The usual situation that many people face after reinstalling Windows 7 or resetting a laptop with pre-installed seven to factory settings is the subsequent download and installation of all released Windows 7 updates, which can take a really long time, prevent turning off the computer when necessary and fray your nerves.
However, there is a way to download all updates (almost all) for Windows 7 once as one file and install them all at once within half an hour - Microsoft's Convenience Rollup Update for Windows 7 SP1. How to use this feature - step by step in this manual.
Preparing for installation
Before proceeding directly to installing all updates, go to the "Start" menu, right-click on "Computer" and select "Properties" in the context menu.
Make sure you have Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed. If not, you need to install it separately. Also pay attention to the bitness of your system: 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64).
If SP1 is installed, then go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3020369 and download the April 2015 Servicing Stack Update for Windows 7 and Windows Sever 2008 R2 from there.
After installing the servicing stack update, you can proceed to install all Windows 7 updates at once.
Download and install Windows 7 Convenience Rollup Update
The Windows 7 Convenience Rollup is available for download from the Microsoft Update Catalog site as KB3125574: http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=3125574
It should be borne in mind here that you can open this page in a working form only in Internet Explorer (moreover, the latest versions, that is, if you open it in IE preinstalled in Windows 7, you will first be prompted to update the browser, and then enable the add-on to work with the update catalog).
In case, for some reason, downloading from the update catalog is difficult, below are direct download links (in theory, the addresses may change - if it suddenly stops working, please let me know in the comments):
After downloading the update (represents one single file of the standalone update installer), run it and just wait for the installation to complete (depending on the performance of the computer, the process may take different times, but in any case it is much less than downloading and installing updates one at a time).
In the end, it remains only to restart the computer and wait for the settings for updates to turn off and on, which also does not take too long.
Note: this method installs Windows 7 updates released before mid-May 2016 (here it is worth noting that not quite all - some of the updates, the list is on the page https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3125574 , Microsoft for some reason did not include it in the package) - subsequent updates will still be downloaded through the Update Center.
Experienced users know that not all operating systems are fully debugged by the time they are released and do not have so-called “holes”. That is why, over time, developers release add-ons and service packs for their products, which should fix all the errors found over time and make life easier for users. This article will tell you how to update Windows - one of the most popular operating systems in the world - to the latest, and, therefore, the most advanced version.
Depending on the version of the operating system, a certain number of updates released by developers are installed on it. For example, the still widely used Windows XP received three official service packs, while its predecessor, Windows 2000, received four. As a rule, after the release of a new version of the operating system, Microsoft developers offer users to update Windows automatically or manually. For novice users and those who are not too computer savvy, experts recommend that this procedure be carried out automatically. But it should be remembered that this is only available if the PC is connected to the Internet.
On the official website, the latest service packs remain available for download by users even after the release of new operating systems. For example, you can download and install the latest updates for Windows XP on the Microsoft website, despite the fact that after this operating system, the company has already presented operating systems called Windows Vista and Windows 7, and very soon the launch of a very fresh Windows 8 is being prepared. The methods for installing the latest service pack for the still popular Windows XP are described in detail not only on the official website, but also on many other resources on the net. That is why updating Windows is quite simple. You can do this in one of the following ways:
· Update Windows using automatic download from the official website. By turning it on (you can do this from the control panel), you don’t have to worry about the future fate of the installed operating system - the OS itself will contact the official website via an Internet connection and check for new versions of the software. All that is required in this case from the user is to ensure that the computer is connected to the network.
· Manual installation. If the computer is not connected to the Internet, then you can install the latest update for Windows XP yourself. To do this, the user needs to download a software package called Service Pack 3 from the official website (this can also be done from a number of other sources, but there is no guarantee that such an update will be licensed), copy all its files to the hard drive of your PC and run the installation file (it is called Setup.exe). Before installing, you should make sure that the version of the operating system includes the two previous service packs, so Windows up to the latest version is only possible on previous updates. It should also be borne in mind that this service pack is not available for the 64-bit version of the "piggy" beloved by many users (this is the nickname Windows XP received among the people). "Sixty-four bits" will work only with the second service pack until at least April 2014, the developers assure.
If your computer was purchased relatively recently, you should consider upgrading to the seventh version of Windows, as many software developers no longer release versions of their products for Windows XP and are completely focused on releasing software for Windows 7.
