Windows 11 updates are meant to improve your system, but sometimes they can cause more harm than good. If you’re experiencing issues after an update, you might want to uninstall it. Here are three effective methods to remove updates on Windows 11, starting with the most straightforward approach.
Method 1: Uninstalling updates via Windows Settings
This method is the easiest and most user-friendly way to remove recent Windows 11 updates:
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Access the Settings app by right-clicking the Start button and choosing “Settings” or using the
Windows key+Ishortcut. -
Look for “Windows Update” in the left sidebar and click on it.
- On the right side, select “Update history”.
- Scroll to the bottom and click on “Uninstall updates”.
- A new window will display all installed updates. Find the one you want to remove and click “Uninstall” at the top.
- When prompted, confirm that you want to uninstall the update.
- If necessary, restart your computer to complete the process.
Method 2: Using Command Prompt to remove updates
For those who prefer a more direct approach, the Command Prompt offers a quick way to uninstall updates:
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Open an elevated Command Prompt by searching for “Command Prompt” in the Start menu, right-clicking the result, and selecting “Run as administrator”.
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To see a list of installed updates, type this command and press Enter:
wmic qfe list brief /format:table
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Identify the HotFixID of the update you want to remove.
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To uninstall an update, use the following command, replacing KBNUMBER with the update’s ID:
wusa /uninstall /kb:KBNUMBER
- A pop-up window will appear; confirm the uninstallation.
- Reboot your computer if prompted.
Method 3: Removing updates from Windows Recovery Environment
If a problematic update is preventing Windows from starting normally, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to remove it:
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Force your PC into Automatic Repair mode by interrupting the boot process three consecutive times (turn on your computer and force a shutdown as soon as you see the Windows logo).
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On the fourth startup, Windows will enter Automatic Repair mode.
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When you see the Automatic Repair screen, click “Advanced options”.
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Choose “Troubleshoot” from the available options.
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Select “Advanced options” again.
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Click on “Uninstall Updates”.
- Choose either “Uninstall latest quality update” or “Uninstall latest feature update” depending on which type you need to remove.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the uninstallation process.
These methods should help you successfully remove problematic updates from your Windows 11 system, potentially resolving issues and restoring your computer’s stability.