How to Clear Windows Update History in Windows 11

Clearing the update history in Windows 11 removes the list of past patches and upgrades from the Settings app without deleting any actual system files. Windows keeps a log of every installed update, which can clutter your screen over time.

Wiping this list is safe and helps you start fresh when you need to troubleshoot a failed update or check what recently changed on your PC.

How to clear your update history

1. Click the Start button ⊞ and type “Terminal.”
2. Right-click on 🖱️ Terminal and select Run as administrator (requires admin privileges).
3. Copy the following command and paste it into the window, then press Enter:

You can clear update history in Windows 11 by running a short command in Windows Terminal (a tool for running text commands). This method wipes out the list of past updates shown in your settings screen without removing the actual security patches or updates already installed on your computer. Follow the steps below to run the command and clean up your update list.

powershell -windowstyle hidden -command "Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,net stop usosvc & net stop wuauserv & del %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore\Logs\edb.log & del /f /q C:\ProgramData\USOPrivate\UpdateStore\* & net start usosvc & net start wuauserv & UsoClient.exe RefreshSettings' -Verb runAs"

The settings ⚙️ menu updates automatically to show a blank update log.

Summary

Resetting update logs through an administrative command line wipes the visible history instantly. Installed system patches remain fully intact and operational despite the cleared record.