To check if your operating system has been updated to the latest version, you need to go to the "Properties" of the computer and pay attention to the "System" section. If it already contains the postscript "Service Pack 3", then the OS has already been updated, and you have nothing to worry about.
Hello admin! I want to update my laptop Windows 7 Home Basic to Windows 7 Maximum (Ultimate). How can this be done without a complete reinstallation of the operating system?The home base seven was installed on my laptop from the store and it is quite flawed in terms of what it does not haveAero Peek, BitLocker, and much more, I can't even change the wallpaper on it. I tried to update myself, but I got an error"To upgrade from an edition of Windows 7 to another edition of Windows 7, use the Windows Anytime Upgrade program." What is "Windows Anytime Upgrade" and where can I get it?
Hello friends! Our reader is right and Windows 7 Home Basic does not contain quite a lot of features (network, mobile, enterprise, etc.), which may well be needed by experienced users or professional system administrators, but whether they are useful to an ordinary user, let everyone decide for himself. In today's article, I'll show you how to upgrade your computer to Windows 7 Home Basic without completely reinstalling the operating system. up to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate (Ultimate) , it is very easy to do, but you must have Win 7 PRO license keys and Ultimate , if you do not have them, then I will give mine, once I bought a professional and maximum version of the seven, these keys are only suitable for updating and will give you the opportunity to work in the system without activation for 30 days. I think in 30 days you will activate the OS. After the update, all your installed programs will work, and personal files will remain in place.Before work, I advise you to make a backup copy of the OS.
So, we have a laptop with Windows 7 Home Basic installed.
Download on the official Microsoft website "Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor" (Windows7UpgradeAdvisorSetup)
if the site is unavailable, then download "Windows Anytime Upgrade" on my cloud storage.
We launch the Advisor.
After installation, open the Start menu and select "Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor", which will diagnose our OS to see if we can upgrade to the next version.
"Start Check"
The result of the check says that an upgrade is available to us installed on our PC from Windows 7 Home Basic to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate.
Now run "Windows Anytime Upgrade".
Click "Enter upgrade key"
Here you must enter the license key for Windows 7 Professional. If you don't have it, then take mine (VTDC3-WM7HP-XMPMX-K4YQ2-WYGJ8), it will do for the upgrade.
The license key is being verified.
We accept the terms of the license.
"Update"
The process of updating the system to the PRO version begins.
Update completed successfully!
Upgrading Windows 7 Professional to Windows 7 Ultimate (Ultimate)
And now our OS can be upgraded to the Maximum version.
Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor again
"Start Check"
The EA doesn't mind if we upgrade to the Maximum OS version.
Run "Windows Anytime Upgrade".
Click "Enter upgrade key".
You must enter the license key for Windows 7 Ultimate. If you do not have it, then use the key (FJGCP-4DFJD-GJY49-VJBQ7-HYRR2).
The license key is being verified.
We accept the terms of the license.
"Update"
The process of upgrading the system to the Ultimate version begins.
As a result, we have on our PC Windows 7 Ultimate.
Instruction
The Windows operating system is not sufficiently reliable in terms of security, new vulnerabilities are discovered in it almost every week. As soon as information about a vulnerability becomes available to the hacker community, the number of computers infected with viruses or hacked begins to grow very rapidly - as long as Microsoft employees do not release an update that closes the discovered gap. That is why it is important to configure the operating system to automatically update - in this case, the elimination of vulnerabilities will occur most quickly.
To enable automatic updates in OS Windows XP, open: "Start - Control Panel - Automatic Updates". In the window that opens, select the "Automatic" option.
If you are using the Windows 7 operating system, open: "Start - Control Panel - Windows Update". Select "Settings" from the menu on the left and set the required options.
Remember that automatic updating will only work without problems on a licensed version of Windows. In the event that you are using a pirated version, an attempt to update the system may result in the update being installed, and a message will appear on the desktop stating that you have an unlicensed version of the operating system installed.
If you have to use a pirated version of Windows 7, update the system manually. Review the list of updates prepared for installation - if it contains update KB971033, cancel the installation of this file. It is he who checks the license key of the operating system. Install all other update files and replace your OS with a licensed version as soon as possible, this will save you a lot of problems and hassle.
You can update Windows using separately downloaded update packages, they can be found on the Internet. Such packages can be installed automatically or manually. Be careful not to download update packages from unverified sites - very often such packages contain Trojans.
If you have an old version of the OS - for example, Windows XP SP2, update it by installing the Windows XP SP3 operating system on top of the old one. The process of such an update is very simple: turn on the computer, wait until the operating system loads. Insert the installation disc into the drive, select Install Windows from the menu. In the window that appears, select the option "Update (recommended)". During the installation process, you will be asked to enter the installation key. When installing in update mode, all your programs and system settings will be saved.
According to Microsoft, the last opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 for free was on 07/29/2016. But this does not mean that it is impossible to obtain "tens" by a legal method (not by downloading copyright distributions in the form of assemblies with an activated version of the OS).
If you didn’t decide to upgrade to ten in a year and still use the classic “seven” or Windows 8.1, do not be discouraged that even for the home version of the operating system you will have to pay up to ten thousand rubles, and corporate and professional - this is another plus a few thousand. Entrepreneurial users have found a loophole that allows them to get Windows 10 without violating current legislation.
Before deciding to upgrade to Windows for free, you need to know exactly what you are changing to what. On the one hand, innovation, constant support and improvement of the OS is good. Imagine that a new version of a daily editor, modeling or editing program has been released for Windows 8-10, or a game that has just appeared on the network requires DirectX 12, and your device is running Windows 7 (only ten supports DirectX 12).
But many compatibility issues with drivers and older applications have not been resolved. Yes, and the installation of the updates themselves on the "top ten" often ends up looking for methods to solve the problem that arose during the update.
Despite the termination of support for the free upgrade to Windows 10, during its clean installation, the key to Windows 7–8 is still valid, allowing them to acquire licensed Windows 10 themselves. But the method may stop working tomorrow, so you should not rely on it.
How to get a "ten" for free for people with disabilities
Shortly after the end of support for a free upgrade to a new operating system, Microsoft reported that people who need tools called "Accessibility" (which includes, for example, a screen magnifier and a virtual keyboard) can get Windows 10 for free and at any time. time.
The program is unlimited and, in theory, is designed for users who use special devices that help work on a computer. Before clicking on the "Update Now" icon, it is recommended to check the compatibility of your equipment with the "top ten".
The most interesting thing at this point is the absence of any checks on the actual presence of restrictions on the user or the use of special technologies by him.
After clicking on the button to immediately start the update, the download of an exe file called the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant will begin. It is located at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 .
For its implementation and the subsequent upgrade of the system, you must have a license installed on a Windows 7/8 PC.
The downloaded version of the "tens" will be "normal", and even the accessibility function in it after installation is not activated and is turned on manually if necessary.
For people who upgraded to "tens" during the free installation support of the new operating system (until 07/29/2016), but removed it, you can install dozens from scratch. At the same time, under the form of request for entering a license key, you must answer "I do not have a key." After the first launch, in the case of an active Internet connection, the system will automatically activate using a unique code generated based on the hardware component of the computer.
How to get Windows 10 without paying for a license key
The method given here does not always work after the closure of the program for free receipt of "tens", but it is definitely worth trying, because there are no other opportunities to take advantage of the new OS without violating the law. Its meaning is as follows: before the completion of the project for free distribution of "dozens" (until 07/29/2016), it was necessary to install Windows 10, and then roll back the system to the previous OS ("seven" or "eight"). The main thing is that at this stage the activation of the operating system occurs. In this case, the license key will be assigned to the current hardware of your computer and will be valid for an unlimited time.
By assigning a license key to your own computer, you can perform a clean installation of Windows 10 without a key, prompting the installer to activate it the first time you connect to the global network.
Since there is no information on the Internet about the expiration date of the license obtained in this way, one should rely on the integrity of the Microsoft management, considering the validity of the key to be unlimited. And it will be relevant for any edition of the “tens” even after the end of the free update period.
Keep in mind that these recommendations are only valid until July 29, 2016. After this date, there may be issues with the upgrade option shown. And given the fact that rolling back to Windows 7/8 is far from always successful, resorting to this option to get Windows 10 should be the last thing.
Useful information
Due to the fact that restoring (rolling back) "dozens" to the previous version very often does not complete properly, before trying to get an update, you should definitely back up Windows 10 - create a complete archive of the operating system. More preferred among users is the method of creating a complete image of the system partition, for example, using True Image from Acronis. This option will allow you to quickly restore the system in case of any problems during its update.
And in situations where there is no system image or its backup, you can always reinstall the operating system using bootable media with its distribution. Often users forget about the possibility of exploiting a latent resume image if it exists.
