How to fix
Uninstall Windows Builds and Updates
on Windows

In my Windows usage practice, the system builds and updates caused lots of problems. Therefore, I would like to know if it’s possible to uninstall updates. Thanks in advance!

Windows 10[ref en-2] users don’t have a full control over the installation of Windows builds and updates. Microsoft has set Windows Updates service to work in the background by default. Therefore, if a computer is connected to the Internet all the time, all available updates and builds will be downloaded and installed automatically. While installing updates is a crucial part of the system’s maintenance, sometimes Windows updates may be more harmful than helpful.

None of the updates or builds released by Microsoft was perfect. Within a couple of days of release, people start complaining about errors, software crash, Internet crash, drivers missing, BSOD,[ref en-3] and similar problems that emerge right after the installation of the update. That’s a common practice, which causes people’s anger as instead of patching the existent bugs, the updates often cause the new ones.

If you want to stop automatic updates, you can do that if you are running Windows 10 Pro or higher versions. The instructions are provided in this post. If, however, you have recently installed a build or update, which broken your PC or initiated minor malfunctions, there is a possibility to roll it back and wait until it gets fixed.

How to Uninstall Windows Builds and Updates?

Method 1. Uninstalling Windows Builds

Microsoft releases Major Updates, so-called Builds, on a regular basis. For example, Windows 10 Version 1511, Version 1703 or Version 1607. Unfortunately, Windows 10 Builds can’t be rolled back unless you are a Windows Insider. Windows Insiders can test the new builds before they become available for the other Windows users.

Therefore, if the new build is too buggy, the Windows Insider can uninstall the new build and report Microsoft about the errors. To uninstall the build, the following steps have to be performed:

• Press "Windows key + I" to open Settings.
• Select "Update & Security" and click "Recovery."

  

• Click "Get started" button under "Go back to an earlier build."
• Then you will have to wait for a while for the system to restore the settings and restart.

NOTE: as soon as Microsoft releases a patch or an update to the built that you’ve rolled back, the system will download it automatically. However, the new build may fail to download if you haven’t upgraded to the new build for too long or if the “Previous Windows installation(s)” files were removed.

Method 2. Removing Windows Updates

Windows Updates can be installed both manually and automatically. If the system detects available updates, it will install them without informing the user. However, if the user wants to make sure if the system is up-to-date, he/she can install the updates via Windows Update applet or official Microsoft’s[ref en-1] website.

If, however, the latest update broke something, it’s easy to uninstall the update manually. All Windows versions allow rolling back the updates, except that the removal of some of the security updates and crucial cumulative updates are forbidden.

• Click "Windows key + I" to open "Settings."
• Select "Update & Security" and open "Advanced Options."

  

• Select "View your update history" and click "Uninstall Updates."
• The system will open the list of updates in Control Panel applet. Select the update that you want to remove and select "Uninstall."

If you are not allowed to uninstall the update, try using a Restore Point. However, there is one important condition - to enable a System Restore point,[ref en-4] you have to have the Restore point created before. To check that, type "system restore" in the search bar and open it. Select the latest Restore point and press "Next."

Method 3. Uninstall Windows Updates by using Factory Restore

If you find out that there is no possibility to restore your Windows computer to an older version of Windows, you should try looking through these steps:

• Find Settings and select Update & Security;
• Furthermore, choose the Recovery option;
• Select Get Started;
• After that, choose Restore factory settings.