Updates are as old as computers themselves. Often there are improvements or additional features that are provided by updates. Security holes are stuffed, incompatibilities and errors are eliminated. In short, without any updates, any PC connected to the Internet would be a fast victim for viruses and spyware tools and also anything but reliable. Most updates are currently running independently. Windows regularly checks the configuration, “times” from time to time to the control center and downloads the necessary updates completely automatically. The installation takes place at the push of a button, usually a restart is also due. After that the computer is ready again to take it with the dangers of the Internet.
Trouble with Windows updates
However, updates do not always run so smoothly and error-free. In fact, it is not uncommon to make mistakes during the download or during the subsequent installation - and this often has devastating consequences. Maybe you have experienced one or the other error after an update already
Remove updates again
Windows remains stuck in the start holes, the smartphone spins, the still best working program strikes or forgets the settings and supposedly current drivers cause crash by crash. An update can bring not only improvements, but the absolute opposite. We will tell you on the next pages how to protect your system from dangerous updates and what you can do in an emergency to make your computer work again.
Software perfect update
Although Windows updates are comparatively rare, you should regularly back up your system for security reasons. This not only prevents you from updating problems, but also many other problems that could compromise your operating system. Typically, you mount the system backup to an external disk, such as a USB hard drive. You can do this by choosing "System Control / Backup" and "Restore" and the command "Create System Image" in the left margin column. The disk to which the system image is stored must be NTFS-formatted and have enough capacity to accommodate the full-size system image. If you select a DVD burner as the location, you will need to have more than one disc.
Automatic updates fail
In the next step, create a boot CD or DVD for the absolute emergency using the "Create System Repair Disk" command on the left. This is given if, for example, the operating system does not start any more after a faulty update. After a start via the rescue disk, you can then also play back a previously created system image.
A Windows update aborts
Unlike so many updates of software producers, operating system updates are always carefully checked and relatively unproblematic. However, no system is like the other. Different hardware, different driver versions and countless software variants allow an infinite number of variations, so it can also happen with official Windows updates that new and possibly much more unpleasant problems arise instead of removing the existing ones. However, you can easily remove failed or disruptive Windows updates.
To do this, go to "All Programs / Windows Updates" and then "Install Updates" in the lower left corner. You will see a complete list of all Windows updates, and you can select the update that will give you trouble. Typically, this is one of the last installed updates. Just mark the update to be uninstalled and click "Uninstall" at the top. This removes the "pest", in which case the computer is then restarted. However, the next manual or automatic Windows update is problematic, because of course the newly installed, incorrect update is reinstalled. To prevent this, you must notify Windows Update that a particular update should no longer be installed. To do this, start the update function via "All Programs / Windows Updates" as described above, and click "Check for Updates". Now Windows may find some updates - but definitely the previously uninstalled
Now go to the menu item "Show available updates" in the left column and mark with the right mouse button the update you had previously removed. Select the "Hide Update" command in the context menu, which means that the unintentional update will only be displayed in gray and will no longer be actively offered for installation. If you want to undo this step, click the "Show hidden updates" button on the left, and restore the deleted updates.
A useful starting point for solving update problems is Microsoft's Fix-it page. Here you can select the problem area and quickly get a solution, which usually works at the touch of a button!
Avira is one of the most widely used antivirus programs. In May this year, the company released a flawed update of its paid version. Within a very short time, the update was installed on thousands of computers.
However, Avira's update was too good, the software not only stopped malicious programs, but also harmless, system-relevant processes. Affected computers could not be started. How can you start the computer with problems like this? Finally, the update can not be uninstalled if you can not start Windows. The solution to many problems of this type is the secure mode.
Start your PC and press F5 during system startup. In the menu, select "Safe Mode". The Windows start-up takes longer, but Windows starts reliably. After login, you can uninstall the malicious program or configure it to run again and start Windows normally. In the case of Avira, it was necessary to switch off the "Proactiv real-time scanner" in the program settings.
When drivers make zips
ITunes is regularly updated with updates. These provide for new functions or eliminate errors. Unfortunately, the automatic update from the program often fails. No matter how often you try it, the update breaks off. The alternative path to the update leads to the Apple website. From there, the current iTunes update can be downloaded and saved on the hard disk. Clicking on this file, and suddenly the installation works! You should also try this tip with other programs that can not be updated via a possibly integrated update.
If urgent updates are not carried out and canceled during the installation, this is often due to the security settings of the computer. Then run critical updates as an administrator. To do this, right-click on the update file downloaded from the secure source and select the menu option "Run as administrator"
A driver makes trouble
You must confirm the selection and in some cases enter the appropriate administrator password. Some updates fail because the program to update is running in the background. It must be terminated before the update can be installed. To do this, simply press the key combination "Ctrl + Alt + Del" to go to the Task Manager and select the "Processes" tab. Select the entry of the program you want to terminate and click on "End Process". Leave the Taskmanager and try to install the update again.
