We have a new "magic" patch that cuts Windows 7 updates scans from hours to minutes Credit: Thinkstock Do you still have problems with the Windows 7 check for updates taking hours and hours? It’s the same problem I’ve been talking about since April, but this month, we have a different solution. I can hear the sigh of relief from here. The “magic” patch this month is KB 3185911, otherwise known as MS16-106. It’s yet another security patch for the Windows Graphics component. If you install KB 3185911 first, then scan for updates, the scan will miraculously decrease from many hours to a few short minutes. In the past, a blogger known as Dalai has updated the information on his website, wu.krelay.de/en, to fill us all in on the latest magic patch. Unfortunately, at the moment, I can’t get that site to appear. It’s quite likely that the site’s become so popular that it’s inaccessible, or Dalai has pulled it offline. If you want to install that patch alone, see the two-step method I posted last month (you only have to do Step 2 this month), and substitute KB 3185911 in Step 2. Make sure you follow the instructions and turn off the Windows Update service at the right time. Poster Canadian Tech, both on AskWoody.com and on the Microsoft Answers forum, has presented a simple, permanent solution to the problem (at least until Microsoft changes everything in October). He suggests that you install KB 3020369, then KB 3172605. (Canadian Tech gives credit to TrashZone, ElderN, and VolumeZ for their contributions.) I had a problem with that approach several months ago. KB 3020369 was triggering “Stage 3 of 3” reboot hangs and KB 3172605 had many bugs. Now it looks like Microsoft has fixed those problems — in particular the Intel Wi-Fi bug has been fixed. So you can pick your poison and either install the one key patch that makes it work, or go ahead with the more-recent changes demonstrated by Canadian Tech. Poster ch100 on AskWoody recommends: For new machines, use Canadian Tech’s approach as it is enough to get WU started. For established machines missing patches, use Dalai’s approach as it has extra updates which are useful for the slow WU issue. A lot of the issues are related to Windows Update Agent 7.6.7600.320 which is pushed automatically if there is no superseding (later) Windows Update Agent installed. Currently the best Windows Update agents come with KB3138612 or KB3172605 and one of them needs to be installed first thing. Eventually both will be installed as part of WU, as while they overlap in some parts, they do not supersede each other. Either way you’ll save many hours in your pursuit of Windows 7 patches. Related content opinion On a personal note... Woody Leonhard looks back a bit, looks ahead to retirement — and shares good news about who's picking up the Windows patching torch. By Woody Leonhard Nov 09, 2020 3 mins Small and Medium Business Computers Windows news analysis Get Microsoft's October patches installed — and seriously consider Win10 2004 Odd ancillary patches have their problems, but the mainstream October patches look pretty reliable. The big question: Is Win10 version 2004 up to your stability standards. I’m skeptical -- especially because it has few worthwhile improvements. By Woody Leonhard Oct 30, 2020 6 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Computers news analysis Microsoft Patch Alert: October 2020 The big news with this month’s patches – aside from the usual smorgasbord of strange errors – has more to do with the patches that are outside the regular cumulative update stream. Remarkably, we didn’t get any security fixes By Woody Leonhard Oct 22, 2020 189 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Office Microsoft news analysis With Patch Tuesday here, be sure Windows Update is paused With all the flotsam floating around, it’s easy to lose sight of Second Tuesdays. October’s arrives tomorrow and, with it, another round of Windows and Office patches. Take a minute to make sure you aren’t in the front lines, as eve By Woody Leonhard Oct 12, 2020 5 mins Small and Medium Business Microsoft Windows Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe