How To Remove Windows 11 Update

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Alright, let's dive into the process of removing Windows 11 updates. It can be necessary for various reasons, whether a recent update is causing system instability, software incompatibility, or you simply prefer to delay certain updates. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the different methods, step by step.

Step 1: Identifying the Update You Want to Remove

Before we begin, it's crucial to identify the specific Windows 11 update that you wish to uninstall. Are you looking to remove the latest quality update, a specific feature update, or perhaps just uninstall the most recent cumulative update? Knowing this will determine the method you need to follow. Let's find out!

How to Check Your Update History:

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, or click on the Start button on your taskbar.
  2. Type "Update history" in the search bar that appears.
  3. Click on "View update history" from the search results.

This window will display a list of all the updates that have been installed on your system, categorized by type (Quality Updates, Feature Updates, Driver Updates, etc.). Take a moment to scroll through and note down the name or KB number of the update you intend to remove.

Step 2: Removing the Latest Quality Update

Quality updates are the regular monthly updates that include security fixes and non-security improvements. If a recent quality update is causing issues, here's how to remove it:

2.1 Using the Settings App:

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + I simultaneously, or by searching for "Settings" in the Start menu.
  2. In the Settings app, navigate to "Windows Update" which is usually located at the bottom of the left-hand sidebar.
  3. Click on "Update history" on the right side of the window.
  4. Scroll down the Update history page and click on "Uninstall updates". This will open a new window showing a list of recently installed updates.
  5. In the "Uninstall an update" window, locate the specific quality update you want to remove. These are usually listed with their KB number (e.g., KB5032xxx).
  6. Right-click on the update you wish to uninstall and select "Uninstall" from the context menu.
  7. A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click "Uninstall" again to proceed.
  8. Windows will then begin the uninstallation process. Do not interrupt this process. Your computer may need to restart to complete the removal.

Important Note: You typically have a limited time window (usually 10 days) to uninstall a recently installed quality update. After this period, the uninstall option might not be available.

Step 3: Removing a Feature Update (Going Back to a Previous Windows 11 Version)

Feature updates are major updates that introduce new features and significant changes to the operating system. If you've recently upgraded to a new version of Windows 11 and are experiencing issues, you might want to revert to the previous version.

3.1 Using the Recovery Options:

  1. Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
  2. Navigate to "System" in the left-hand sidebar.
  3. Click on "Recovery" on the right side.
  4. Under the "Go back" section, you will see an option that says something like "Go back to the previous version of Windows". If this option is greyed out, it means the time window to revert has expired, or the necessary files have been removed.
  5. If the "Go back" button is available, click on it.
  6. Windows will ask you why you're going back to the previous version. Select a reason and click "Next".
  7. You'll be prompted to check for updates again. It's recommended to click "No, thanks" to proceed with the rollback.
  8. You'll be reminded that you'll need to know your password for your previous version of Windows. Click "Next".
  9. Finally, click "Go back to earlier build".

Your computer will restart and begin the process of reverting to your previous Windows 11 installation. This process can take some time, so be patient and do not interrupt it.

Conditions for the "Go Back" Option:

  • The previous Windows installation files must still be present on your system (usually stored in the "Windows.old" folder).
  • You haven't run Disk Cleanup and removed the "Previous Windows installation" files.
  • The time window (typically 10 days) since the feature update hasn't expired.

Step 4: Managing Future Updates to Prevent Unwanted Installations

While you can remove updates, it's often better to manage how and when updates are installed to avoid issues in the first place.

4.1 Pausing Updates:

  1. Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
  2. Go to "Windows Update".
  3. You'll see a "Pause updates" option. You can select a duration (up to 5 weeks) to temporarily stop updates from being installed.

4.2 Advanced Options for More Control:

  1. In the "Windows Update" settings, click on "Advanced options".
  2. Here, you can configure various update settings:
    • Pause updates: Similar to the main "Pause updates" option, but with more specific date selections.
    • Receive updates for other Microsoft products: Toggle this on or off based on your preference.
    • Download updates over metered connections: You can choose whether to allow downloads over Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections that have data limits.
    • Delivery Optimization: Configure how updates are delivered to your PC.
    • Active hours: Set a time range when you typically use your PC to prevent automatic restarts during those hours.

4.3 Using Group Policy Editor (for Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions):

The Group Policy Editor provides more granular control over Windows Updates.

  1. Press Windows key + R, type "gpedit.msc", and press Enter.
  2. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.  
  3. Here, you'll find various policies you can configure, such as:
    • Configure Automatic Updates: Allows you to set how updates are downloaded and installed. You can choose options like "Notify for download and auto install" or "Auto download and notify for install".
    • Select the target Feature Update version: This allows you to specify a target version of Windows 11 and prevent upgrades to newer versions.
    • Select the target Quality Update version: This allows you to delay or target specific quality updates.

Caution: Incorrectly configuring Group Policy settings can lead to unexpected behavior. Use this tool with care.

Step 5: Dealing with Persistent Update Issues

If you continue to experience problems with Windows Updates, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

5.1 Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter:

  1. Open the Settings app (Windows key + I).
  2. Go to "System" and then "Troubleshoot".
  3. Click on "Other troubleshooters".
  4. Find "Windows Update" in the list and click "Run" next to it.
  5. The troubleshooter will attempt to identify and fix common problems with Windows Update. Follow any on-screen instructions.

