Can't delete failed updates Vista

C

castlemaine51

New Member
Hi all,

I have some failed updates in my update history on windows Vista. Although the updates report that they are failed, they are in my list of installed updates. You are not allowed to delete critical updates on windows vista, but i want to delete these critical updates as the installation of them has failed.

Anyone got any ideas how I delete them off so I can go back to windows update and try again to install them successfully?

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

When you bring up the Update History I thought there was a link at the top you could click to troubleshoot and un-install any updates that are causing problems, have you tried that ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Home
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy x360 Convertible 15-bq0xx
    CPU
    AMD A9 Stoney Ridge Technology
    Motherboard
    HP 8312 (Socket FP4)
    Memory
    8.00GB Dual-Channel Unknown (?-0-0-0)
    Graphics card(s)
    Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080@60Hz) 512MB ATI AMD Radeon R5
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Aud
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor on AMD Radeon R5 Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    119GB SanDisk SD8SN8U-128G-1006 (SSD) 931GB Hitachi HGST HTS721010A9E630 (SATA
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Internet Speed
    62.86Mbps down 18.19Mbps up
    Other Info
    EPSON78D0CF (XP-332 335 Series) (Default Printer)
C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution/Download


Delete the contents of this folder, you will likely need to reboot first, and/or possibly cut and paste them to a different location before you can delete them.

This will make windows update "forget" your update history, including the failed updates. It will not uninstall the actual updates, it will just erase memory of them. When you run windows update again, it will think you are running it for the first time, but, of course, will only find newer updates, not the ones you already have installed.

The failed installs are not actually installed, they failed, so they are causing you no harm. But, if you just hate seeing them on the list, because you are a bit on the OCD side like I am, deleting the history will fix it.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi All,
I did fix this problem after a bit, I will post how I did it to help other people. Just to clarify, this post refers to critical system updates, these are updates you cannot uninstall by the normal method using the uninstall feature on windows update, vista does not let you uninstall critical system updates. however you may find as i did that you do need to delete them....

the point is the failed updates are causing harm in the sense that although they failed to install, the failed installations block windows update from downloading another copy of the update so you can try again.

I did look at the folder people are talking about windows/softwaredistribution, this folder does not seem to contain alot and certainly not all the files it would need to contain if it housed all installed windows updates.

the way to fix failed updates on vista is back to basics, back up all files and folders to an external sources eg an external hard drive. not the hard drive in your computer, save all your drivers too on the external data storage, then reinstall your operating system, then reinstall all your drivers and files and folders then reinstall all your updates, problem solved, a slightly long winded approach maybe but guaranteed to fix the problem without damaging your operating system installation. :)
 

My Computer

System One

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