How To Update A Laptop That Hasn’t Been Updated In A Year?

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I acquired a laptop that appears to not have been updated for about a year. It is running Windows 22H2.

I want to update it but am unsure how to proceed to only install the recommended patches. Is there a sticky post somewhere on how to accomplish my goals? Or can someone please give me some guidance?

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I’d just get a clean iso of windows 10 from Microsoft, and do a fresh wipe/install. You’ll run into less problems that way, and it will probably run better.

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dma wrote:

I want to update it but am unsure how to proceed to only install the recommended patches. Is there a sticky post somewhere on how to accomplish my goals? Or can someone please give me some guidance?

Before you take on a fresh wipe/install, why not just try Settings> Windows Update built in to Windows? Most every update is cumulative, basically combining all of the prior updates.

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I’m assuming that you mean Windows 10 22H2 – in which case, the device is already running the latest and last version of Windows 10.

Much as PL1 says, just fire it up, check that Windows Update is running and leave it for a good 30 mins or so.  Windows Update will install everything it needs to.  It may take a couple of days of use (and a couple of restarts) for everything to be fully installed/updated.  BTW, there is no such thing as “recommended updates” in MS-speak.

As for other software on the device – particularly non-MS web browsers such as Chrome and Firefox – it may be worth uninstalling them and installing fresh copies.

If, however, you are referring to Windows 11 22H2 (which is conceivable, given the device hasn’t been updated for a year) then I defer to someone more familiar with that OS.

Longer term, if you wish to do a fresh install of Windows (not a bad idea if the device is 2nd hand), details are here:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/reinstall-windows-d8369486-3e33-7d9c-dccc-859e2b022fc7

HTH.

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Magnus wrote:

Much as PL1 says, just fire it up, check that Windows Update is running and leave it for a good 30 mins or so.  Windows Update will install everything it needs to.

..including everything you don’t need to..like kb5012170, kb5005463,.. every patch marked as avoid in the last year, by Susan.

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Alex5723 wrote:

..including everything you don’t need to..like kb5012170, kb5005463,.. every patch marked as avoid in the last year, by Susan.

And if the OP installs a fresh copy of Win10 or Win11, wouldn’t that be the same result?

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Thanks for your replies. The laptop is running Windows 10 22H2 and it was being used by my wife so I do not want to wipe it with a fresh install as it still contains data that might be important to her. I also don’t want to have to go through the whole process of backing it up and re-configuring a fresh install.

Alex5723 wrote:

Magnus wrote:

Much as PL1 says, just fire it up, check that Windows Update is running and leave it for a good 30 mins or so.  Windows Update will install everything it needs to.

..including everything you don’t need to..like kb5012170, kb5005463,.. every patch marked as avoid in the last year, by Susan.

I’d just like to update the system with the goal of installing only the patches that are recommended by Susan per the master patch list. I’m just not sure if that would mean downloading each patch individually starting from Sept 2023 and installing them one by one or if there is a different way of doing it?

 

 

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Windows monthly security patches are cumulative. That means the current one is an accumulation of all the previous updates. So you only need the 2024-08 August Cumulative Update KB5041580. The SSUs are bundled with the CUs. Windows Update will also install the appropriate versions of the .NET Framework Cumulative Updates for the version(s) that are installed.

My recommendation would be to use WUMgr to control any other updates and hide the ones you don’t want to install. It uses the Windows Update Service to scan for updates, the same as Windows Update, and will offer you the available updates. Then you choose the ones to hide and the ones to install. See AKB6000002 for instructions on how to use the software and a download link. WUMgr is a Portable App, so it doesn’t install like other programs.

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Microfix

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One thing to be aware of is, if the system is using bitlocker, as the WinRE partition may need expanded..

However, if the system is not using bitlocker, follow PKCano’s advice in post #2698301 and you’ll be good to go.

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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I’m trying to update a Windows 10 computer that hasn’t been updated since 2020. Is it possible for that many updates to run and update spanning 4 years or will it need a clean install? This computer was stored and never used as it was replaced with a newer computer. Both are Dell laptops approx 14″ screens each. The older laptop was intended to replace the newer laptop. The newer laptop has a power issue but is up to date. It appears there is a short in the power port. Would it be cheaper to have a technician repair the power port on the newer laptop or have a technician do a clean install of Windows 10 on the older laptop? At least the Windows update does not require hardware repair. The hardware repair may require a new part from Dell.

Please advise.

Thank you.

 

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I would download WuMgr and use it to sort through the updates.
First I would hide all the driver and bios updates, then see if it will download / install the rest.

cheers, Paul

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Alex5723

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As an aside, can you install wumgr before you go online with any new PC (10/11)?

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The latest versions at the end of 2020 were Win10 v.2004 and v.20H2.
It will be a version change to Win10 22H2 in either case.
If successful, it will be good until Oct 14, 2025, when Win10 is EOS.

Are both/either eligible for Win11 23H2? Next question, are either qualified for Win11 24H2? If the answer is “yes” to the questions, you can buy an extra month with updates on the far end using Win11 23H2, but a couple of years more using 24H2. So, if only the later computer can run 24H2, it might be cheaper in the long run to fix the power port (if it can be fixed, providing it’s repairable if broken on the Motherboard end)

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TechTango

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PKCano wrote:

using Win11 23H4

I “assume” you meant Win11 23H2… or do you know something the rest of us don’t??

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PKCano

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Senior moment! Fixed

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Many Dell laptops have easily replaceable power ports. I found what I call a power port assembly on Amazon for a Precision laptop; cost was about $5). It consists of the port and its connected wires that in turn plug into a board on the laptop. If the short is in this assembly the old assembly can be easily unplugged and taken out by removing one screw; putting the new one in is just the opposite. Access to the port assembly is gained by removing the underside cover of the laptop (usually just removing some screws will do it). Easy repair. If the short is on the board and/or plug socket that’s on the board, then you have a bigger problem. But the port assembly replacement might be worth a try.

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The problem seems to be in  the power port itself. When I jiggled the power plug sometimes the unit would power up but for only a second or so, unless there is a chance it is the power supply itself. There is an indicator light on the power plug and It was working so I suspect it was on the port itself.

I already replaced it with another Dell laptop that is even better. I paid less for the new one than and it’s much better.  This one has a larger screen and came with 1 TB SSD. The old one had only a 500 GB SSD.

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I was able to update a laptop running Windows 10 that wasn’t used in 4 years. It took a long time but everything went through. It’s still runs a bit slow but everything works.

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