It is fairly simple...once you understand it all! It used to be that you had to type in DOS commands and couldn't click on anything on the screen: that was simple, but not very much fun. It sounds like you are trying to teach yourself to do things by clicking and guessing, and by assuming it will be the same as previous. You can do that, but in my experience you never know what you don't know, and you waste a lot of time. For example, how much time have you spent on this one issue? My suggestion is -- and don't be insulted -- that you need to buy yourself the book "Windows 7 for Dummies." The Dummies series are very helpful books (I've used them myself) that walk you step-by-step through how to make things work. The version that I've linked to below even comes with a DVD that gives you a couple of hours of hands-on instruction. Here is a link that might be useful: Windows 7 for Dummies

Mission accomplished: Windows downloaded 66 changes 209 MB this morning - maybe during the night, and I turned on Install, which took at least 30 minutes, and was successful. So, what was done? 1) I went to auto update with install manual a couple of days ago. That resulted in Windows Update recognizing the need to update but it was unable to download. 2) Ran deep scan Windows Defender and Avira (in parallel) and that took many hours..it had completed this morning and neither indicated any problems, with Avira listing 1 "warning" only. 3) Ran Windows Update and it indicated 66 @ 209 MB I clicked on install and the progress window reported "download" which lasted too short a time to download 209 MB at my DSL speed, the progress then indicated installing step-by-step and completed after about 30 minutes. During the early steps in the install I took note of my WiFi bit counter and noted only administrative communications indicating auto update had downloaded the updates during the night. I guess that's how update works when the manual approval is set. Ravencajun, sorry about Malwarbytes I recall reading your recommendation and, unfortunately, as I didn't have Malwarebytes on that netbook I translated to running what was installed: Avira and Defender..seems that help or fixed the problem I will get a copy of Malwarbytes on that machine, assume it is easy to find and download. Question on Windows Defender: I have had the WD Icon on my desktop, in fact all my desktops (XP, 7, and 7 Starter) but I am unable to place it here. The netbook in fact didn't have it on the desktop, but it had a copy, and I am able to copy the Icon to the tool bar (bottom) but not to the desktop, strange to my mind. Is defender running from startup? or is it a passive program that has to be ran manually? Thanks for the help, as it now stands the Netbook is up-to-date on 7 Starter.

Well, seems I now have W8.1 on my subject Laptop. I made numerous requests to the MS Store and left my computer on overnight a couple times, nothing. Then suddenly this afternoon, about a hour ago I get a notice that MS wants to update to W8.1. a "restart" was needed. I click go ahead and forget about doing any work while that is going on. The "you can work applied only to the download which it seems was completed without any notice on my part. But, from there it takes at least 20 minutes for Update to do its work, including a second password code being required. I agreed that the "code" could be telephoned to me. After about a 5 minute wait I went back and requested the "code" be sent to my email address... I have another computer on-line to catch the email. Got the password/code there within the next two minutes. Some of the other "stuff" I am not yet altogether comfortable with, but what choice do I have: 1) The legal stuff seems to give MS lots of access to my computer 2) It appears W8.1 introduces "cloud" storage for those of us who have thus far gotten by just fine without it. This seems to be the purpose of the "Sky Drive" on the W8+ Set of tiles and it seems some of the operational OS stuff is backed up, but not sure I understand yet what else of "mine" is simply taken by MS and put on the "Sky Drive" and anywhere else pleases them. The update chanced the desktop boot up desktop from a scene of Seattle with an enlarged Space Needle to a colorful circular pattern, not better but I was not given a choice. The display on my Laptop seems brighter, maybe more HD, is that a possible effect of the W8.1 upgrade...right I didn't read the MS marketing stuff. Well for better or worse I now have W8.1 on my one and only W8 machine: still have one W7 and numerous XP only one of which is still active. Thank to all as I worked to get W8.1 upgrade on my qualified (free upgrade) machine.

you can disconnect an old machine from the web .... and not worry about security issues ... so use your old machine... disconnected ... with all its old programs ... and peripherals .... and just get a new machine .... for WWW work .... you would probably be amazed what you can get ... machine.. and memory-wise.. for a half or a quarter of what you invested in the old machine .... it really is mind bending ... then.. all you have to figure out.. is how to get info from one to the other ... and a memory stick.. or some such... will usually get around that ... you guys seem to be trapped in the one machine for everything issue ... if i liked to tour the woods in a 4 wheel truck .. i would have an old beat up one for two tracking and ditch driving... and a nicer newer one.. for the roads ... and work ... personally ... for the cost of W10 ... and the hours it will take an old 7 person to install and learn it... [not to mention the mind bending stress .. lol] ..... for about 300 bucks.. you can have a new machine and be enjoying both... inside a half day ... when its all said and done.. i would probably wait until 10 came out ... if you can wait that long ... right now.. an investment of a stand alone memory.. and full backup for the old machine on that.. MIGHT save you ... from future disaster.. if you rely on an unsupported .. wired to the WWW ... operating system ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: and you could get it for about half... if you coule figure out how to share the old moniter ....