Systems Center 2012: updates are still listed after uninstalling software

Problem

SharePoint Designer had been temporarily installed to a farm server to meet a specific need and subsequently uninstalled.  However, Systems Center 2012 R2 still listed numerous Microsoft Office and SharePoint Designer updates needing installation. 

Solution

1. Logon to the server as an administrator.
2. Navigate to Control Panel, and then open Configuration Manager.
3. Select the Actions tab.
4. Select each of these actions in turn, clicking the Run Now and popup prompt OK buttons each time:
• Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle
• Software Updates Deployment Evaluation Cycle
• Software Updates Scan Cycle.
  
5. Click OK, and then wait about five minutes.
6. On the Start panel, right-click and choose All apps.
7. In the Microsoft Systems Center 2012 R2 group, click Software Center

References

• Documentation Library for System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
• How to Initiate Policy Retrieval for a Configuration Manager Client: old, but still valid.