5.2 Resetting Windows Update Components:

Sometimes, the Windows Update service or its associated files can become corrupted. Resetting these components can resolve various update issues. This involves using the Command Prompt.

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for "cmd" in the Start menu, right-click on "Command Prompt", and select "Run as administrator".  
  2. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: 
    net stop wuauserv
  net stop bits
  net stop appidsvc
  net stop cryptsvc
  Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*" /f /q
  ren %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.old
  net start wuauserv
  net start bits
  net start appidsvc
  net start cryptsvc
  3. After running these commands, restart your computer and try running Windows Update again.

Explanation of the commands:

  • net stop: Stops the specified Windows services.
  • Del: Deletes files in the specified directory.
  • ren: Renames the specified folders.
  • net start: Starts the specified Windows services.

By renaming the SoftwareDistribution and catroot2 folders, you are essentially forcing Windows Update to recreate them, potentially resolving any corruption issues.

Step 6: Considering Third-Party Tools (Use with Caution)

While Windows provides built-in tools for managing updates, some third-party applications offer more advanced control. However, it's crucial to exercise caution when using such tools and only download them from reputable sources. Incorrectly used third-party software can lead to system instability. We won't recommend specific tools here, but be aware that they exist.

Step 7: Backing Up Your System (Highly Recommended)

Before making significant changes to your system, especially when uninstalling updates or modifying update settings, it's always a good idea to create a system restore point or a full system backup. This will allow you to revert your system to a previous working state if anything goes wrong.

How to Create a System Restore Point:

  1. Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start menu and open it.
  2. In the "System Properties" window, under the "System Protection" tab, ensure that protection is turned on for your system drive (usually C:). If it's off, click "Configure", select "Turn on system protection", and adjust the disk space usage.
  3. Click the "Create..." button.
  4. Enter a descriptive name for your restore point and click "Create".
  5. Once the restore point is created, click "Close".

If you encounter issues after removing an update, you can use System Restore to go back to this point.

Step 8: Monitoring Your System After Removing an Update

After successfully removing an update, monitor your system closely to ensure that the issues you were experiencing are resolved and that no new problems have emerged.

Step 9: Providing Feedback to Microsoft

If a particular update caused issues for you, consider providing feedback to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub app. This can help them identify and fix problems in future updates.

  1. Search for "Feedback Hub" in the Start menu and open the app.
  2. Click "Add new feedback".
  3. Describe the issue you experienced after the update, including the KB number of the update if possible.
  4. Select the appropriate category and subcategory for your feedback.
  5. You can also choose to include diagnostic data.
  6. Click "Submit".

Step 10: Staying Informed About Updates

Keep yourself informed about upcoming Windows 11 updates and their potential impact. You can follow tech news websites, forums, and Microsoft's official communication channels to stay updated.

Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)

Here are 10 frequently asked questions about removing Windows 11 updates:

How to check which Windows 11 update is causing problems?

Quick Answer: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history and review the recently installed updates. Try to recall when the issues started to narrow down the problematic update.

How to uninstall the latest Windows 11 security update?

Quick Answer: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. Locate the security update (usually listed with a KB number), right-click on it, and select Uninstall.

How to go back to a previous build of Windows 11 after a feature update?

Quick Answer: Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click the "Go back" button under "Go back to the previous version of Windows" if the option is available (within the 10-day window).

How to prevent Windows 11 from automatically installing updates?

Quick Answer: Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options and adjust the settings, such as pausing updates or configuring active hours. For more control, use the Group Policy Editor (Pro editions).

How to hide a specific Windows 11 update from being installed again?

Quick Answer: Microsoft provides a troubleshooter tool that allows you to hide or show updates. Search online for "Show or hide updates troubleshooter" from Microsoft and run it.

How to remove the "Windows.old" folder after uninstalling an update?

Quick Answer: Open Disk Cleanup (search for it in the Start menu), select your system drive, and check the "Previous Windows installation(s)" option. Click "OK" to remove it. Note: This will prevent you from easily going back to the previous version.

How to know if the time window to uninstall a Windows 11 update has expired?

Quick Answer: If the "Uninstall" option is greyed out in Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates for a quality update, or if the "Go back" button is unavailable in Settings > System > Recovery, the time window has likely expired.

How to create a system restore point before uninstalling a Windows 11 update?

Quick Answer: Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start menu, open it, and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new restore point under the "System Protection" tab.

How to check if a removed Windows 11 update is still partially installed?

Quick Answer: After uninstalling, restart your computer and then go back to Settings > Windows Update > Update history to see if the update is no longer listed as installed.

How to report a problematic Windows 11 update to Microsoft?

Quick Answer: Use the Feedback Hub app (search for it in the Start menu) to submit your feedback, detailing the issues you encountered with the specific update.

Removing Windows 11 updates can be a necessary step in troubleshooting system issues. By following these steps carefully and understanding the implications of each method, you can effectively manage the updates on your computer. Remember to always back up your system before making significant changes!

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How To Remove Windows 11 Update

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