You’ve just installed a Windows update, but now your computer is slow, an application is crashing, or your audio has disappeared. While Windows updates are crucial for security and performance, a faulty update can sometimes cause significant problems. Fortunately, Windows provides several ways to go back.
This guide will walk you through the safest methods to roll back a Windows update that is causing issues on your PC. It’s a process I’ve had to use myself on occasion, and knowing the right steps can turn a major headache into a manageable fix.
Crucial First Step: Back Up Important Files Before you begin, if you can access your desktop, back up any recent, important files to an external drive or cloud service. While these processes are generally safe, it’s always wise to protect your data before making system-level changes.
Understanding the Two Types of Windows Updates
It’s helpful to know that Windows has two main types of updates, as the rollback method can differ:
- Feature Updates: These are the large, twice-yearly updates (like updating from Windows 10 version 22H2 to a newer version) that add major new features.
- Quality Updates: These are the smaller, more frequent monthly updates (often called “Cumulative Updates”) that include security patches and bug fixes. Most problems are caused by these updates.
Method 1: The “Go back” Feature (For Major Feature Updates – 10-Day Limit)
If you’ve just installed a major Feature Update and are having problems, Windows has a built-in “Go back” option.
Important Limitation: This option is only available for 10 days after you install a feature update. After 10 days, Windows deletes the old files to save space, and this option will be grayed out.
How to Use the “Go back” Feature:
- Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.
- Navigate to the correct section:
- On Windows 11: Go to System > Recovery.
- On Windows 10: Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
- You will see a Go back button. If it’s clickable, select it.
- Windows will ask why you are going back. Select a reason, click Next, and follow the on-screen prompts.
The process will take some time, and your computer will restart. It will be restored to the version of Windows you had before the major feature update.
Method 2: Uninstalling a Recent Quality Update (Most Common Fix)
If your issue started after a recent monthly update, you can uninstall it directly. This is the most common solution for update-related problems.
- Open Settings (Windows key + I).
- Go to Windows Update.
- Select Update history.
- Scroll down and click on Uninstall updates.
- A new window will open showing a list of your recently installed updates. Identify the problematic update by looking at its name (e.g., “Update for Microsoft Windows (KB503XXXX)”) and its installation date.
- Select the update you want to remove and click the Uninstall button that appears.
- Confirm your choice and let the process complete. You will need to restart your PC.
Method 3: Using Advanced Startup (If You Can’t Boot Into Windows)
What if the bad update prevents your PC from starting up properly? You can uninstall updates from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
How to Access WinRE:
- Windows will often automatically launch into WinRE after three consecutive failed boot attempts.
- Alternatively, you can turn your computer on, and as soon as you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button to force a shutdown. Repeat this process two or three times.
How to Uninstall Updates from WinRE:
- Once you are in the blue WinRE screen, select Troubleshoot.
- Choose Advanced options.
- Select Uninstall Updates.
- You will now have two choices:
- Uninstall latest quality update: Choose this first, as it’s the most likely culprit.
- Uninstall latest feature update: Choose this if a major update is preventing your system from booting (and you are within the 10-day window).
- Follow the prompts and sign in to your account if required. The update will be removed, and you can then restart your PC.
After the Rollback: Prevent the Update from Reinstalling
Once you’ve removed the problematic update, Windows will try to reinstall it again. You need to temporarily pause updates to give Microsoft time to release a fix.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update.
- You will see an option to Pause updates. You can typically pause them for one to five weeks.
- Select your desired duration from the dropdown menu.
This will stop Windows from downloading new updates for the period you select, preventing the same problem from happening again right away. Check for news on the update in a week or two to see if a revised version has been released.
By following these methods, you can safely roll back a Windows update and regain control of your computer, turning a frustrating experience into a solvable problem.