Windows 7: Can't reverse recent Windows update.

On 20th August various Windows updates were installed on my computer one of which was an update to my USB Wireless Mouse. The changes they have made to this are a total pain and I want to revert back to the way it was before the update.

This appears in my Update history;

Microsoft - Other hardware - Microsoft Hardware USB Wireless Mouse

Installation date: ‎20/‎08/‎2012 04:07

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Optional

Microsoft Other hardware software update released in May, 2012

But when I check in Installed Updates it is not there! It was installed, it was a successful update as stated above and it has made changes to the way my mouse settings are applied. How can I get shot of this update if it doesn't appear in installed updates and more to the point why doesn't it appear? By the way I'm using Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

Try using the rollback option in Device Manager, or System Restore.
You can then Hide the update to prevent it being installed again

...the other option is to uninstall the Intellipoint software from Program & Features, and reinstall teh original version you had.

Hi Noel. Where do you find this rollback option in device manager? I've only ever heard of System Restore and I know it doesn't work as I tried it for something else a few weeks ago. It seems a lot of people think System Restore works in Windows 7 until they try to use it!

System Restore does work - most of the time - but there are a lot of things that can break it (registry cleaners and system optimisers among them - and way too many people are selling them and nobody should be using them!)

I'd first check out the isntall date of any Intellipoint drivers in Programs and Features - if it is from the update, uninstall it from there, and see if that cures your problem.

I can't find any Intellipoint drivers in Programs and Features. It appears in update history but doesn't appear in installed updates. Go figure! I'm thinking how much simpler life would be if Microsoft stopped trying to fix things that ain't broke. I might try System Restore later. Given it's Sunday I can say a prayer first!

You wont find the Intellpoint software in Installed Updates - it will be in the main Programs listing with your other applications, if it's anywhere.

You can always set your system NOT to install optional updates - uncheck the 'Give me recommended updates....' entry in the Change settings option list.

Yeah I normally check through them before I install but I was doing something else and made the mistake of trusting it. Won't happen again!

As I suspected system restore didn't work. The last time that piece of cr*p worked for me was when I had 98. As a matter of interest here is the message that came up in case it rings any bells with anyone.

System restore did not complete successfully. Your computer's system files and settings were not changed.

Details:
System restore failed to extract the file (C:\) from the restore point. An unspecified error occurred during system restore. (0x8000ffff)

(System Restore didn't exist until Win ME came out <g>)
If I remember right, that error message means that the file has been corrupted - possibly it was a malware file that your AV decided was dangerous.

There;s a good chance in that case that a roll-back won't work either - it uses the VSS store as well. Try it anyway -
Open Device Manager, and find the entry for your mouse
right-click on it and select Properties.
Click on the Driver tab, and then the Roll Back Driver button.
See if it can help.