Troubleshooting Windows Updates: Practical Tips with the Show or Hide (wushowhide) Tool

Troubleshooting Windows Updates: Practical Tips with the Show or Hide (wushowhide) Tool

Windows Update sometimes installs drivers or feature updates that cause problems. Microsoft’s “Show or Hide Updates” troubleshooter (wushowhide) helps you block specific updates from installing or reappearing. This guide explains what the tool does, when to use it, and step‑by‑step instructions plus practical tips and precautions.

What wushowhide does

• Blocks specific updates: Prevents a particular update (including drivers) from installing automatically.
• Unblocks updates: Allows previously hidden updates to be offered again.
• Does not uninstall updates: It prevents future installs; already installed updates must be removed separately via Settings or Control Panel.

When to use it

• A newly installed update or driver breaks hardware, apps, or booting.
• You want to delay a problematic feature update until a fix is available.
• A specific optional driver repeatedly reinstalling causes regressions.

Before you start — quick checklist

• Create a restore point or a system image (recommended).
• Note the problematic update’s KB number or driver name if known.
• Have admin rights on the PC.
• Temporarily pause automatic updates if you want time to test changes (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update).

How to download wushowhide

1. Visit Microsoft’s official download page for the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter (search for “wushowhide.diagcab Microsoft”).
2. Download the troubleshooter file (wushowhide.diagcab) and save it to a convenient folder.

Using wushowhide — step by step

1. Double‑click wushowhide.diagcab to run it.
2. Click Next on the welcome screen; the tool will scan for available updates.
3. Choose Hide updates to prevent specific updates from installing.
   • Select the update(s) or driver(s) you want to hide and click Next.
   • Wait for the tool to apply changes; it will report success or failure.
4. To reverse a hide, run the tool again and choose Show hidden updates (or Troubleshoot my computer then Show hidden updates), select the update, and click Next.
5. After un-hiding, run Windows Update to install it manually if desired.

Practical tips

• Identify the update precisely: Use the KB number (e.g., KB500xxx) or driver version to avoid hiding unrelated fixes.
• Hide drivers cautiously: Hardware drivers from Windows Update are convenient, but blocking them may leave hardware without important fixes.
• Combine with update pause: After hiding an update, pause Windows Update for a few days to avoid re-detection while troubleshooting.
• If an update already installed: Uninstall it first (Settings > Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates), reboot, then use wushowhide to keep it from reinstalling.
• Document changes: Keep a short log of hidden updates and why you hid them, for future reference.
• Test on one machine first: For business environments, test blocks on a pilot machine before wider deployment.

When wushowhide may fail

• The update is a security/critical patch that Windows enforces — such updates may not be hideable.
• Group Policy or enterprise management tools (WSUS, Intune) override local hide settings.
• The troubleshooter can’t detect certain patched components; manual removal or driver rollbacks may be required.

Alternatives for enterprises

• Use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) to control update deployment across many devices.
• Use Group Policy to defer quality or feature updates in managed environments.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Tool reports failure: Run as Administrator and retry; temporarily disable third‑party security software that might block the tool.
• Hidden update still installs: Check if enterprise management (WSUS/Intune) is forcing updates; verify pause status and re-run wushowhide.
• No success removing a faulty driver: Use Device Manager to roll back or uninstall the driver, check “Delete the driver software for this device” if present, then hide via wushowhide.

Quick recovery steps if an update breaks your PC

1. Boot to Safe Mode (if necessary).
2. Uninstall the update from Settings > Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates or use System Restore.
3. Run wushowhide to block the update from reinstalling.
4. Reboot and test.

Summary

wushowhide is a simple, effective tool for blocking specific Windows updates or drivers that cause problems. Use it alongside cautious testing, restore points, and, in business settings, centralized update controls for safer, more predictable update management.