A Survival Guide to Windows Update

Windows Update is one of the worst things about Windows. What's the best way to deal with its problems? Here's my game plan to survive Patch Tuesday, but you could just use automatic updates...
Website: trafotin.com
Donate:
✨ Patreon: / trafotin
▶️ KZbin Membership: / @trafotin
Links:
▶️ KZbin: / @trafotin
📒 Odysee: odysee.com/@Trafotin:4?r=H3rc...
🦑 Peertube: spectra.video/c/trafotin
🐘 Mastodon: vt.social/@trafotin
𝕏 (Formerly Twitter): / trafotin
📁 Gitlab: gitlab.com/trafotin
🪙 Crypto:
XMR: 84ZpcYxjfkT7uFGXgmi2jH2wyhUBMx8hGBJ3sAp478rKSShMAJHR3DhVVPSwCAskReRBPifzpA5Vu7HPpzAxHUux3SFS4bh
🎵BGM: [フリーBGM DOVA-SYNDROME / FREE BGM DOVA-SYNDROME]
dova-s.jp/
👋 Outro: Khaim - Neon Lamp
khaimmusic.com
👇 Sauce:
trafotin.com/v/windows-update/
Chapters:
0:00 Patch Tuesday
3:16 After First Install
5:25 Make a Game Plan
11:45 Annual Windows Releases
15:52 Outro

[@ymaysernameuay1113]

Just don't use Windows! Simple.

[@vovagusse]

Nope. Not easy at all.

[@vovagusse]

@@dreaper5813 very easy to use all of those windows exclusive programs, yeah, sure.

[@vovagusse]

@@dreaper5813 i cannot choose to be conditioned, because there is no choice ffs

[@vovagusse]

@@dreaper5813 okay nerd what's your solution

[@Trafotin]

Some people are stuck. I use Windows 11 at work because we have some niche database programs only on Windows.

[@tato-chip7612]

You know what's very interesting. Rarely should programs under windows touch the stuff under C:\Windows . Microsoft could add some file system features on ntfs and make an update system that partially mimics one from an immutable OS like Silverblue.

[@Trafotin]

Windows 11 does this, but Microsoft doesn't mention it in documentation, it's on the Microsoft Tech Community blog. What happens is after the update is downloaded and verified, Windows Update will keep the older files and run internal checks to make sure they are still launching without errors. If the checks pass, it then pushes those updates out through the traditional Windows reboot. This is exclusive to 11, but this doesn't mean there aren't breakages on 11. It's more similar to a neutered NixOS than Silverblue.

[@JessicaFEREM]

as much as chris titus isn't my favorite person in the world, their windows script is pretty decent at activating differed updates. my system has been very chillax at not begging me for updates or nagging me away from my work since I started using that script. it has come up a few times, but broken features and general instability seems to improve the less you update your system, within reason, and differing updates seems to update less often, since you're more likely to only get finished patches rather than buggy beta testing. the script usually differs updates to 1 month for security and 2 years for feature updates. instead of just not showing updates like differing sometimes did before on 10, it shows up as an optional update you can choose to install if you need a feature from a new cumulative update. I still make it a habit of turning off my computer when going to sleep for the night, that way any crust left behind is cleared for the new day. if you can't do once a day, then reboot at least once a week.

[@JessicaFEREM]

of course if the update is very important, they will break the rules and do an immediate update, but 1 month for low to medium security hasn't bitten me yet.

[@JessicaFEREM]

@@dreaper5813for all the shit I give windows I still prefer it to linux and the incompatible programs make it impossible for me to go without it

[@Trafotin]

There are programs like InControl (made by Steve Gibson, make of that what you will) that disable all feature updates, but still auto-install security updates. I'm a grump who hates features, but in my experience, most people (even techies) will not turn their machines off at night. Those who are forced to use Windows need to learn Windows Update and reading the patch notes; it's sink or swim.

[@sebastiangonzales46]

What font style are you using on your videos?

[@Patient_Zero01]

Haven't had a windows 7 update in years. The perfect OS

[@dumbfloppa]

@r5813 1st Steam still runs on windows 7 but doesnt support it and people will get it running again after it stops running. 2nd There are many chromium and firefox forks that allow you to run the latest versions of firefox and chromium on windows 7 some even down to windows xp sp2! 3rd Who in the world buys new hardware when old thinkpads exist and pack a lot of power for every day use exept if you are gaming and if you wanna game you shouldnt be using windows since everybody knows linux is the future of gaming.

