To roll back a Windows update, you need to uninstall the problematic update through the Settings app or, if your system won't boot, through the Windows Recovery Environment. This process removes the recent changes that are causing crashes, performance issues, or software incompatibility, restoring your system to its previous stable state.
Why you might need to roll back a Windows update
A Windows update can sometimes introduce software incompatibility, causing third-party applications to crash or malfunction. Hardware issues may also arise, where specific devices or drivers stop working correctly. System instability after an update, such as frequent freeze-ups, sudden reboots, or general sluggishness, is another common trigger. Rolling back the update resolves these problems by undoing the changes that caused them.
Before you start: back up your files
Always back up important personal files before attempting to roll back an update to prevent potential data loss, as applications and drivers installed after the update may be removed or require reinstallation.
How to roll back a Windows update from the desktop
This is the primary method when Windows is running normally.
- Open the Settings app. In Windows 10, navigate to "Update & Security"; in Windows 11, go to "Windows Update".
- Click "View update history" (Windows 10) or "Update history" (Windows 11).
- Select "Uninstall updates".
- From the list, choose the problematic update and click "Uninstall".
- Follow any on-screen prompts and restart your device.
How to roll back a Windows update when Windows won't boot
If Windows fails to start, you must use the recovery environment.
- Force shutdown the PC three times during startup to access the Windows Recovery Environment.
- Select "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options".
- Choose "Uninstall Updates".
- Select "Uninstall latest quality update" or "Uninstall latest feature update" as appropriate.
- Follow the prompts and restart your device.
How to go back to a previous version of Windows
The option to "Go back to the previous version of Windows" is available for feature updates, typically for a limited time after the upgrade. To use it, open Settings, go to "System", then "Recovery", and select "Go back". This method reverts your entire Windows version, but applications and drivers installed after the upgrade may be removed. Note that this option expires after the 10-day window.
How to stop the update from reinstalling
To prevent a recently uninstalled update from reinstalling, you can temporarily pause Windows updates through Settings. This gives you time to confirm system stability before allowing future updates.
