How to Uninstall a Windows 11 Update

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How to Uninstall a Windows 11 Update

Most Windows updates install quietly and fix more than they break. But sometimes, right after an update, a printer stops working, a game crashes, or the PC won't start properly. Removing that one update is often the quickest way back to a working PC while Microsoft or the device maker fixes the problem.

Before you start: removing a security update leaves your PC exposed to whatever it fixed. Microsoft advises making sure you understand the risks, and only uninstalling when an update clearly caused a problem. Plan to reinstall it once a fix is out.

Step 1: Find Out Which Update Arrived

Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history.
Look at the dates. The update installed just before the problem started is the likely culprit. Note its KB number (for example KB5012345).

Search the KB number online with the word "known issues" - Microsoft lists known problems for each monthly update on its release health pages. Sometimes the fix is a simple workaround, not an uninstall.

Step 2: Uninstall the Update From Settings

These are Microsoft's steps:

Open Settings > Windows Update.
Under More options, select Update history.
Under Related settings, select Uninstall updates.
Find the update by its KB number and select Uninstall, then confirm.
Restart the PC when asked.

Microsoft notes that some updates cannot be uninstalled - if there's no Uninstall button, try the recovery method below or the other options at the end of this guide.

Step 3: If Windows Won't Start, Use the Recovery Screen

When an update leaves the PC stuck at boot, you can remove it from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):

Get to the recovery screen. If Windows fails to start twice in a row, it usually opens Automatic Repair by itself; choose Advanced options. If you can reach the sign-in screen, hold Shift and select Power > Restart.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
Choose Uninstall latest quality update (the monthly patch) or Uninstall latest feature update (a Windows version upgrade).
Follow the prompts and let the PC restart.

If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, you may be asked for the recovery key - see how to find your BitLocker recovery key. If even this screen doesn't help, starting Windows 11 in Safe Mode lets you remove the update from Settings with fewer things running.

Rolling Back a Whole Windows Version

If the problem came with a big version upgrade (for example to a new 2xH2 release), you can return to the previous version for a limited time:

Open Settings > System > Recovery.
Select Go back, if it's offered, and answer the questions.

Windows keeps the old version for only about 10 days after the upgrade, and the option disappears if you ran Disk Cleanup on the old files. Apps or settings changed since the upgrade may need redoing. Back up first.

After Uninstalling: Stop It Coming Straight Back

Windows Update will try to reinstall the update you removed. To give the maker time to fix it:

Pause updates for one to several weeks in Settings > Windows Update > Pause updates. See how to pause Windows 11 updates safely.
Check the device maker's support site for a new driver if the problem was a printer, graphics card or audio device.
Resume updates once the known issue is listed as resolved, so you don't miss later security fixes.

Other Ways Back

System Restore returns system files, drivers and settings to a restore point made before the update, without touching your documents: how to use System Restore in Windows 11.
Update won't install at all? That's a different problem - see Windows Update stuck or failing.
Nothing works: Settings > System > Recovery > Reset this PC with Keep my files reinstalls Windows but removes your apps. Back up first.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is there no Uninstall button for some updates?

Microsoft says some updates can't be uninstalled, usually because they include parts Windows needs to install future updates. In that case try the recovery screen option, System Restore, or wait for a fixed update.

Will uninstalling an update delete my files?

No. Removing an update takes away the update's changes to Windows, not your documents or photos. It's still wise to have a backup before any repair.

Will the update just install itself again?

Yes, Windows Update will offer it again. Pause updates for a week or two while you wait for a fix, then let it install.

What's the difference between a quality update and a feature update?

Quality updates are the regular monthly fixes and security patches. Feature updates move Windows to a new version, such as 24H2 to 25H2.