How to Set Up and Use Windows Update History

Keeping your Windows operating system up to date is essential to ensure the security and stability of your computer. Windows Update is a built-in feature that allows you to download and install the latest updates provided by Microsoft. One useful tool within Windows Update is the Update History, which provides a detailed record of all updates applied to your system. In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the process of setting up and using Windows Update History.

Prerequisites

• A computer running Windows operating system (Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7).

Step 1: Accessing Windows Update

To access Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
3. From the left sidebar, click on Windows Update.

Step 2: Checking for Updates

Before we dive into the Windows Update History, make sure that your system is up to date by checking for new updates:

1. In the Windows Update window, click on Check for updates.
2. Wait for Windows to search for available updates. If there are any updates, they will be listed.

Step 3: Viewing Windows Update History

To view Windows Update History, follow these steps:

1. In the Windows Update window, click on View update history located under the Check for updates button.
2. The Update History screen will now open, displaying a list of all the updates installed on your system. The list includes the update installation date, status, and the update type.

Step 4: Understanding Update History Information

The Update History displays important information about the updates, including:

• Title: The name and description of the update.
• Status: Indicates whether the update was successfully installed or failed to install.
• KB Article: Provides a link to the Microsoft Knowledge Base (KB) article associated with this update.
• Installed On: The date and time the update was installed on your system.
• Restart Required: Indicates if a system restart is necessary to complete the update.

Step 5: Navigating Update History

Navigating through the Update History is easy. You can sort the updates by various criteria, such as installation date or update type, by clicking on the corresponding column header. Additionally, you can use the search box at the top to search for a specific update by its title or KB number.

Step 6: Filtering Update History

If you wish to filter the update history to view only important updates or only failed updates, you can do so:

1. Click on the Filter by dropdown list at the top of the Update History screen.
2. Select the desired filters, like Failed updates or Important updates, to display the specified subset of updates.

Step 7: Uninstalling Updates

In case you need to uninstall a specific update from your system, follow these steps:

1. Go back to the Windows Update window.
2. Click on View update history to open the Update History screen.
3. Look for the update you wish to uninstall and click on Uninstall updates located at the top of the screen.
4. Windows will open the Control Panel with the list of installed updates. Locate the desired update, right-click on it, and select Uninstall.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

It's important to note that uninstalling updates should typically be done as a troubleshooting step for specific issues and not as a routine process. Removing certain updates may impact the security and stability of your system.

Conclusion

Keeping your Windows system updated is crucial, and being aware of the changes provided by Windows Update is equally essential. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you should now be able to access, navigate, and understand your Windows Update History. Furthermore, you learned how to check for updates, filter the updates, and even uninstall specific updates when necessary. Regularly reviewing your update history will help you stay informed about the updates and their effects on your system.