Why Does Windows 10 Not Show Unsuccessful Updates in the Update History?

Many users may wonder why the Windows 10 update history does not show unsuccessful updates. This can be perplexing, especially when you want to track which updates have failed and need to be corrected or rolled back.

Microsoft Windows 10 is the latest version of one of the most widely used operating systems. It brings in numerous improvements over its predecessors, but the update process can sometimes be frustrating, particularly if you find yourself dealing with unsuccessful updates. Why doesn't the Windows 10 update history show these failed updates?

Understanding Failed vs. Successful Updates

To understand the discrepancy, it’s important to distinguish between failed updates and updates that are uninstalled. Failed updates are ones that the operating system could not apply due to various reasons such as insufficient system resources, conflicts with existing software, or other system issues. Conversely, unsuccessful updates that are uninstalled by a user or system are not reflected in the update history as they have been removed from the system.

Why Windows 10 Update History Doesn't Show Unsuccessful Updates

The primary reason why the Windows 10 update history may not display unsuccessful updates is that an update that fails to install is not categorized the same as an update that is uninstalled. In the context of Windows 10, an unsuccessful update that is uninstalled is essentially a new state of the system that doesn't require tracking in the update history. The update history focuses on the installation of updates rather than their removal.

It’s possible that in some cases, the dev team at Microsoft decided to have the update history reflect only successful installations. This could be due to a desire to streamline the update process and reduce clutter in the history. Additionally, unsuccessful updates that are later reinstalled or rolled back are not typically listed in the update history, which can cause confusion for users.

How to Check for Unsuccessful Updates

Despite the limitations of the Windows 10 update history, there are ways to check for unsuccessful updates on your system.

1. Event Viewer

The Event Viewer can be a powerful tool for troubleshooting and monitoring system events, including unsuccessful updates. You can access it through the start menu search by typing eventvwr.

In the Event Viewer, navigate to Windows Logs → Application. Look for events with ID 214, which correspond to failed update installation attempts. This can provide detailed information about why the update failed to install and help you take corrective action.

2. Command Prompt

You can also use the Command Prompt to check for updates that failed to install. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and type:

net stop wuauservnet start wuauserv

Then, run the command:

 /verifyonly

This command will check the Windows Update files and indicate any issues that may prevent updates from installing successfully. Additionally, you can use:

sfc /scannow

This command scans and repairs damaged system files, which may help resolve issues with failed updates.

Managing Unsuccessful Updates

If you need to address unsuccessful updates, you can try several different methods:

1. Retry the Update

The easiest solution may simply be to retry the failed update. Sometimes, the update process can be interrupted due to temporary system issues, and retrying the update may resolve the problem.

2. Reinstall the Update

If retrying doesn’t work, you can attempt to reinstall the update using the Advanced Options in the Windows Update settings. Alternatively, you can use the following PowerShell command to force the installation:

Start-Process -Verb RunAs -FilePath "wusa.exe" -ArgumentList "[path to the update .cab file]" -ErrorAction Stop

Be sure to replace "[path to the update .cab file]" with the actual path to the update package.

3. Uninstall and Reinstall Windows

If all else fails, you may need to completely uninstall and reinstall Windows 10. However, as mentioned in the original text, this may invalidate the warranty of the device. It is important to carefully consider this option and consult the manufacturer’s policies before proceeding.

It is recommended to back up your data before making any significant changes to your system to ensure that you don’t lose important files.

Conclusion

The Windows 10 update history is designed to track only successful updates and does not reflect failed updates that were removed. This can be frustrating when troubleshooting update issues, but there are tools and methods available to help you manage and track these updates. By using the Event Viewer, Command Prompt, and PowerShell, you can get detailed information about failed updates and take appropriate actions to resolve them.

If you find that you cannot manage these updates effectively, remember that there are alternative ways to use the operating system, such as by deploying Windows 7 or Windows XP on certain systems, as many users do based on their experience and specific needs.