In this guide, we will show you three different methods to uninstall Windows 11 updates from your PC. Microsoft releases two different sets of updates for its OS. The first one is the Feature Updates that are released twice a year, and it brings in a few goodies and some new features. Then the next one is the periodical update that is released at regular intervals to irons out the underlying bugs, improve the system performance, and enhance security. On paper, it all translates to a no-brainer when it comes to installing these updates.
However, in some instances, these updates might break a few system functionalities. For example, a few months back Windows 11 rolled out an update that ended up making the Start Menu and Taskbar inoperable (in its defenses, the update was still in the Beta Phase). Along the same lines, the update might also cause conflict with drivers or peripheral devices. In all these scenarios, the best bet is to uninstall these buggy Windows 11 updates from your PC. And in this guide, we will show you how to do just that. Follow along.
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How to Uninstall Windows 11 Updates via Settings/CMD/Recovery
There are three different methods to remove Windows 11 updates: using the Settings Menu, via Command Prompt, and through Windows Recovery. We have listed all these three methods below, you may try out the one that you find easier to deal with. So with that in mind, let’s get started.
Method 1: Uninstall Windows 11 Updates via Settings
- To begin with, use the Windows+I shortcut keys to open the Settings menu.
- Then select Windows Update from the left menu bar and go to the Update History section.
- Now scroll to the end of the page and go to Uninstall Updates.
- Next up, select the update that you wish to remove and then click Uninstall from the top menu bar.
- Finally, click YES in the confirmation dialog box.
- The Windows 11 update will now be uninstalled from your PC and the process might take a couple of minutes. Once done, it is recommended to restart your PC for the changes to take place.
Method 2: Uninstall Windows 11 Updates via Command Prompt
- Head over to the Start Menu, search CMD, and launch it as an administrator.
- Then copy-paste the below command and hit Enter:
wmic qfe list brief /format:table
- You will now get a list of all the updates that are currently installed on your PC. Accompanying that would be each update’s HotFix ID.
- So copy the HotFix ID corresponding to the update that you need to remove. But only copy the numerical part, not the KB keyword. For example, if the complete ID is KB5004342, then you should copy 5004342.
- Once done, execute the below command to uninstall the update from your Windows 11 PC. Make sure to replace the NumericalHotFixID keyword with the number that you have just copied in the above step.
wusa /uninstall /kb:NumericalHotFixID
- So in our case, the command will transform to:
wusa /uninstall /kb:5004342
- As soon as you execute the command, you will get a prompt from Windows Update Standalone Installer, click YES.
- That’s it. The Windows 11 update linked with that HotFixID will now be uninstalled from your PC.
Method 3: Uninstall Windows 11 Updates When PC Cannot Boot
In this method, we will be uninstalling the update via the Windows Recovery Environment. This approach comes in handy if your PC is unable to boot to the OS after installing a buggy update. In this regard, the entire process will be carried out by making use of the hidden Windows Automatic Repair Mode, which gets invoked once your PC crashes three consecutive times. So without any further ado, let’s get started.
- To begin with, power on your PC. Then As soon as you see the PC’s manufacturer’s logo, press the power button to turn it off.
- Do this three consecutive times. The fourth time when your PC boots up, it shall enter the Automatic Repair Mode.
- So click on the Advanced Options button situated at the bottom right.
- After that, select Troubleshoot from the Choose an Option screen.
- Then click on Advanced Options under the Troubleshoot section.
- Now click on Uninstall Updates from the Advanced Menu screen.
- Select the update that you wish to remove: Feature Update (that are released twice a year) or Quality Update (that are released at regular intervals).
- According to your selection, you should now either see the Uninstall Feature Update or Uninstall Quality Update button. So click on the desired option and the uninstallation process will now begin.
- Once done, you could then safely boot your PC to the OS and the underlying issue would have been rectified.
That’s it. These were three different methods to uninstall Windows 11 updates from your PC. Do let us know in the comments section which one you ultimately decided to settle for. Likewise, all your queries are welcomed in the comments below.