to recreate a hidden partition on the hard drive and write a Windows 10 image there, i.e., do everything the same way as it once was with Windows 7 Starter, without looking for any ciphers from Windows and PC. For example, owners of Acer Aspire One netbooks, without waiting for the end of the warranty period, but having waited for Windows 7 Ultimate by 2011, overnight “overwritten” the Starter version without regret.
“Numerical” errors when updating, requiring an individual approach
In addition to error 80240020 (Windows installation failure), another error occurs - 80246007. Turn on the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) service - it uses the unloaded bandwidth of your connection, transferring data with a lower priority.
Turn off the BITS service Do the following.
- To open Windows services, call the task manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc/Ctrl+Alt+Del) and go to the services tab. Or give the command “Start - Control Panel - Administrative Tools - Services”.
- Click the Services button to configure services.
- Restart the BITS service (click Restart). If it is disabled, click “Run”.
How long does it take to update Windows from 7 to 10?
Remember the message in Windows XP: “The installation will complete in 39 minutes”? In fact, it took 15–25 minutes. Any assessment is conditional. If at the same time other components are updated, for example, the “Client Profile.Net Framework”, as well as various driver packages (when the Windows 10 build is amateur, as was the case in the days of Windows XP/7 ZverDVD) - both the update and reinstallation can take an hour and a half. In Windows 8/8.1/10, they did everything to less fool people with messages like “Installing Start Menu Items” or “Registering Microsoft Components and Modules,” plus the improved modularity of Windows 10 resources and its updates allows you to quickly update system folder files.
Video: transition from Windows 7 Starter to 10
Video: manually updating Windows 7 to 10 via Windows MediaCreationTool.exe
Despite the problems when updating Windows to version 10, the goal of having Windows 10 for free on your PC is easily achievable. Don't turn off your PC's power when updating Windows: the biggest nuisance of updating is the uninstalled update
Upgrade to Windows 10 using updates.This method differs from others in that it requires minimal effort from you, but in return it requires more time. Everything is quite simple, check whether automatic installation of updates is enabled, if it is disabled, enable it. Then all you have to do is wait until the Windows icon appears in the taskbar.
By clicking on it, reserve the update by clicking the "Reserve free update" button.
If you wish, you can indicate your e-mail so that after your computer is ready you will be notified by letter.
At the end, a window will open asking you to wait; the wait may take several days.
Once your computer is ready, a message will appear. Click on it.
In the window that opens, click the "Continue" button.
You must then accept the license agreement.
The Windows 10 download process will begin.
After this, preparations for upgrading to Windows 10 will begin; the only thing that is required from you is consent to the installation.
All subsequent steps depend little on the update methods and are described.
Upgrade Windows7/8.1 to Windows 10 using Windows 10 Installation Media Creation Tool.
Unlike the first method, there is no need to wait until your computer is scanned and the necessary files are downloaded; you can upgrade to Windows 10 much faster.
This method involves using a Microsoft tool - Windows 10 Installation Media Creation Tool. To do this, first of all you need download it from the official website , select the version of the operating system that is installed on your computer/laptop.
Run the downloaded file
Select "Update this PC now."
After this, the standard procedure for upgrading to Windows 10 will begin, little different from the method you chose; you can familiarize yourself with it.
Upgrade to Windows 10 using a boot image.
The advantage of this method is that you minimize downloading from the Internet, and unlike the first method, you do not need to wait for file downloads.
For this method you will first need download Windows 10 ISO image . Unzip the downloaded archive and run the installer file SETUP.EXE.
The first step will be to download and install updates; if you wish, you can skip this item (if, for example, you have limited Internet access).
Upgrade process to Windows 10.
If your OS (Windows 7, Windows 8.1) has been activated, then this step will be skipped, otherwise you will need to enter the key. If you don't have one, but want to install Windows 10 for evaluation purposes, you can use installation keys. Do not confuse them with an activation key, since these keys will only allow you to upgrade to Windows 10, but will not activate it after installation.
Windows10 installation keys:
Windows 10 Home - TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
Windows 10 Home N - 3KHY7-WNT83-DGQKR-F7HPR-844BM
Windows 10 Home Single Language - 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
Windows 10 Home Country Specific - PVMJN-6DFY6-9CCP6-7BKTT-D3WVR
Windows 10 Professional - W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX
Windows 10 Professional N - MH37W-N47XK-V7XM9-C7227-GCQG9
Windows 10 Education - NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2
Windows 10 Education N - 2WH4N-8QGBV-H22JP-CT43Q-MDWWJ
Windows 10 Enterprise - NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
Windows 10 Enterprise N - DPH2V-TTNVB-4X9Q3-TJR4H-KHJW4
Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB - WNMTR-4C88C-JK8YV-HQ7T2-76DF9
Windows 10 Enterprise 2015 LTSB N - 2F77B-TNFGY-69QQF-B8YKP-D69TJ
Then you must agree to the licensing terms.
