Windows: delete update history - how it works

You can delete the Windows update history and thus remove the error messages of failed updates. We'll show you how to do it.

Clear Windows update history

The system file "DataStore.edb" is a list of the installed updates. If you remove this file, the history will also be deleted. Proceed as follows:

1. At the beginning, end the "wuauserv" service with the description "Windows Update": To do this, open Task Manager and navigate to "Services". With a right click you can stop the "wuauserv" service.
2. Next, you need to delete a Windows system file. Make a copy of this file for security. You need administrator rights for the entire step. Choose Computer> Local Disk (C :)> Windows> SoftwareDistribution> DataStore and copy the DataStore.edb file to a safe place. You can then delete the file.
3. Then you have to start the previously stopped service again. To do this, proceed in a similar way to step 1. Instead of "Stop", click on "Start". As soon as you check for new updates, a new file "DataStore.edb" is created, which has an empty update history.

Another practical tip will tell you how to hide individual Windows updates.