How to Clear Update History? How to Clear Single History Update Item That Failed?

Discussion in 'Windows Update' started by Susan, Aug 13, 2004.

  1. Susan

    Susan Guest

    How can I clear the Windows Update History? I want to start off with a
    clean slate when SP2 appears.

    Alternately, how can I clear a specific WU History item that Failed to
    install but was later in the history was installed with Success?

    IIRC, the history could be deleted by deleting all the files and subfolders
    and files under Program Files | WindowsUpdate. I did so and rebooted but
    the History now remains.

    **I need to know where this WU History is now kept and how, if I choose to,
    I can edit it to remove an item in it please?**

    Today my Windows Update site updated itself but I noticed that SP2 for XP
    is still not available?

    Thank you for the help,

    Susan
     
    Susan, Aug 13, 2004
    #1

    1. Advertisements

  2. Susan

    Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\) Guest


    WU5 History is stored in the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore folder.

    Deleting this folder will clear the history completely. Currently there
    is no method available that lets you remove only selected items from it,
    but David Herman is looking into creating a program that will do this:

    http://groups.google.com/groups?threadm=


    Note that you will need to stop the "Automatic Updates" service before
    you are allowed to delete the folder mentioned above, here is how:

    Start/Run --> services.msc

    Then find "Automatic Updates" in the list, and double click on it.

    If the service status is "Started", press the Stop button. You can now
    delete the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore folder.

    Here is the distribution plan:

    10. August Release to Automatic Updates (for machines running
    pre-release versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2 only)

    16. August Release to Automatic Updates (for machines NOT running
    pre-releases versions of Windows XP Service Pack 2)

    Later in August Release to Windows Update for interactive user
    installations
     
    Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\), Aug 13, 2004
    #2

    1. Advertisements

  3. Susan

    Susan Guest

    That all worked fine. Thank you.

    Susan
     
    Susan, Aug 13, 2004
    #3
  4. Susan

    Greig [MSFT] Guest

    Hello,

    I suggest that you rename the Datastore folder rather than delete it.

    Greig [MSFT]

    This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
     
    Greig [MSFT], Aug 13, 2004
    #4
  5. Susan

    Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\) Guest

    Hi

    Is there any specific reason for why you suggest this?
     
    Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\), Aug 13, 2004
    #5

    1. Advertisements

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.
Similar Threads

  1. I can't delete the item in the "delete item" folder in window mail

  2. IE7 Crashing on Drop Down List with a Single Item

  3. single user single logon?

  4. Single User Single CPU Group Policy Failure

  5. Can I block a single website for a single user

  6. SBS2008 Single Single NIC only

  7. Single 2003 server, single domain, with Exchange 2003

  8. Unresolved calendar item - Calendar item wants contacts

Loading...