Windows 7 updates annoying issue... please read

aafusc2988

Honorable
Jan 8, 2015
345
0
10,810
Okay I have my updates set to let me know about them but I'll choose to install them myself. This has caused issues in the recent past where I didn't get some updates and then they would be stuck on the 0% never ending loop. This caused me to turn off updates completely, restart my machine, download the security packages (start with KB-) and manually install them. Then change the settings back.

Now I've finally got caught up on some updates this morning (January 2017 Quality Security Rollout something.. something.. ) and some other stuff... but now I'm trying to HIDE the updates I don't want:

-Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (sends telemetry data to MS and also removes stuff it might find malicious that might not be - I NEVER want to download this as I use Avast and Malwarebytes - I never get viruses)

-Silverlight - I DON'T NEED IT

-Skype - I DON'T NEED IT


So I started hiding the updates within the updater... but it just keeps finding the next update for that program or service down the line. So I keep having to hide Skype and Silverlight updates OVER AND OVER - and each month's version of the malicious removal tool. How can I just do a catch-all HIDE THESE FOREVER.

Also, there is one hidden that has an Important status.. it's a KB- one - do I get it now or since I'm up-to-date would this cause issues?
 
Windows 7 will not be updated for new features, so why look for updates at all.
Disable windows update; you get a nasty red message but will not lose out on any new functionality.
You will also avoid the daily scan for items that can be updated.

You should still be getting updates for your anti virus, even if you were susing defender.

And... you might look into spybot anti beacon to restrict tracking.
 

I disagree with this. Windows 7 is still supported until 2020. If you disable windows updates, you won't be getting needed security patches which will leave you vulnerable to virus infections via your web browser.
 

aafusc2988

Honorable
Jan 8, 2015
345
0
10,810


When I downloaded the updates for Silverlight and Skype it actually installed those programs onto my machine when I never previously had them. So then I uninstalled them from Add/Remove programs. But once you do this they still appear in optional updates which is annoying. EVEN IF they're not installed. Which they're not.

 

aafusc2988

Honorable
Jan 8, 2015
345
0
10,810
Also, should I download that old optional KB- file? It's the only one listed as Important that I've hidden. Is there a point if I'm caught up on those aside from that? Would it mess anything up to retroactively receive that update?
 

It looks like there are several different versions of Silverlight according to this article. So it may be that you are hiding the silverliight update, but another one is taking its place:
http://superuser.com/questions/435124/how-do-i-tell-windows-to-shut-up-about-silverlight
https://www.google.com/#q=unable+to+hide+silverlight+update
It looks like for skype, you can simply disable the service:
https://community.skype.com/t5/Windows-desktop-client/Total-Stop-Skype-update/td-p/1999473
Have you tried disabling malicious software removal tool?
http://www.ghacks.net/2016/10/20/disable-microsoft-windows-malicious-software-removal-tool-heartbeat-telemetry/