Have you ever been annoyed by the constant reminders of Windows updates, or even worse, have you ever updated your computer only to find out that something has gone terribly wrong? If you’re running Windows 7, you might be in luck. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to hide Windows updates in three different ways so that you can have more control over your computer and avoid unnecessary installation of updates.
Whether it’s because you prefer to wait and see how others fare with the updates before installing them yourself or simply because you don’t want your computer to be interrupted, hiding Windows updates is an important process to learn. By using one of the methods below, you can ensure that you only install the updates that are important to you and your computer.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Hide Windows Updates on Windows 7
There are a number of reasons why you might want to hide Windows updates on your Windows 7 computer. Firstly, some updates may be unnecessary or irrelevant to you and your computer, while others may cause issues or incompatibilities with your installed software or hardware. Secondly, Windows updates can often be time-consuming and interrupt your work or gaming sessions. Lastly, some users may want to wait until others have installed the updates to avoid any potential issues that may arise from them or prefer to hold off on updates until they are absolutely necessary.
Method 1: Using System Properties
One of the easiest ways to hide Windows updates on Windows 7 is to use System Properties. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Start menu and search for "System Properties".
2. Click on "View installed updates" under the "Windows Update" section.
3. Find the update you want to hide and select it by clicking on it.
4. Click on the "Uninstall" button at the top of the list.
5. After the update has been uninstalled, find it in the list again and right-click on it.
6. Click on "Hide update" in the context menu.
7. A confirmation message will appear, click "Yes" to confirm.
Pros:
– Easy and straightforward
– Can be done directly from the Windows interface
Cons:
– Cannot undo the action if you change your mind later
– You need to remember the update name to find it
Method 2: Using Windows Update Blocker
Another way to hide Windows updates on Windows 7 is to use a third-party tool called Windows Update Blocker. This tool allows you to disable Windows updates altogether or select which updates you want to hide. Follow the steps below to use this method:
1. Download and install Windows Update Blocker from the official website.
2. Open the program and select "Enable Service" to enable the blocker.
3. Go to the "Custom" tab and select the updates you want to hide.
4. Click on "Apply now" to save the changes.
Pros:
– More flexible as you can choose to hide multiple updates or disable Windows Update altogether
– Easy to use interface
Cons:
– Requires a third-party tool
– Some users may not feel comfortable downloading a program from an unofficial source
Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor
If you’re running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate edition, you can use the Group Policy Editor to hide Windows updates. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command box.
2. Type "gpedit.msc" and press enter.
3. In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Windows Update".
4. Double-click on "Configure Automatic Updates" in the right pane.
5. Select "Enabled" and choose "2 – Notify for download and notify for install" in the drop-down menu.
6. Select "OK" to save the changes.
Pros:
– Comes built-in with Windows
– Provides more control over Windows Update
– Can be used in enterprise environments to control Windows updates across multiple computers
Cons:
– Requires specific editions of Windows 7
– May require administrative privileges
What to Do If You Can’t Hide Windows Updates on Windows 7
If you’re having trouble hiding Windows updates on your Windows 7 computer, there are a few things you can try:
1. Run Windows Update troubleshooter: Go to "Control Panel" > "Troubleshooting" > "Fix problems with Windows Update".
2. Reset Windows Update components: Open Command Prompt (Admin) and run the following commands: "net stop wuauserv", "net stop cryptSvc", "net stop bits", "net stop msiserver", "ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old", "ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old", "net start wuauserv", "net start cryptSvc", "net start bits", "net start msiserver".
3. Contact Microsoft support: If none of the above work, contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
Bonus Tip
If you’re worried about accidentally installing unwanted Windows updates, you can set your Windows 7 computer to notify you before downloading or installing updates. Here’s how:
1. Go to "Control Panel" > "Windows Update".
2. Click on "Change settings" in the left pane.
3. Choose "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them".
4. Select "OK" to save the changes.
5 FAQs about Hiding Windows Updates on Windows 7
Q1: How can I undo hiding a Windows update?
A: To undo the hiding of a Windows update, simply go back to the "View installed updates" screen in System Properties, right-click on the hidden update, and select "Show update".
Q2: Can I still manually install hidden Windows updates?
A: Yes, you can still manually download and install hidden Windows updates if you want to.
Q3: Can I block all Windows updates using one of the methods above?
A: Yes, you can block all Windows updates using the Windows Update Blocker method, but it’s not recommended as it leaves your computer vulnerable to security issues.
Q4: Will hiding a Windows update affect my computer’s performance?
A: No, hiding Windows updates will not affect your computer’s performance in any way.
Q5: Can I use these methods on Windows 10 or other versions of Windows?
A: No, these methods are specific to Windows 7 and may not work on other versions of Windows.
Final Thoughts
Hiding Windows updates on your Windows 7 computer can help you avoid unnecessary updates or potential issues with your PC. By using any of the methods outlined above, you can have more control over your computer and the updates it receives. Remember, it’s important to keep your computer up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates, so choose what you hide carefully.