Rolling back a Windows 11 update can be a fair dinkum lifesaver if your system’s acting up after the latest patch. Sometimes, those updates cause more grief than they’re worth—like weird crashes, hardware dramas, or just feeling sluggish. The process isn’t too tricky, but it can be a bit of a hassle since Windows doesn’t make it obvious straight away. Here’s what’s worked on some setups, though honestly, it can be a bit of a hit-or-miss sometimes.
How to Roll Back a Windows 11 Update
First off, why bother? Well, if your PC suddenly starts crashing, slowing down, or acting funny after an update, undoing that last patch might just bring things back to normal. It’s not a sure thing, but often it’s worth a shot before diving into more complicated stuff like system restores or reinstalling Windows.
Step 1: Open Settings
Hit Start and then click on Settings. Or just press Windows key + I. Find and click Windows Update—it’s usually in the side menu or just search for it if you can’t spot it quick as.
This is where you can have a squiz at your update history and all that good (or bad) info.
Step 2: Go to Windows Update
Once inside Settings > Windows Update, look for the link that says View update history. It’s where Windows keeps tabs on everything installed recently.
Step 3: View Update History
Click on View update history. You’ll see a list of installed updates, including feature updates, quality updates, and driver updates. It’s pretty handy to know what’s causing the dramas, so sorting through this list can help decide what to uninstall.
Step 4: Uninstall Updates
Scroll down or find the link called Uninstall updates. Clicking that opens a control panel list—this is where Windows shows you all recent updates you can uninstall if needed.
Here’s the tricky bit: not all updates are listed here, especially some critical or cumulative patches. But if your problematic update shows up, this is where you remove it.
Step 5: Pick the Update to Remove
Find the update that caused the trouble, select it, then click Uninstall. Windows will ask for confirmation—just follow the prompts. Sometimes, you’ll need to restart afterward, so save your work before hitting ‘restart’.
On some machines, this process isn’t completely smooth—sometimes it fails the first time, or you get an error. A quick reboot can fix that, or you might need to run a system restore if things get a bit dodgy.
Remember, uninstalling updates rolls back your system to a previous state, but if issues stick around after that, you might want to have a look at system restore points or even more drastic measures like resetting Windows.
Tips for Rolling Back Windows 11 Update
- Always back up your personal files first — just in case. Windows makes it a bit fiddly, so better safe than sorry.
- Make sure your PC’s plugged in—losing power mid-uninstall can cause bigger dramas.
- Think about why the update’s causing grief—sometimes conflicts come down to incompatible software or drivers.
- After uninstalling, keep an eye on your system. If problems keep cropping up, consider restoring from a system restore point made before the update.
- Keeping drivers updated can help prevent some conflicts, though ironically, updates can also break drivers.
FAQs
Can I roll back any Windows 11 update?
Not every update — especially major feature updates or security patches — can be rolled back. Check your update history; if the option to uninstall isn’t there, you might be out of luck with just this method.
How long do I have to roll back an update?
Usually, Windows gives you about 10 days to undo a feature update. After that, the rollback options tend to vanish, so it’s best to act quick.
Will I lose my data if I roll back an update?
Nope, your personal files should stay where they are. But it’s always best to back up first — better safe than sorry.
What if I can’t find the uninstall option?
If it’s missing, you might need to look into system restore or boot into safe mode to remove troublesome updates or fixes.
Is rolling back the same as factory resetting?
Nope. Rolling back only removes recent updates, leaving most of your stuff alone. Factory reset wipes everything clean — so use that as a last resort.
Summary
- Open Settings and head to Windows Update.
- Click on View update history.
- Select Uninstall updates.
- Pick the update that’s causing the issues.
- Follow the prompts, restart if needed, and see if things improve.
Conclusion
Honestly, rolling back a Windows 11 update isn’t hard work, but Windows can make it a bit of a maze. When an update turns your PC into a bit of a worry, this method can often set things straight—like a bit of tech magic, but with a few extra steps. Just remember, keeping your system, drivers, and apps up-to-date generally saves a lot of headaches, but sometimes, things slip through the net. That’s when this comes in handy. It’s pretty satisfying to know that, in a pinch, you can undo the latest changes and get things back to normal.
Fingers crossed this helps — it’s worked for plenty of others on different setups.
Final
🥳 Summary
- Update? Check above — see what you can undo.
- Back up first. Always.
- Restart after uninstalling — sometimes that’s all it takes.
- If needed, don’t hesitate to explore system restore.
Hope this saves someone a fair bit of hassle. Cheers!