This guide explains how to roll back Windows update using safe, step-by-step methods. Whether you need to know how to roll back Windows 10/11 update or fix issues after an upgrade, follow these proven solutions to restore system stability without data loss.
If your system begins to behave abnormally after installing a recent patch, it may be time to consider how to roll back Windows update to restore stability. Rolling back is most appropriate when the update clearly introduces new problems rather than resolving existing ones. However, many users worry that reverting an update might delete personal files or affect installed applications. The good news is that, when done correctly, you can roll back a Windows update without losing data.
Common scenarios where a rollback is justified include:
🛠️System instability or boot failures: frequent crashes, blue screens, or the PC failing to start normally after the update.
🛠️Driver or hardware conflicts: devices such as graphics cards, Wi-Fi adapters, or printers stop working or show errors.
🛠️Severe performance degradation: noticeable slowdowns, high CPU usage, or lag that began immediately after updating.
🛠️Software compatibility issues: critical applications or games fail to launch or function correctly post-update.
🛠️Feature or UI problems: missing settings, broken Windows features, or abnormal system behavior tied to the recent update.
Once you’ve confirmed the update is the likely cause, the next step is choosing the most appropriate rollback method. The solutions below move from least intrusive to most comprehensive, helping you restore system stability while minimizing risk to data and installed programs.
The most direct way to roll back a problematic patch is to uninstall it from Windows Update History. This method targets specific quality or feature updates without affecting personal files or most applications. It is ideal when the issue began immediately after a known update and the system is still bootable. Because it only removes the selected update package, it is typically the safest first step.
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update" > "View update history".
Step 2. Click "Uninstall updates" to view all the recently installed updates.
Step 3. Locate the most recent update and right click on it, and choose "Uninstall".
Step 4. Restart your PC and check whether the issue is resolved.
If the graphical interface fails or the update does not appear in Settings, you can remove it using the Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA) via Command Prompt. This approach gives more control and works well for stubborn updates that refuse to uninstall normally. It still preserves user data and is suitable for advanced users comfortable with command-line operations.
Step 1. Type Command Prompt in Windows search box and right-click it, and select "Run as administrator".
Step 2. Enter "wmic qfe list brief /format:table" to identify the KB number of the update.
Step 3. Type "wusa /uninstall /kb:XXX" to remove the target update (replace the KB number with the actual update number).
Step 4. Restart the computer after the removal completes.
When a major feature update causes widespread issues, Windows provides a built-in "Go back" option that restores the previous OS build. This method keeps personal files intact while reverting system components and drivers. It is most effective within the rollback window (usually 10 days after upgrading) and requires that the Windows.old folder still exists.
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "System" > "Recovery".
Step 2. Under "Recovery options", click "Go back".
Step 3. Select a reason and follow the on-screen prompts to roll back Windows to previous version.
If your computer fails to boot properly after updating, you can also roll back Windows to a previous build from WinRE. Go to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Go back to the previous version", then simply follow the on-screen instructions.
If Windows cannot boot normally after the update, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment to uninstall the latest update offline. This method is designed for serious startup failures and allows rollback without entering the full OS. It is more advanced but very effective when the system is stuck in a boot loop or crash cycle.
Step 1. Force the PC into recovery mode (interrupt boot three times) or boot from installation media.
Step 2. Choose "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Uninstall Updates".
Step 3. Select "Uninstall latest quality update" or "Uninstall latest feature update". You can choose the appropriate update type to uninstall according to your actual situation.
Step 4. Confirm and restart after the process finishes.
System Restore can revert Windows system files, drivers, and registry settings to an earlier restore point created before the update. This method is useful when update removal alone does not fix deeper system instability. Personal files remain untouched, but recently installed apps or drivers may be removed.
Step 1. Type "Create a restore point" in the Search box and open "System Properties" window.
Step 2. Click "System Restore" and choose a restore point dated before the update.
Step 3. Review the affected programs list by clicking on "Scan for affected programs" and click "Finish".
Step 4. Confirm to begin the restoration and allow the PC to reboot. Check if Windows has been restored to the version before the update.
If you want to restore the system to its original factory state, "Reset this PC" reinstalls Windows while giving you the option to keep personal files. However, this method will remove all installed updates and applications, and you cannot selectively roll the system back to a specific state.
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Recovery".
Step 2. Click "Get started" under "Reset this PC" section.
Step 3. Choose "Keep my files" to reserve all the personal files in C: \Users. Files in other partitions will not be affected.
Step 4. Select "Cloud download" or "Local reinstall" based on your needs.
Step 5. Confirm the reset setting and click "Next" to continue the process. You can check the programs that will be removed by clicking "View apps that will be removed". Then click "Reset" to start the process.
Then, you can reinstall all updates according to your needs.
A clean installation is the final fallback when the system is severely damaged or rollback options are unavailable (beyond 10 days). This process completely removes the current Windows installation and installs an earlier version from scratch. Because it erases apps and potentially data, it should only be used after backing up important files.
Step 1. Create a installation media (USB recommended) with Media Creation tool on another computer.
Step 2. Boot the computer from the USB and click "Install Now" to continue the process.
Step 3. Select "Custom: Install Windows only" and choose a partition to install Windows. Select and delete the partitions on the system drive one by one. This will erase all data on the hard drive, so you’d better back up important personal data on the C drive before clean install.
Step 4. Windows will automatically create new partitions and begin the installation.
Although most rollback methods are designed to preserve personal files, data loss can still occur in edge cases, especially after factory reset your computer or a clean installation. If you notice missing documents, game files, or project folders after rolling back Windows, stop writing new data to the affected drive immediately to prevent overwriting.
At this stage, a professional recovery solution like MyRecover can help you retrieve lost files quickly and safely. MyRecover is built specifically for Windows environments and supports recovery from update-related data loss, accidental deletion, system resets, and file system corruption. Its deep scan technology will not miss a single file.
Step 1. Download and install MyRecover from Microsoft Store or the official website. Avoid installing it on the drive where data was lost.
Step 2. Launch MyRecover and select the affected partition (such as the system drive), and click "Scan" to search for the recoverable files.
Step 3. Wait for the scan to complete. You can use "Filter" feature or the search box to quickly locate missing files or folders. Choose the files you would like to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".
Step 4. Then, choose a different drive as the destination to save the recovered files.
When the process is completed, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can check the recovered files in the destination folder by clicking on the "Browse" button.
In summary, rolling back a Windows update is an effective way to restore system stability when problems arise after patch installation. If data loss occurs during the rollback process, act quickly and use a reliable recovery tool like MyRecover to maximize retrieval success. By following the step-by-step approaches, you can safely revert problematic updates while protecting your files and system integrity.