Windows 7 update nag

[Aaron]

Alright, so now I've noticed two things that are strange:

1. I can't hide updates anymore and see the update list
2. I keep getting this annoying, nagging, forced Windows Update pop-up reminder/alert:

As you can see, there are two options: "Restart now" and "Postpone".

I always click on postpone when it appears because I just don't want to install those "important updates" because they might just force me to upgrade to Windows 10(!) which I don't want (obviously because it's garbage). How do I make it stop nagging me about it and let me choose whenever/if I want to install them so I don't have to postpone constantly? I already set the options of Windows Update from "Install updates automatically (recommended)" to "Download updates, but let me choose whether to install them" and it doesn't work. What do I do? I really don't want to upgrade and I still want to use it until the support for Windows 7 ends in 2020. I want to use it for at least that much time peacefully.

[Maz]

Errrm, "support until 2020" means that Windows will provide updates until 2020. After 2020, there will be no more Windows 7 updates, which means that potential security branches, bugs etc. will not be fixed.

That being said, if you refuse to update your system, that kind of support is literally useless to you. I don't know why you'd think that these "important updates" would entail an upgrade to Windows 10. Just let your PC install them.

And if you are really that afraid of losing your precious Windows 7, you can always create a back-up file or adjust your PC to support 2 different systems (given that you have multiple drives; one could have W7 installed, the other one W10 - you should switch to W10 at some point anyway, unless you don't want to stay with Windows at all after 2020).

Edit: Just noticed that I techincally didn't answer the actual question, good job me!
I don't know how to disable that pop-up window other than accepting, sorry...

[Steo]

I feel like Windows 10 does everything so wrong that I'd actually recommend 8.1 for the 2 years once support for 7 ends or else switching to Linux. Personally I'd switch to Linux and dual boot with Windows 7. Just use 7 to play games and stuff that you'd play offline and use Linux for anything where security can become an issue.

I know a lot of people seem to like Windows 10, but I don't and I understand why those other people don't like it also and don't want it forced down their throats by Microsoft or anyone else.

[Hoodcom]

This is honestly nothing new, we've had this since at least Windows XP.

The solution is simple for any version of Windows (Except Windows 10), is go into your control panel, go to Windows Update, change settings, and tell it not to automatically install the updates or schedule a better time frame. Basically like the attached image. That'll completely eliminate the nags.

[Aaron]

This is honestly nothing new, we've had this since at least Windows XP.

The solution is simple for any version of Windows (Except Windows 10), is go into your control panel, go to Windows Update, change settings, and tell it not to automatically install the updates or schedule a better time frame. Basically like the attached image. That'll completely eliminate the nags.

Oh, thanks! I'll try that.

Also Maz, I do kinda worry about losing Windows 7 and I don't want to just let it restart, or postponing it all the time because when I come back, I don't want to be greeted with the brand new system because I love Windows 7 and also, at this point, you might say "For every OS, support ends after a certain amount of time and as a result, if you want your OS to be secure, you have to upgrade it at one point" and you're right and I know that, but still. Also about the backup, how do I create one? Sorry if it sounds like I'm just dumb, but I'm not that good with tech.

And Steo, good idea! I might actually try doing the dual boot thing, but I have an OS that's not running on a VM from another OS.

[PluMGMK]

Windows 10 updates were only pushed to Windows 7 users for a one-year period. That's not the case anymore. Also please reread the first couple of paragraphs of Maz's post. These updates *are* the "support until 2020" that you mentioned. Disabling them is the same thing as cutting off that support for yourself right now, in 2019.

[Steo]

I do find the update nagging annoying myself, but I know they're usually security updates that could be vital to your system also. It's true that when support ends, you'll become prone to security breaches etc. and that's why I recommend dual booting 7 with Linux. At least that way you can still play your games and have a secure system at the same time. I'd be only using Linux alone if all my games would work properly, but likely we'll see an improvement in the future with stuff like Proton coming into play.