Every PC user should know the problem. A hardware driver is installed, and nothing is more like it used to be. The system freezes, responds with a Bluescreen, or it does not recognize the new hardware. This or similar was not uncommon in older versions of Windows. With Windows 7 is much much better. Drivers for standard components are integrated and the database is constantly updated in the background and fed with new driver versions, mouse, keyboard or graphics cards always work perfectly and fully automatically.
However, it is different for components that are not part of the basic Windows 7, because they are either completely new or quite old. Especially older hardware is often not recognized correctly by Windows 7 due to lack of existing drivers. If you install from frustration or in a hint of adventures the actually inappropriate driver of an older Windows version, this can even shake the basic Windows 7. Better, you do not install an older version in the compatibility mode, but first check, if there is not perhaps "right" Windows 7 drivers for the hardware in question. In this case, the path should first lead to the manufacturer's website, as the driver may have provided the driver to download.
Remove driver
Mobile updates without remorse
Move risky updates
Error with mobile software
If your system has problems after installing a driver, you should return to the previous state. To do this, go to the device manager via "Start / System Control" and right-click on the device whose driver you want to remove. Go to the "Driver" tab and click the "Previous driver" menu item. Now the old driver should be restored and the installed driver removed.
Sometimes, however, you will not be sure which driver is actually the culprit and is actually preparing the problems. To identify a faulty driver, Microsoft has developed the driver verification manager. To start the tool, type "verifier" in the input prompt and select the program of the same name from the list. Now select the menu items "Create user defined settings / Activate predefined settings" with checkmarks for "Standard settings" and "Simulating low resources", respectively, by clicking on "Next". The next two pages with various parameters as well as the driver selection remain unchanged. The driver information is then loaded. If no unsigned drivers are found, extend the diagnosis to other driver versions. This is a reboot.
The analysis of found errors can be interpreted using Microsoft
Many system problems are caused by drivers that are not correctly removed by devices that are no longer installed on your computer at all. To remove these drivers, go to "System Control / System and Security / System" on the left to "Advanced System Settings" and in the following window "Environment Variables". Click on "New", enter the name devmgr_show_non present_devices and value 1. Confirm with "OK". In the device manager, select "View" and "Show hidden devices" in the "View" menu. Devices that are no longer present are now displayed. By right-clicking on the device, you can uninstall it and its drivers.
Actually, updates should correct errors - but sometimes they do the opposite and cause errors where there were not before. This is the case with the Medion Lifetab P9516 and P9514 tablets. Crashing applications and regular freezing after installing an update were still the more harmless effects. With some users, the tablet could not be started any more after the update, with others the device switched off again and again.
A reset and even the last salvation, the Werkreset, remained unsuccessful. A softreset over an ideally existing reset button should still be the first problem-solving attempt, a factory reset (manual in the device manual or on the manufacturer's homepage) the already quite drastic second. In this case, all programs have to be reinstalled and the settings have to be reset.
Waiting and drinking tea
Worksreset as last resort
The example of Lifetab shows that even official updates are sometimes flawed. If the device can not be started afterwards and even the work rest does not help, then good advice is expensive. In fact, the user then has no other option but to hope for a response from the manufacturer and install a repaired update, if that is still possible at all. If this is not the case, the device must be sent in for repair. How can disasters of this nature be avoided?
Systemupdates are not automatically installed in the normal case, but require the express consent of the user. Of course, it is tempting to install updates immediately upon receipt. Nevertheless, you should move the installation for a few days. This period is sufficient to inform you about product problems after the update. If there are no errors there, you can install the update.
If possible, updates of mobile applications should not take place via the mobile network, but rather via the faster WLAN without volume limitation at home. If the programupdate fails, visit the program provider's website. There may be a problem solved.
Also Windows Phone is not protected against faulty Up Updates. If an update fails, connect your Windows Phone to your computer via USB and try to update again. Use the original cable, otherwise other problems may occur.
If an error code is displayed again, Microsoft has set up a wizard on the page ambassadors.xbox.com, which will lead you to the problem-solving step by step.
Especially for major updates such as service packs, a large amount of disk space is required to install the update. The problem is solved by deleting existing files and creating more disk space.
This can also happen: During the download of an update, the Internet connection is interrupted. Fortunately, this is no problem. Search again for existing updates, and simply re-download the download.
If you are installing an update on a portable device such as a tablet or notebook, be sure to connect it to the power supply. The battery operation entails the risk that the computer runs out of steam during installation. This may damage the operating system and your computer may stop running.
You should not install updates for mobile devices immediately after the show. This is the easiest way to avoid problems caused by incorrect updates. Wait a few days, watch the responses in the relevant forums, and install only when no problems occur.
If your mobile device does not want to start after installing an update, try a normal reset. Depending on the device, you usually have to press a certain key combination. See the manual of the device for more information.
This also often helps: Remove the battery, if it is possible with your device, wait a few minutes, reinstall the battery and restart the device.
In case of a factory reset, the device is set to its delivery state. All data and programs will be deleted! It is therefore absolutely essential to always have an up-to-date backup of data and applications. How the workspace works can be found in the manual
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