How to Uninstall a Windows Update on Windows 11
A Windows 11 update broke something? Uninstall it from Update history, or from recovery if the PC won't boot. Here's how, and how to stop it reinstalling.
If a Windows 11 update caused trouble — a crash, a broken driver, a feature you dislike — you can remove it. For a normal quality update, go to Settings, Windows Update, Update history, and Uninstall updates. If the PC will not boot, you can do the same from the recovery environment.
Uninstall from Settings
Open Settings, Windows Update, Update history, and scroll to Uninstall updates. Pick the update — quality updates are listed by their KB number and date — and click Uninstall. It removes the update without touching your files or apps, and it needs an administrator account. This is the route for the monthly quality updates that cause most post-update problems.
| Situation | Where | Action |
|---|---|---|
| PC still boots | Settings > Windows Update > Update history | Uninstall updates |
| PC won’t boot | Recovery (WinRE) | Uninstall latest quality/feature update |
| A feature update (e.g. 25H2) | Settings > System > Recovery | Go back (within 10 days) |
| Stop it returning | Settings > Windows Update | Pause updates |
When the PC won’t boot
If the update left Windows unbootable, force a shutdown three times to reach the recovery environment, then choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Uninstall Updates, and pick Uninstall latest quality update (or feature update). That undoes the most recent patch without a working desktop. If Windows hangs on the update itself rather than after it, a stuck Windows Update is the guide for that.
Feature updates and stopping a reinstall
A big feature update, like 24H2 to 25H2, is not in the Uninstall updates list. Instead, within 10 days of installing it, go to Settings, System, Recovery, and choose Go back — it keeps your files but removes apps and drivers added since the upgrade. After 10 days that button is greyed out. Whatever you remove, Windows will try to reinstall it, so use Settings, Windows Update, Pause updates to hold it off while you sort out the cause. It also helps to know whether to install updates right away, and if the update was making the PC unstable, why Windows 11 keeps freezing covers that side.
Uninstall a quality update from Update history, roll a feature update back with Go back inside 10 days, and pause updates so it does not return before you are ready. If the update left the PC unbootable, the recovery environment does the same job.
Common questions
Why is “Uninstall updates” greyed out or asking for an administrator?
You are likely on a standard account, or the update is permanent or past its rollback window. Sign in as an administrator, or run wusa /uninstall /kb:NNNNNNN from an elevated Command Prompt with the update’s KB number.
How do I uninstall an update when the PC won’t boot?
Force a shutdown three times to enter the recovery environment, then choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, Uninstall Updates, and pick Uninstall latest quality update or feature update.
How do I remove a feature update like 25H2?
Within 10 days, go to Settings, System, Recovery, and choose Go back; it keeps your files but removes apps and drivers added after the upgrade. After 10 days you need a repair install from an ISO instead.
How do I stop the update reinstalling itself?
After removing it, open Settings, Windows Update, and Pause updates. The update comes back automatically once the pause ends, unless a newer one has replaced it.