I don't like Windows 10 and I know there are a few others who refuse to upgrade to the OS also and that's why I think it'd be better to just use Linux. I think all that's stopping most people from using Linux is the game compatibility with it. As soon as all games start to natively work on Linux, Windows will be dead, assuming their next OS is anything like 10.

[Maz]

I don't know what Microsoft named all these things in English, but if you open your system setting, you should find a window for computer security. You should then be able to configure a safe point. That safe point will remember your data from the moment of creation - if you use it, any changes done in-between creation and now (for instance: newly installed Windows updates, new programs, deleted programs etc.) will be reverted.

OR - which I would always recommend since it works even if your PC, I dunno, explodes or something - you could save all your stuff on an external hard drive. It's a bit of a pain to set that up and keep it up-to-date, but if anything ever goes wrong, you will have all your desired data accessible.

Maybe there's other ways, too, but to learn about that you would need someone more knowledgeable than me.

But like PluM said, W10 is no longer pushed onto W7 users. Updates should work just fine.

Edit:

I don't like Windows 10 and I know there are a few others who refuse to upgrade to the OS also and that's why I think it'd be better to just use Linux. I think all that's stopping most people from using Linux is the game compatibility with it. As soon as all games start to natively work on Linux, Windows will be dead, assuming their next OS is anything like 10.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if memory serves, Microsoft said that there will be no OS after W10. I remember them saying that they will continuously work on updates for W10 from now on.

[Steo]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if memory serves, Microsoft said that there will be no OS after W10. I remember them saying that they will continuously work on updates for W10 from now on.

I hadn't looked into it, but that makes things even worse. There's just too many things I don't like about 10, the way it looks, the way half of the games/programs don't even work properly without having compatibility issues and stuff. Linux is just looking better and better by the day, it's all just down to getting certain games to work correctly.

EDIT: My GPU only has drivers for WIndows 7 and Windows 10, so I have to use one or the other unless I use Linux which uses MESA drivers anyway.

[PluMGMK]

Well, there won't be any new Windows versions "after" 10, BUT that's just because every new version is now just rolled out as an "Update" for 10. This happens about once a year, so the OS known as "Windows 10" now is not the same OS that was called "Windows 10” in 2016.

[Steo]

Well, there won't be any new Windows versions "after" 10, BUT that's just because every new version is now just rolled out as an "Update" for 10. This happens about once a year, so the OS known as "Windows 10" now is not the same OS that was called "Windows 10” in 2016.

That's where most of the widespread issues come from. Just as they have the OS working somewhat decently, they release an update which breaks everything.

[PluMGMK]

Yeah, that's it. Backwards compatibility used to be Windows's strong point, but it's getting a bit wishy-washy now, at least when it comes to old games…

[Aaron]

I do find the update nagging annoying myself, but I know they're usually security updates that could be vital to your system also. It's true that when support ends, you'll become prone to security breaches etc. and that's why I recommend dual booting 7 with Linux. At least that way you can still play your games and have a secure system at the same time. I'd be only using Linux alone if all my games would work properly, but likely we'll see an improvement in the future with stuff like Proton coming into play.

I don't like Windows 10 and I know there are a few others who refuse to upgrade to the OS also and that's why I think it'd be better to just use Linux. I think all that's stopping most people from using Linux is the game compatibility with it. As soon as all games start to natively work on Linux, Windows will be dead, assuming their next OS is anything like 10.

Oh, okay. See, I do want those updates because I know they are actually important and that in 2020, I would probably not use it anymore because of the security breaches and stuff that you said and it just wouldn't be safe anymore.

Also, thanks Maz! I actually did know before that there was a built-in feature for that, I just forgot all about it, but now I remember.

Another thing, you may go on and lock this thread now Plum, because I think the issue has turned out not to actually be one, so yeah.

[Steo]

Yeah, that's it. Backwards compatibility used to be Windows's strong point, but it's getting a bit wishy-washy now, at least when it comes to old games…

That's it, the backwards compatibility is gone, yet Xbox has great backwards compatibility that grows by the day. I wonder why they do it with Xbox and not Windows though.

