Windows 7 updates stop working on unsupported or old hardware.

Have you seen the following error on your Windows 7 computer: Code 80240037 Windows Update encountered an unknown error

The full error will read as follows:

Windows could not search for new updates
“An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer.
Error(s) found:
Code 80240037 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.”

What this really means is Microsoft has pulled the plug on some older processor architecture.  If your computer is running any of the following processors then you will no longer be able to download security updates on Windows 7:

• • Intel seventh (7th)-generation processors
  • AMD “Bristol Ridge”
  • Qualcomm “8996″

There is not much you can do apart from updating to Windows 10, though you’ll be better off investing in newer architecture to ensure support will be around for the long term.  This is one more reason to jump ship and upgrade before Microsoft kills off the support life cycle for Windows 7 in its entirety.

Find our up to date list of Microsoft Windows and Server Operating System End of Life Dates here.