How to Check Windows Update History in Windows 11 (Complete Guide 2026)
Windows 11 regularly receives updates that improve security, fix bugs, add features, and address compatibility problems. If you are troubleshooting a Windows problem, checking which updates were recently installed can be extremely useful.
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Windows 11 includes a built-in Update history page that lets you see previously installed updates. You can use it to find update dates, update categories, and KB numbers associated with installed updates.
In this guide, you'll learn how to check Windows Update history using Settings, Command Prompt, PowerShell, and other built-in Windows tools.
What Is Windows Update History?
Windows Update History is a record of updates that Windows has installed on your computer.
Depending on your Windows installation and update activity, the history can include categories such as:
- Quality Updates
- Driver Updates
- Definition Updates
- Other Updates
- Feature Updates
The exact categories displayed can vary between Windows versions and installed updates.
Microsoft provides the Update History page so users can see which updates were installed and when they were installed.
Method 1: Check Windows Update History Using Settings
This is the easiest and recommended method for most Windows 11 users.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Windows Update.
- Under More options, select Update history.
- Scroll through the list of installed updates.
You will see the updates installed on your computer, usually grouped by category.
Depending on the update, you may also see a KB identifier that can be used to find Microsoft's documentation about that particular update.
How to Read Windows Update History
When you open Update History, you may see several categories.
| Category | What It Usually Contains |
|---|---|
| Quality Updates | Regular Windows updates containing security fixes, bug fixes, and other improvements. |
| Driver Updates | Updates for supported hardware drivers delivered through Windows Update. |
| Definition Updates | Security intelligence updates, such as updates associated with Microsoft Defender. |
| Other Updates | Additional Windows components, configuration updates, or other update types. |
| Feature Updates | Major Windows feature releases and version upgrades. |
The categories and entries shown on your PC can differ depending on the Windows version, hardware, update history, and Microsoft update policies.
What Is a KB Number?
A KB number is an identifier associated with a Microsoft Knowledge Base article and is commonly used to identify a Windows update.
For example, an update may appear with an identifier such as:
KB50xxxxx
The exact KB number depends on the update.
If you are troubleshooting a problem that started after a Windows update, recording the KB number can make it easier to identify the update and research its known issues.
Method 2: Check Installed Windows Updates Using Command Prompt
You can also use Command Prompt to view installed Windows updates.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type cmd.
- Press Enter.
- Run the following command:
wmic qfe list brief /format:table
On Windows installations where WMIC is unavailable or disabled, use PowerShell instead. Microsoft has been retiring the legacy WMIC tool from newer Windows environments, so PowerShell is the better long-term method.
Another option is:
systeminfo
However, systeminfo is primarily intended to display general system information rather than provide a complete graphical-style update history.
Method 3: Check Installed Updates Using PowerShell
PowerShell provides a useful way to query installed Windows updates.
Open PowerShell and run:
Get-HotFix
This command displays installed hotfixes and related information.
You may see information such as:
- HotFix ID
- Description
- Installed By
- Installed On
This can be useful when you need a quick command-line view of installed Windows hotfixes.
How to Sort Windows Updates by Installation Date
PowerShell can also be used to sort installed hotfixes by installation date.
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending
This places the most recently installed hotfixes toward the top of the results.
This can be particularly useful when troubleshooting an issue that appeared recently.
How to Find the Most Recently Installed Update
If you want to identify recent hotfixes using PowerShell, run:
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending | Select-Object -First 10
This displays the most recent entries returned by the Get-HotFix command.
Keep in mind that PowerShell's Get-HotFix does not necessarily represent every item shown in the Settings Update History page. The two methods serve different purposes and may display different types of updates.
How to Check if a Windows Update Was Recently Installed
If a problem appeared shortly after Windows updated, compare the date when the problem started with the installation dates shown in Update History.
For example:
- Windows update installed on Monday.
- PC worked normally on Monday.
- Blue screen or driver problem started on Tuesday.
This does not automatically prove that the update caused the problem, but it gives you a useful starting point for troubleshooting.
Can You Uninstall a Windows Update?
Windows 11 provides an Uninstall updates option for supported updates.
To access it:
- Open Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Open Update history.
- Look under the related settings for Uninstall updates.
- Select a supported update and choose Uninstall.
Microsoft notes that some updates cannot be uninstalled. Microsoft also recommends understanding the risks before removing security updates.
Do not uninstall an update simply because it is unfamiliar. First determine what the update does and whether it is actually related to the problem you are experiencing.
Why Is Windows Update History Useful for Troubleshooting?
1. Identify Recent Changes
Windows updates modify system components, drivers, security components, and other parts of the operating system. Update History gives you a record of recent changes.
2. Investigate New Problems
If a problem started after an update, the installation date can help establish a timeline.
3. Find a KB Number
KB identifiers make it easier to locate Microsoft's documentation, release notes, and known issue information.
4. Verify Updates Were Installed
If you expected a particular update to be installed, Update History can help confirm whether Windows installed it.
5. Document System Changes
Update history can be useful when documenting maintenance or troubleshooting steps on a computer.
Windows Update History vs Current Windows Version
These are two different types of information.
| Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Windows Version | Shows the current major Windows release installed on the PC. |
| OS Build | Identifies the current operating system build. |
| Update History | Shows updates that have been installed over time. |
| Installation Date | Shows information about when the current Windows installation was installed. |
For troubleshooting, these details work best when viewed together.
What If Update History Is Empty?
If the Update History page does not show the information you expected, several things may be responsible.
- The Windows installation may be relatively new.
- Windows Update history may have been affected by a reset or reinstall.
- The update may have been installed through another method.
- You may be looking at a different update category.
- The displayed history may not include every servicing event performed on the system.
If you need detailed information about a particular update, use its KB number and consult Microsoft's official documentation.
How to Check Windows Update History Quickly
For most users, you only need these steps:
- Press Windows + I.
- Click Windows Update.
- Select Update history.
- Review the installed updates and their dates.
This is the simplest way to see the update history directly inside Windows 11.
Related Articles
- How to Check Windows 11 Version
- How to Check Windows 11 Build Number
- How to Check Windows 11 Edition
- How to Check Windows Activation Status
- How to Check Windows Installation Date
- This PC Can't Run Windows 11: How to Fix It
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see my Windows 11 update history?
Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history. Windows will display the updates installed on your PC.
How do I find the KB number of an installed update?
Open Update History and look through the installed update entries. The KB identifier is normally included with applicable updates.
Can I see when a Windows update was installed?
Yes. Update History provides installation information for the updates listed there. PowerShell's Get-HotFix can also show an InstalledOn date for supported hotfix entries.
Should I uninstall a recent Windows update if my PC has a problem?
Not automatically. First determine whether the update is likely related to the problem. Microsoft notes that not all updates can be removed and recommends understanding the risks before uninstalling security updates.
Does Update History show every change made to Windows?
No. Update History is an update record, not a complete log of every change made to your Windows installation. Some servicing or configuration events may not appear in the same way as normal Windows Update entries.
Final Thoughts
Checking Windows Update History is one of the easiest ways to understand what updates have recently been installed on your Windows 11 PC. The quickest method is to open Settings → Windows Update → Update history.
For more advanced troubleshooting, PowerShell commands such as Get-HotFix can provide additional information about installed hotfixes and their installation dates.
When investigating a Windows problem, combine Update History with your Windows version, build number, edition, activation status, and installation date. Having these details together can make it much easier to identify recent system changes and choose the right troubleshooting approach.