Reviewing the Windows Update History

by Barry Dysert
(last updated April 4, 2019)

Whenever you attempt a Windows Update installation, a behind-the-scenes update history log is modified. In earlier versions of Windows, this log is in a file called "C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log". Windows no longer directly produces a WindowsUpdate.log file in more recent versions of Windows. While the WindowsUpdate.log file is humanly-readable, if available, it's encoded to the point where you're probably better off reviewing the Windows Update history through the Windows Update system. Follow these steps:

  1. Display the Control Panel.
  2. Click the Programs category.
  3. Under the Programs and Features heading, click View Installed Updates. Windows displays the Installed Update screen. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. Windows Update history screen.

    Windows shows the name of each update and, if you scroll the screen to the right, the date on which it was installed. When you're finished reviewing your updates, just close the Control Panel.

 This tip (5646) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Using Flip 3D

Flip 3D is an Aero feature that allows you to cycle through your active windows in three dimensions. Because they are ...

Discover More

ConFavor

Navigating to favorite files or folders need not be a time waster of click through a tree structure. ConFavor makes this ...

Discover More

Creating a Simple Batch File

One of the powerful capabilities built into Windows is the ability to create and use batch files to perform a wide ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Removing an Update

Windows installs updates automatically by default. If you want to remove an update, this tip tells you how.

Discover More

Quick Screen Clear

Do you work with a lot of open windows at the same time? If so, you'll love this way to easily focus on only one of those ...

Discover More

Changing Sounds Associated with Windows Events

You can customize Windows so that various sounds (or none) are associated with various Windows events. This tip explains ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is two less than 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR AUTHORS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.