Next, you need to select which of the components you want to transfer; if all, then you can simply click “Next”. If you want to select only some components, click Change selected components to save and select the required conditions.
After this update Windows.
As a result of the update, a welcome window should open, click “Next”.
After this, you need to select system options. If you want to leave the default values, click "Use standard settings", if you want to change the configuration, click "Customize settings" and change the appropriate items.
A few minutes of preparation.
And the result is an updated OS to Windows 10.
As a result, you will receive Windows10 with all programs and files.
If you are not satisfied with Windows 10 in any way, within 30 days you can always
I’ll start with conclusions, and then there will be detailed instructions on how I recommend updating the Windows 7 system, as well as about automatic updates, about checking for updates manually, how to turn off the update and why you shouldn’t turn them off. Go!
Updates need to be installed. A good way to do this is " Look for updates, but the decision to download and install is up to me».
And when messages appear from Windows Update that new updates have been found, you need to take the time to download and install Windows updates.
Periodically, you can manually check for Windows updates using the “Search for updates” option (number 1 in Fig. 1), without waiting for these updates to be detected automatically. And, if updates are found manually, also install them on your PC.
With this approach, the Windows 7 operating system is up to date and will be maximally protected from.
Let's now figure out how to set up updates and how to install them so that they remain useful, but do not bother Windows 7 users.
Where is the Windows 7 update program located?
This program is called Windows Update. She can be found
- through the Search line (the “Start” button – enter the text without quotes in the “Search programs and files” line: “Windows Update”),
- or through the “Control Panel” (the “Start” button – “Control Panel” – “System and Security” – “Windows Update”).
After this, the Windows Update window will open on the screen, as shown in Fig. 1:
Rice. 1. Windows Update window
In this window we will be interested in two options: “Search for updates” (number 1 in Fig. 1) and “Setting parameters” (number 2 in Fig. 1).
Setting up Windows 7 updates
To configure updates, click on the inscription “Setting parameters” (number 2 in Fig. 1). A window will appear to select how to install Windows updates (Fig. 2):
Rice. 2. Window for setting up Windows 7 updates
Screenshot in fig. 2 was made in the Windows 7 Professional operating system. For others, the update window may look different.
The developers of Windows 7 offer users of this operating system 4 ways to install updates (numbers 1 – 4 in Fig. 2).
If you are interested in the question “How to enable Windows 7 update?”, You need to choose one of three methods:
- “Install updates automatically (recommended)” (number 1 in Fig. 2).
- “Download updates, but decisions about installation are made by me” (solid twos, because in Fig. 2 there is a number 2).
- “Look for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me” (number 3 in Fig. 2).
The question of how to “turn off Windows 7 update” is solved using the fourth method:
Let's look at all four methods in more detail.
I would also recommend this method, if not for one thing. It consists in the fact that searching, downloading and installing Windows updates is a rather complex and time-consuming task for a computer. This process does not go unnoticed by the user. While searching, downloading and installing updates, the computer loads heavily and slows down the execution of other tasks and programs. And at the end of installing the updates, it generally begins to require a system reboot.
And all this happens, as a rule, at the most inopportune moment. When there is no time to stop (pause) work and restart the PC.
For some reason, here I would like to recall Murphy’s law: “Left to themselves, events tend to develop from bad to worse.” That’s why I don’t want to give the operating system the ability to search for, download and install updates on its own.
Let's look at the second method of installing Windows 7 updates.
Method 2 “Download updates, but installation decisions are made by me”
Understanding that installing updates requires additional loading of the PC and requires a reboot to finally install new programs, Windows developers offer us this, more simplified option than the previous one (“Install updates automatically”).
Since automatically searching for updates and downloading them also requires PC resources, it also diverts computer power to these processes.
And this makes it difficult for users, again at the most inopportune moment, as luck would have it. And here I would like to remember Murphy’s Laws: “When things are going well, something is bound to happen in the very near future” and “When things are going badly, in the very near future they will go even worse.”
Therefore, let’s leave this Windows update method alone and move on to the third method.
Method 3 “Search for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me” or How to disable automatic updates in Windows 7?
Here we see minimal distraction of computer resources. Namely, resources are diverted only to find updates for the Windows 7 operating system via the Internet.
Found updates will not be downloaded to the user's computer until the user decides to do so. This method is especially convenient for those who have Internet with limited traffic. Because downloading updates means additional megabytes downloaded from the Internet
Therefore, despite the fact that this is only the third method on the list for installing Windows updates, this is the one I recommend for PC users.
We'll look at how to download and install updates later, but for now let's move on to the fourth and final method of installing Windows updates.
This is the last, 4th method to update the Windows 7 system.
And here I agree with the Windows developers that this method cannot be recommended for computer users.
Because by using this fourth method, the PC user thus refuses to receive and install any updates. And this can lead to an increase in security threats to the operating system and an increase in its vulnerability.
