What Did Automatic Updates Install?

[Robert Lee]

I sometimes discover new problems after Automatic Updates has installed
updates. When I looked on System Restore, it only says "Software
Distribution Service 3.0", which I assume refers to the automatic update.

Is there a way to figure out what was installed every time that service is
run? I don't see anything on the events log that reveals what was installed.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Friday, September 11, 2009 8:31:02 AM, and on a
whim, Robert Lee pounded out on the keyboard:

I sometimes discover new problems after Automatic Updates has installed
updates. When I looked on System Restore, it only says "Software
Distribution Service 3.0", which I assume refers to the automatic update.

Is there a way to figure out what was installed every time that service is
run? I don't see anything on the events log that reveals what was installed.

Hi Robert,

Look in Add/Remove Programs and be sure "Show Updates" is checked. Then
just look for the date of install. You can also use MS Updates or
Windows Update via the browser and look at the history of all your updates.


Terry R.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com | Do NOT select the EXPRESS or
CUSTOM option | Click on the Update History link in left-hand pane.

 

[Twayne]

I sometimes discover new problems after Automatic Updates has
installed updates. When I looked on System Restore, it only says
"Software Distribution Service 3.0", which I assume refers to the
automatic update.

Is there a way to figure out what was installed every time that
service is run? I don't see anything on the events log that reveals
what was installed.

Look in the C:\Windows\ folder where the uninstall progs are. Find the
ones dated for the day of the update arriving. Each has a KB in the
title; go to MS and look up the KB.

If the future, set updates to arrive but not install, notify you
instead. Then use Custom to install them; you'll get a look at every
update and the KB that describes it so you check them BEFORE you install
them. Sometimes, not all that often, you can tell what they are just
from the titles; as in, when IE8 was pushed out.

HTH,

Twayne`