How to Roll Back a Windows Update That Broke Your System

Windows updates are designed to enhance system stability, security, and performance. However, sometimes a newly installed update can cause unexpected problems, from performance issues to complete system crashes. When this happens, rolling back the problematic update may be your best option to restore normal functionality. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to safely roll back a Windows update that broke your system.

1. Why Roll Back a Windows Update?

There are several reasons you might want to undo a recent update, including:

System crashes and blue screens (BSOD).
Performance degradation or system slowdowns.
Application incompatibility and crashes.
Hardware issues, such as driver conflicts.
Failed updates causing boot loops or startup failures.

2. Roll Back Windows Updates via Settings

The simplest way to remove a problematic update is through the Windows Settings:

1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Click on View update history.
4. Select Uninstall updates.
5. Locate the problematic update, right-click it, and select Uninstall.
6. Restart your computer to complete the process.

3. Roll Back Updates via Advanced Startup

If your system won't boot properly, you can use the Advanced Startup Options:

1. Restart your computer and hold the Shift key while clicking Restart.
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
3. Choose either Uninstall the latest quality update or Uninstall the latest feature update.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the rollback.

4. Using System Restore to Undo Updates

If the above methods don't work, use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state:

1. Press Win + R and type rstrui.exe, then hit Enter.
2. Choose a restore point created before the problematic update.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.

5. Using Command Prompt in Safe Mode

If your system refuses to boot, try removing updates via Command Prompt:

1. Boot your PC into Safe Mode.
2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
3. Run the following command to list updates:
   wmic qfe list brief /format:table
4. Locate the problematic update by its KB number.
5. Uninstall the update with the following command:
   wusa /uninstall /kb:[update_number]

6. Troubleshooting Post-Rollback Issues

If rolling back the update does not resolve the issue, consider these steps:

Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
Update device drivers through Device Manager.
Perform a clean boot to eliminate software conflicts.

7. Preventing Update Issues in the Future

To minimize the risk of problematic updates in the future, follow these best practices:

Create system restore points regularly.
Enable automatic backups to external drives or cloud storage.
Delay feature updates to give Microsoft time to fix known issues.
Check the Microsoft Update Catalog for potential update issues before installing.

Conclusion

Rolling back a problematic Windows update can save your system from severe performance issues or even boot failures. By following the methods outlined above, you can effectively undo problematic updates and restore your computer to a stable state. Always make sure to back up your important data before making significant changes to your system.

For more technical support and guidance, visit the Microsoft Support page.