Windows Update Shows Old Updates

After installing the latest Feature Update, the Windows Update may still show updates that apply to the previous Windows version. For example, after updating to Windows 11 to 22H2 from 21H2, the Windows Update page in Settings lists the updates applicable for Version 21H2.

However, the wushowhide.diagcab tool doesn’t list those obsolete updates, and thus you can’t hide those updates with that tool.

Cause

Many users face this issue after upgrading to Windows 11 22H2. It could be due to a WU cache or Qmgr.dat cache issue, and the obsolete updates should vanish on their own in a few days. You can ignore it.

Resolution

To clear the obsolete updates from the Windows Updates page in Settings, try one of these options:



Option 1: Clear the Qmgr cache files

Clear the Qmgr cache files by running the following commands from admin PowerShell:

Get-Service -Name wuauserv,bits,cryptsvc | Stop-Service
Remove-Item -Path "$env:ALLUSERSPROFILE\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat"
Rename-Item $env:systemroot\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.bak

Option 2: Attempt to install the updates and let them fail

If that doesn’t help, try to install the updates by clicking “Install Updates” and let them fail. Repeat it and recheck for updates until the updates disappear from the list.


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Ramesh Srinivasan is passionate about Microsoft technologies and he has been a consecutive ten-time recipient of the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award in the Windows Shell/Desktop Experience category, from 2003 to 2012. He loves to troubleshoot and write about Windows. Ramesh founded Winhelponline.com in 2005.

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