Windows updates failed, Want to delete all failed update files in history location

Anonymous
2010-12-18T04:10:17+00:00

Windows update section states I have 1 updates and one optional. Files download and computer restarts, but files fail to log.

Also, how can I delete all the failed window files fromhistory. Taking up lots of room.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2010-12-23T10:29:02+00:00

Hi Ronk109,

If the updates got installed successfully the next time, then you can directly jump to method 2 which include steps to erase Windows Update history. After following the steps, the update history will be completely wiped out. By erasing the update history, you’ll just lose the update record entry and not exactly the updates. You can still find the history of the installed updates under the option Installed updates in Windows Update window.

Hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need any further assistance.

Mouneshwar R – Microsoft Support

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-12-19T03:52:10+00:00

    Hi Ronk109,

    ·         What updates failed to install and what is the error that you receive while installing them?

    ·         When you say “files fail to log”, do you mean to say that those updates and its status information are not recorded in the windows update history because the history stack is full and no room left for the new updates?

    ·         Did you check View Installed updates in the Windows update window?

    As of now, I would suggest you to try the steps mentioned below.

    Method 1: Check the Windows Update log file for the errors

    a.    Click on start; in the start search type %Windir%\WindowsUpdate.log and hit Enter.

    b.    Open the log file.

    c.    Scroll down almost towards the bottom of the page and you’ll find the error of those updates that failed to install.

    Method 2: Steps to erase Windows Update history

    **Note:**Erasing the windows update history will just remove the entries of the updates and not really the updates itself.

    a.    Go to menu Start> All Programs> Accessories. Right click on the "command prompt" and select "Run as Administrator".

    b.    Copy/paste the below command:

    c.    net stop wuauserv

    d.    And select OK.

    e.    Wait until confirmation that the service is stopped.

    f.     To delete the file, copy the following command in the command prompt:

    g.    del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log

    h.    You can also delete it manually by going to the location in windows explorer.

    i.     you can restart the service with this command:

    j.     net start wuauserv 

    Method 3: Install the updates by putting the computer into a clean boot

    A clean boot helps in eliminating software conflicts. Once the update history is erased, try to install the updates by putting the computer into a clean boot state.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note: Once the troubleshooting is over, reset the computer to start as usual.

    Hope this information is helpful and let me know if you need any further assistance.

    Mouneshwar R – Microsoft Support

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    40+ people found this answer helpful.
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