How to Roll Back a Problematic Windows 11 Update Safely
Windows updates improve system stability, enhance performance, and patch security vulnerabilities. However, some updates can cause unexpected problems, such as system crashes, app failures, or performance slowdowns. If your Windows 11 device started acting up after a recent update, rolling back that update may be the best solution.
We will show you how to identify and uninstall problematic updates safely on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. We’ll also introduce a tool that can help fix any lingering issues caused by those updates.
Why You Might Need to Roll Back a Windows Update
Some updates, especially feature updates or cumulative patches, can lead to problems, including:
- System instability or crashes
- Compatibility issues with drivers or applications
- Audio, display, or network malfunctions
- Decreased performance or boot failures
If your system was working fine before a recent update, the new patch likely introduced the issue.
How to Roll Back a Windows 11 Update Safely
Windows provides built-in tools to remove recent updates. Below are the step-by-step instructions to do this safely.
Step 1: Identify the Problematic Update
- Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Windows Update > Update history.
- Review recently installed updates under “Quality Updates” or “Driver Updates.”
- Take note of the KB number or installation date.
Step 2: Uninstall the Update Using Settings
For both Windows 11 and Windows 10:
- Open Settings and go to Windows Update > Update history.
- Scroll down to Related settings and click Uninstall updates.
- A Control Panel window will appear listing installed updates.
- Right-click the update you want to remove and select Uninstall.
- Restart your computer when prompted.
Step 3: Roll Back a Feature Update (Version Downgrade)
If the issue started after a major update (for example, upgrading from 22H2 to 23H2), you can revert to the previous version:
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, click Go back.
- Select a reason for uninstalling the update and follow the prompts.
- Windows will begin restoring the previous version.
Note: This option is only available within 10 days of installing the feature update.
Step 4: Pause Updates Temporarily
To prevent Windows from reinstalling the problematic update:
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Under Pause updates, choose how long to pause future updates.
- To pause for longer, go to Advanced options and defer updates for additional weeks.
Step 5: Use Fortect to Repair System Damage After Rollback
How to Use Fortect to Fix Issues After Uninstalling a Windows Update
Even after rolling back an update, you may still face system instability, corrupted files, or hardware driver issues. Fortect can help by:
- Scanning for and repairing corrupted system files
- Fixing registry issues and optimizing performance
- Removing malware that may have entered during or after the update
- Updating or repairing outdated and damaged drivers automatically
Fortect also includes a built-in driver updater that identifies and replaces corrupted or outdated drivers, helping you prevent future update-related malfunctions.
Download and install Fortect now.
Tips to Prevent Windows Update Issues in the Future
- Always create a restore point before installing major updates
- Enable System Restore for fast recovery
- Delay updates for a few weeks to avoid newly introduced bugs
- Keep drivers updated to ensure compatibility
- Use Fortect regularly to monitor and maintain system health
Conclusion
When a Windows update causes issues, rolling it back is often the quickest way to restore stability. Thankfully, both Windows 10 and 11 offer straightforward options to uninstall updates or downgrade versions. After rolling back, it’s smart to clean up any residual problems, such as damaged system files or driver errors, using a trusted tool like Fortect.
Rolling back an update stops the issue. Fortect helps prevent it from coming back.
