If your PC started acting up right after a Windows 11 update, you’re not imagining it.
Updates are meant to fix things, but sometimes they introduce new problems instead.
This guide walks you through safely undoing or rolling back a Windows 11 update, step by step, without risking your system or data.
Take this slowly. Every step here is reversible.
What This Problem Usually Looks Like
After a recent update, you might notice:
- Your PC is suddenly slow or laggy
- Apps crash or refuse to open
- Wi-Fi, sound, or Bluetooth stops working
- The system restarts unexpectedly
- Shutdown doesn’t work properly
In real-world troubleshooting, these issues often appear within a day or two of an update, not gradually. That timing matters.
Why Windows Updates Sometimes Cause Issues
Windows updates change core system files, drivers, and background services.
Most of the time this goes smoothly.
Occasionally, it doesn’t. Common reasons include:
- A driver included in the update doesn’t like your hardware
- A background service conflicts with existing software
- The update didn’t finish cleanly, especially after forced restarts
This doesn’t mean your PC is broken. It usually means the update isn’t a good fit yet.
Before You Undo Anything (Quick Safety Check)
You don’t need to panic here.
Uninstalling a Windows update does not delete your personal files, apps, or settings. It simply removes recent system changes.
That said, there are a few things to avoid:
Guardrail:
Do not download “Windows repair” or “update remover” tools. They often cause more damage than the update itself and make problems harder to undo.
Do not disable random services or edit the registry hoping it helps. This frequently turns a temporary issue into a long-term one.
Stick to the built-in Windows tools below.
Option 1: Uninstall the Latest Windows Update (Safest First Step)
This works best if your PC still boots normally.
Step 1: Open Windows Update History
- Press Windows + I to open Settings
- Go to Windows Update
- Click Update history
- Select Uninstall updates
You’ll see a list of recently installed updates.
If this list looks confusing, that’s normal. In day-to-day troubleshooting, the most recent quality update is usually the one that causes trouble, even if several updates are listed.
Step 2: Uninstall the Most Recent Quality Update
Look for entries labeled “Quality Update” (often starting with “KB”).
- Select the most recent one
- Click Uninstall
- Restart your PC when prompted
What to expect:
Your system may take a little longer to restart. That’s normal.
In many cases, performance or stability improves immediately after reboot.
If / then check:
If your PC works normally after restarting, then the update was the cause—and you can stop here.
Option 2: Roll Back the Update Using Recovery (If Things Are Worse)
Use this if:
- Your PC won’t boot properly
- You’re stuck in restart loops
- Windows loads but is barely usable
Step 1: Open Advanced Startup
- Hold Shift
- Click Restart
- Keep holding Shift until the recovery screen appears
Seeing this recovery screen does not mean Windows is damaged. This is a normal repair environment built into the system.
Step 2: Uninstall the Update from Recovery
Follow this path:
Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Uninstall Updates
You’ll see two choices:
- Uninstall latest quality update (always try this first)
- Uninstall latest feature update (use only if the quality update didn’t help)
Guardrail:
Avoid uninstalling a feature update unless necessary. Feature updates roll back larger system changes and should be treated as a last resort.
What to expect:
The process can take several minutes. The screen may go black or appear stuck—this is normal. Do not force the PC off during this step, as interrupting it can corrupt system files.
Second If / Then Check
If the rollback completes but the same issues remain, then the update was likely not the root cause. At that point, stop rolling back updates and move on to deeper troubleshooting.
Important Timing Limitation (Easy to Miss)
Windows only allows full rollbacks for a limited time.
If it’s been more than 10 days since a major feature update, the rollback option may be unavailable. That’s expected behavior, not an error.
This is why addressing update-related issues early often leads to cleaner fixes.
Pro Tip: Prevent the Same Update From Reinstalling Immediately
After uninstalling an update, Windows may try to reinstall it automatically.
To avoid this loop:
- Go to Settings → Windows Update
- Click Pause updates
- Pause for 1–2 weeks
In practice, many problematic updates get quietly patched within days.
When You Should Not Roll Back
Avoid uninstalling updates if:
- The issue existed before the update
- You’re troubleshooting malware or storage problems
- The PC only slows down during heavy multitasking
Rolling back won’t help in these cases and can delay the real fix.
Final Reassurance
If you’re worried about “breaking Windows,” you won’t.
Everything in this guide uses official, reversible tools.
Windows updates can be frustrating, but undoing one is often the cleanest way to restore stability. Once things settle, you can move forward calmly instead of guessing.
