Reviewing the Windows Update History

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated September 9, 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

Disabling a Laptop's Touchpad

If you never use your laptop's touchpad, you may want to disable it so that you don't accidentally effect unintentional ...

Discover More

Defragmenting a Hard Drive

As files are added, removed, and edited on a hard drive, the files and the disk itself become fragmented. This causes ...

Discover More

Copying Data with Robocopy

Robocopy is a robust file copy utility built into Windows. If you have a lot of file management to do that can't easily ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Keeping the Scroll Bar

Scroll bars are helpful in showing that there is more information to be seen. By default, Windows 10 hides scroll bars, ...

Discover More

Enabling and Disabling Windows Features

Want to make sure that Windows is trim and fit, using only those features you routinely use? Here's how to enable or ...

Discover More

Changing Your Screen Saver

Screen savers can be works of art to bring some aesthetics to your computer monitor. This tip tells you how to change ...

Discover More
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}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) 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 0 + 7?

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


Newest Tips