Installed updates not displayed in Program Features

Question

I apply MS Updates regularly and have no updates outstanding apart from two optional updates that I don't intend to install. However, when I visit >program features>view installed updates no installed updates are shown many updates are missing including all for Vista. The freeware product Software Inspector for Windows shows the updates as installed correctly! I have run the Fix It utility provided by Microsoft with no joy. Any ideas?

Dell Inspiron 530; Vista Home Premium SP2

Answer 1

I think a clean install would be best here, too. I suspect that the data on D: drive would be preserved, yes, but best check with Dell Support for further guidance.

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100% trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of Windows.  Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of Vista: See the "If you want to reinstall Windows Vista by performing a clean installation..." section of http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-Vista (and/or contact Dell Support)

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting the machine to the internet or a local network  (i.e., other computers) and before using a flash drive or SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

     4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online

     http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029 manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: The McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial and download/run the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool before installing any updates, Windows Service Packs or IE upgrades and before installing your new anti-virus application (e.g., Microsoft Security Essentials; free).

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Answer 2

I tried that but still no joy. I also tried Sfc /scannow which reported no irregularities. Btw when i click on Programs and Features >Turn windows features on or off it displays a blank screen. I hope I can find a fix to avoid a Vista reinstall.

Answer 3

1. Download the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool, saving it to your desktop: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe 
2. Close all open applications (i.e., anything with an icon on the taskbar).
3. Right-click on the file you saved in #1 above and select Run as Administrator to run the utility. Don't TOUCH your keyboard until the run completes, then reboot.

Tip: Stop relying on Revo Uninstaller to uninstall software. Always use Add/Remove Programs or the application's own Uninstall file first.

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft

Answer 4

AV Free current version, Spybot, no 3rd party firewall. McAfee was pre-installed. I uninstalled it using Revo Uninstaller. I can't be certain but the background applications were probably running when I installed SP2.

I tried the link you suggested but the sfc scan did not find any irregularities. Windows features is still blank!

Answer 5

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?  What third-party firewall (if any)?  Were any of these applications running in the background when you installed SP2?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

Open Control Panel | Programs and Features: If the subsection Turn Windows features on or off is blank (empty), see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931712 

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft