windows 7 update fails

hi,

a couple of months ago the updates started to fail. at the time i ran a system restore but it never allowed one update to take. now all updates fail. this is a second machine but still useful. i cannot locate the original restore discs, if they have any use. i'm not sure how to go about recovering. even windows 10 needs a special app that won't install.

you guys helped this machine before with a malware infection, what do i do now?

windows 7 home premium

version 6.1.7601 SP1 build 7601

HP model HPE-450t

64 bit

intel i7, 870 @2.93 ghz

9 gb ram

thank you

Start here:  Troubleshoot problems with installing updates

brilliant! seems to have worked. updates took. why don't they build that link into the updates failed message?

question: should i upgrade windows 7 to windows 10? 7 has been solid and relatively trouble-free. your opinion?

You can try Windows 10 but I strongly urge you to do a image backup to an external hard drive first. That way if something goes wrong you can get back to where you are now in about 20 minutes. If you don't have one, get one. You can get a 1TB external USB 3.0 driver for $50 to $60.
 
Use Macrium Reflect Free or AOMEI BackUpper Standard to make the image backup.
 
Then follow the instructions here: Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation

Follow  3. To Upgrade to Windows 10 using Media Creation Tool
 

Okay, sounds good.

thank you so much!