How to update a fresh Windows 7+SP1 install in 2024
Mostly taken from http://www.freenode-windows.org/resources/vista-7/windows-update (archived)
Windows 7 Ultimate (SP1) SHA1 hash: 36ae90defbad9d9539e649b193ae573b77a71c83
1. Download rollup updates
First, manually download (but don’t install) these updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog:
2. Disable Windows Update
- Disable the internet connection
- Disable the Windows Update service (
stop-service wuauserv
in admin PowerShell) - Remove cached update files (
remove-item C:\windows\softwaredistribution\WuRedir
in admin PowerShell)
3. Install rollup updates
- Install KB3020369
- Install KB3172605 and reboot
- Install KB3125574 and reboot
3. Updating via Windows Update
Reconnect to the internet and launch the standard Windows Update program.
Next, begin the vicious cycle of updating and rebooting. Some updates will repeatedly fail, but you should be able to get everything up to date with enough attempts.