[@chunkym8857]

⁠@@dreaper5813Yeah and what? Why would you need that crap anyways? Its like you only use your pc to play games or something.

[@Trafotin]

A Windows 7 stan after 2020. 💀 If you won't upgrade to Windows 11, at least use Linux.

[@dumbfloppa]

@@Trafotin Windows 11 sucks and linux sucks on old hardware and windows 7 doesn't

[@oscs4556]

You also need to disable fast startup or boot as it sometimes interfered windows updates

[@NabiYote]

I've had to use windows for vr for a long time, still kinda do depending on what I had to eat that morning, ALVR is just not ready for general use, it's getting better but people who think is a suitable replacement for Quest Link, SteamLink (valve please) are more deranged than me, is usable sure but anything that requires any precision timing or specialized addons... no, just setup that stupid vm and pass through, make it auto update and don't touch it after that, some stuff is easier with chocolatey but hell vr is already hobby that requires a lot of intent and waiting for updates is the last thing you want in-between your block slicing and you is even more preparation

[@Omonarc]

Not gonna lie, lost me after having to go to both the System Update page and the Store page. Can't believe I put up with that for 20 years of my life.

[@Trafotin]

It's actually impossible you put up with this for 20 years. I concede on the updating, but the Microsoft Store didn't exist until Windows 8. Of course, Sinofsky was foundational to the locking down of Windows, the introduction of the Store, and the introduction of privacy invasions and ads. I admit I went straight from 98 to XP and was really bad at installing those service packs until XP made it more accessible. I'm also one of the people who resisted Windows 8 and 8.1 because 7 was still getting updated. I basically deleted Windows in my personal life in 2016.

[@Omonarc]

@@TrafotinApologies for misspeaking; you're right that the "Store" has only been around for a decade-ish, I think I was referring to the weird disjointedness on the entire Windows software experience. Need a driver? Go to this random page! Need some software? Go to the store (or some random web page!)

[@davey820051]

sudo apt update && upgrade (at a time of my choosing)

[@WolfiiDog13]

When I had Windows on my laptop, I usually just accepted it, and let MS do whatever. No time for fighting against the update system. The only thing I used to do on my system was remove OneDrive, and fix my user folder, since that was the worst thing ever and after uninstalled, it usually left the user folder all messed up

[@ArthropodSpidey]

I survived Windows by switching to macOS. Best decision I've ever made.

[@stefanalecu9532]

@@dreaper5813 have fun on Linux, I'm having fun on it too, but most people want something that just works and macOS is more stable* than Windows. * = as long as Apple doesn't just deprecate your hardware and can handle said updates, which isn't easy

[@Trafotin]

If you don't play video games or use business software, can't say I blame you...

[@WingDings_666]

I mean Windows broke my entire microphone and audio stack and I could never really truly fix it ever again after an automatic update with Windows 11 due to a permanent outdated driver. So I just ended up saying screw this and going back to Linux after that because I just can't stand shit breaking like that. I did get recommended to disable updates by friends but decided not to as-well because Windows is just built like trash and at that rate I couldn't stand it anymore and I just wasn't willing to do that sort of thing with taking time out of my day breaking the functionality of my operating system alongside removing other things from it. I may as-well go back to using Linux where everything just works.

[@stefanalecu9532]

​@@dreaper5813 OP literally said "I may as-well go back to using Linux where everything just works." so OP is not making excuses

[@AdrianTechWizard]

I have not updated my PC since 2019, keeping firefox up-to-date has worked for me so far...

[@AdrianTechWizard]

@@dreaper5813 Yeah, I tried a few years ago but couldn't get some software that I need for work going. That's why I was really excited by ReactOS but I don't think that will be ready this decade...

[@AdrianTechWizard]

@@dreaper5813 Yeah, I always try to use free and open source apps anyway. Cross-platform is even better. Hopefully I will be able to have a powerful enough machine in the future to run a VM of windows for work stuff.

[@Trafotin]

💀

[@danrungg]

i am always updating my windows immediately and i never had a problem, maybe i dont use exotic hardware

[@Trafotin]

Generally most people are fine. I think most issues are overblown, but I usually wait it out a week because I still have paranoia from the XP and 98 days.

[@JCO2002]

Here's the best survival guide to Windows - put in a live stick of Linux Mint and do erase disk and install. Back-up your files first - you'll be reformatting it.