In addition to selecting the method for downloading and installing Windows updates, in the window for selecting a method for installing Windows updates, check the following boxes (see Fig. 2):
- "Receive recommended updates the same way you receive important updates"(number 5 in Fig. 2). Windows developers, in order to completely confuse PC users, came up with not only important (or in other words, mandatory) Windows updates, but also so-called recommended updates. It is not possible to distinguish one from the other. Therefore, in order not to get confused, you need to check the box next to this inscription.
- "Allow all users to install updates on this computer"(number 6 in Fig. 2). Why is this? If there are several accounts on the computer under which different users can work, or even one user under different accounts, then this checkbox gives all of them the right to download and install updates. The checkbox is useful, because otherwise you can forget about updates for a long time if you work under an account where updates will not be allowed. And this can lead to an increased threat of computer vulnerability.
- "When updating Windows, provide updates for Microsoft products..."(number 7 in Fig. 2). This is also a useful checkbox, since it allows you to receive not only updates for Windows operating system files, but also receive updates for application programs, such as Microsoft Office Word, etc. These applications also improve over time, and receiving updates for them allows you to have the latest versions.
- "Show detailed notifications when new Microsoft software is available"(number 8 in Fig. 2). You don’t have to check this box, since this is a kind of consent to receive advertising information. You can do it, it won't be any worse.
So, let’s set the third method for installing Windows updates: “Search for updates, but the decision to download and install is made by me.” And check all the above boxes (numbers 5-8 in Fig. 2).
Then click the “OK” button (Fig. 2). The window for choosing how to install Windows updates will close.
Let's move on to installing Windows 7 updates
Windows Update is now set to constantly search for new updates. While there are no updates, the Windows Update window will display the message “Windows does not require an update” on a green background, as shown by number 3 in Fig. 1.
But as soon as new updates appear and they are found, you will see the inscription “Download and install updates” with a yellow stripe (Fig. 6) indicating the volume that is to be downloaded from the Internet. The information is useful because for those with limited Internet traffic, it allows them to decide whether to download updates.
Let’s say if traffic is limited to 50 Megabytes (for example, when using the mobile Internet), and you have to download 100 Megabytes of updates, then such information will be a warning that this is not necessary.
Checking Windows 7 updates manually
Updates can be checked manually, without waiting for an automatic program to do it for us. To do this, in the “Windows Update” window, click on the inscription “Search for updates” (number 1 in Fig. 1). A running green line “Search for updates” will appear (number 1 in Fig. 3).
Rice. 3. Manually check for updates using Windows Update
After some time, the search will end. The search result may be
- lack of updates,
- found optional (recommended) updates or
- Mandatory (important) updates found.
Both required (important) and optional (but recommended) updates can also be searched simultaneously.
Installing Windows 7 updates
In Fig. 4 below shows the Windows Update window after searching for updates, when one optional (recommended) update is found.
Rice. 4. Windows Update window after completing the search for updates, when one optional (recommended) update was found
In the window that opens, check the box (number 1 in Fig. 5) opposite the name of the update (in this case, it is an update for the program), and then click on the “OK” button (number 2 in Fig. 5):
Rice. 5. Prepare to install the optional update
After this, we will return to the Windows Update window (Fig. 6), where the message “Download and install selected updates” will appear indicating the download size (in this case, it is a small volume, only 417 KB). Here you should click on the “Install updates” button (number 1 in Fig. 6).
Rice. 6. Completing preparations for installing the optional update
Immediately after this, the installation of Windows updates will begin. In the window (Fig. 7) the message “Updates are being installed...” will appear (number 1 in Fig. 7). And below it the installation progress will be shown. The installation of updates can be interrupted at any time by clicking on the “Stop installation” button (number 2 in Fig. 7).
But in general, it is not recommended to interrupt the installation of updates. It is better to wait until the installation is completed, although in some cases this may take quite a long time.
Rice. 7. Performing the Windows update installation procedure
Once the installation is complete, the message “Updates installed successfully” may appear, as shown in Fig. 8. But if there are many updates and they are complex, then you may need to restart the operating system. In this case, a Windows Update window will prompt you to reboot. It is advisable to agree to this and reboot the operating system to finally complete the installation of updates.
Rice. 8. Windows update installation completion window
When rebooting the Windows 7 operating system after installing Windows updates, you must not turn off the computer until the complete cycle of unloading (stopping) the system and then booting the system has been completed. This can also take a decent amount of time, but you need to be patient and complete this process in a normal manner without interrupting it halfway.
Also, during a reboot, blue screen messages may appear indicating the progress of installing Windows updates. It will show what percentage of the installation is complete.
As a rule, when unloading the system, updates are installed at 30%, after which the computer turns off for a moment and begins to boot again. During download, updates are already installed 100%, which may also result in messages being displayed on a blue screen.
And yet, why do we need updates?
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