I will continue our series on Windows Update with an article showing how to manage installed updates and how to restore hidden ones so they are again available for installation on your Windows 7 PC. If you are interested about this subject, don't hesitate to click on read more.
NOTE: All operations described below are done from the Windows Update window. If you don't know how to open this window, use any of the methods described in our previous article, called How to Check for & Install Windows Updates.
Review Your Update History
In the Windows Update window, click on the 'View update history' link.
You will see a list with all of the Windows 7 updates installed on your computer. You can use the columns available to sort updates out by their name, status, importance or date when they were installed. To do this, just click on the column you desire and they will be automatically sorted.
If you want to know more about a certain update, you can double click on it and a window with additional information will open. You can also right click on the update and select 'View details'. In the right click menu you will also have the option to copy details and have them pasted in a document.
Remove Installed Updates
If you want to remove an installed update, go to the Windows Update window and click on the 'Installed Updates' link.
An alternative is to go to 'Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> View Installed Updates'.
In the Installed Updates window, you will see all the installed updates split by category. Once you find the one you want to remove, click on it and then on Uninstall.
You will be asked to confirm the operation. Click Yes.
Then, Windows 7 will start the uninstall process and show its progress.
When done, you will be back to the Installed Updates window.
Restore Hidden Updates
If you have hidden an update to prevent it from installing on your computer and you now want it back, you can restore it. To do this, go to the Windows Update window and click on the 'Restore hidden updates' link.
You will now see a list with all hidden updates, split by category. Select the updates you want to restore so that you are able to install them. When done selecting them, click on the Restore button.
Windows Update will immediately start checking for updates.
When done, it will display the restored updates in the list of available updates. You can now install them by following the instructions from our How to Check for & Install Windows Updates guide.
Conclusion
With this article we've managed to cover all there is to know about Windows Update. For more information about this tool don't hesitate to read the articles recommended below. Also, if you have any questions or issues, don't hesitate to leave a comment.
Related articles:
How to Check for & Install Windows Updates
How to Configure Windows Update Settings
How to Work with the Action Center
Did Add or Remove Programs Disappear?