[PluMGMK]

Another thing, you may go on and lock this thread now Plum, because I think the issue has turned out not to actually be one, so yeah.

Nah, there's no need unless it becomes spammy.

Yeah, that's it. Backwards compatibility used to be Windows's strong point, but it's getting a bit wishy-washy now, at least when it comes to old games…

That's it, the backwards compatibility is gone, yet Xbox has great backwards compatibility that grows by the day. I wonder why they do it with Xbox and not Windows though.

Perhaps because Windows is so much older and is therefore a much bigger pile of duct tape.

[Aaron]

Update (well, sort of): I do want these updates like I said because of security reasons and I know that they're actually really important and vital for your system, but can't I install the update and restart the computer later? Isn't there an option for that other than postponing? Because while I know they're important and all that, but what if I'm doing something (for example, playing a Flash game or something) where you will lose your data on your tab (whatever you're doing there) and as a result don't want to restart immediately? After I'm done with it?

Another update: Well, I'm gonna check it when it finds another important update because I might not remember correctly and you can actually restart whenever you want and do whatever you want with them from the list. By the way, I actually have the list of updates back now that I restarted!

[Hoodcom]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if memory serves, Microsoft said that there will be no OS after W10. I remember them saying that they will continuously work on updates for W10 from now on.

They did claim that, yes. However it's only a matter of time to see how true this becomes, especially with as much backlash Windows 10 has gotten compared to Windows 8 did.

Something like that makes me skeptical anyway, after all when you generally buy a computer or a license with/for Windows, you'd usually eventually be buying another license with a new computer or for upgrading a computer for a newer version of Windows. How exactly are they going to be able to keep this type of income flowing?

Many people wound up with Windows 10 "free" to begin with, during the forced upgrades and voluntary upgrades performed on Windows 7 and 8.1. Other than new computer builds, be it DIY or OEM obtaining new licenses, what the heck is to keep the user who got their "free" license from having it for 20 years with Windows 10?

Sure, Microsoft likely is making money off their users with these built-in advertisements and data mining tactics, but what direction will this lead in the future?


Let's bring Apple into the picture for a moment, you once had to pay for their operating system for some upgrades, but now days you don't. It comes with an Apple product and you get the updates for each new version. They don't have built-in advertisements within macOS nor iOS, and as far as I'm aware still there is nothing fishy like you get with Windows 10. Most of the time you truly end up with a stable operating system from them, despite paying a high premium for their hardware.

I don't much care for Apple with their methods, sure, but their OS is pretty solid in comparison. Plus a fully established app store as well.


Microsoft seems to manage to break things far too often with simple updates to Windows 10, and quite frequently. Especially with the more severe ones that's deleted many of their users' data.


So I'm definitely curious to what the future holds in terms of Microsoft, but I am definitely betting on linux to become more popular as support gets better. Especially from major software developers. I'm hoping with what Steam has been doing will help bring this to light even better.

Update (well, sort of): I do want these updates like I said because of security reasons and I know that they're actually really important and vital for your system, but can't I install the update and restart the computer later? Isn't there an option for that other than postponing? Because while I know they're important and all that, but what if I'm doing something (for example, playing a Flash game or something) where you will lose your data on your tab (whatever you're doing there) and as a result don't want to restart immediately? After I'm done with it?

Another update: Well, I'm gonna check it when it finds another important update because I might not remember correctly and you can actually restart whenever you want and do whatever you want with them from the list. By the way, I actually have the list of updates back now that I restarted!

Like I suggested earlier, just change the settings to tailor your needs better.

You can schedule a time to automatically update or let it download it and you install when you are ready for it.

[Aaron]

Yeah, I know about the time scheduling for updates thing, but I mean like without having to schedule a time. Also as I said, I'll see for myself later because I might not remember correctly.

Another thing, thanks Plum for not locking the thread just yet.