Did I just lose every windows update I've ever had?

[Negaforce]

So I followed this one guy's advice which was to go to services and stop Windows update service, locate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ folder and delete all its content, start Windows update service and then check for updates.

What the post left out was that the SoftwareDistribution folder and what was inside also contained my windows update history files once deleted I lost all my update history..... or so it looks that way. When I went to windows update it said updates were installed: Never and I checked view update history and everything in there is gone. So I went into my recycle bin and restored the folder and all it's files but still no update history came back. Does this mean I'm going to have to get every single windows 7 update all over again? if it does I'm in trouble because for some reason half of the updates end up saying failed and not successful also is my system at a huge security risk now???

 

[Paul Black]

HI Negaforce,

So I followed this one guy's advice which was to go to services and stop Windows update service, locate C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\ folder and delete all its content, start Windows update service and then check for updates.

What the post left out was that the SoftwareDistribution folder and what was inside also contained my windows update history files once deleted I lost all my update history..... or so it looks that way. When I went to windows update it said updates were installed: Never and I checked view update history and everything in there is gone. So I went into my recycle bin and restored the folder and all it's files but still no update history came back. Does this mean I'm going to have to get every single windows 7 update all over again? if it does I'm in trouble because for some reason half of the updates end up saying failed and not successful also is my system at a huge security risk now???

[1] Was the post on this forum?
[2] If so, can you post the link to the thread please?

 

[Paul Black]

HI Negaforce,

You will find that the WU's are still installed but are just not showing!

Please run WU_Hotfixes.bat from here => BATCH PROGRAMS [Standalone].

I hope this helps!

 

[Negaforce]

HI Negaforce,



[1] Was the post on this forum?
[2] If so, can you post the link to the thread please?

Nah, it wasn't here I was checking other places about my problem as well it was over at

Resources and Tools for IT Professionals | TechNet

Guy's post - Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[Negaforce]

HI Negaforce,

You will find that the WU's are still installed but are just not showing!

Please run WU_Hotfixes.bat from here => BATCH PROGRAMS [Standalone].

I hope this helps!

Woah, Okay that's a big relief thanks for the help brother.

 

[Paul Black]

HI Negaforce,

Guy's post - Imgur: The magic of the Internet

Did you delete the contents of the Software Distribution Folder or did you delete the Software Distribution Folder itself?

After a restart, when you ran check for updates it should have re-populated the Software Distribution Folder [it would take quite a while because the previous contents were deleted]!

 

[Paul Black]

Woah, Okay that's a big relief thanks for the help brother.

You are very welcome!

 

[Negaforce]

You are very welcome!

Hey, sorry to be such a bother I think I understand but not entirely sure, but I did what you said ran it and got WU_Hotfixes it's a Batch file notepad when I open it I see all kinds of Windows updates so those are all what are still present on my computer?

I missed your question yes I actually deleted both the folder and the contents as well. I don't know if that changes anything? I just restored the folder and all it's contents (actually some of the files started to regenerate by themselves before I could even put the deleted ones back).

One other thing quoting from part of that post it says "to generate and output the list of WU's [Windows Updates] and Hotfixes [patches] installed and the date they were installed."

I got all the updates but I don't see any dates for them does that matter?

 

[Paul Black]

Hi Negaforce,

Hey, sorry to be such a bother I think I understand but not entirely sure, but I did what you said ran it and got WU_Hotfixes it's a Batch file notepad when I open it I see all kinds of Windows updates so those are all what are still present on my computer?

Yes.

The batch script/program that I wrote [and you ran above] uses the wmic qfe [a M$ tool/utility] to generate the list of ALL the installed Windows and software updates applied to the computer.

I hope this helps!

 

[SIW2]

You could also use this View attachment WPL_v1.0.15.zip

 

[RolandJS]

Going forward, OP, I'm glad you did not adjust the registry, elsewhere is a thread about a soul who did that, and is now participating in a thread finding a way to reconstruct without having to do a repair or "dirty" re-install. And, please keep your backup routine current, I did, am glad, because I had to do an OS restore not too long ago for a different problem.

 

[Snick]

RolandJS

It is never advisable to surf the net, downloading and clicking on every so-called-fix-it tool. It can't fix corrupt registry entries, corrupt system files, cat/mum pairs, hard-links, security settings, finding the missing file or folder in my now 867K repository.

This is why we are here and help you for free, because others don't know how to fix it.

Peruse my OneDrive Folder in my Footer Windows Update Tools, REPAIR INSTALL IS A GREAT ONE TO START WITH!
Nimiro is my Windows Update Instructor on Sysnative Forums, If I can't fix it WELL ...
SFCFix Official Download - Repair Windows Update