How to Rollback a Windows 11 Update

Patrick_Yu · September 25

Windows 11 updates are designed to improve system performance, security, and functionality. However, not all updates go smoothly, and sometimes they can cause unexpected issues or compatibility problems. Whether it's performance degradation, software bugs, or hardware conflicts, rolling back a recent Windows 11 update may be necessary. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to revert to a previous version of Windows 11 and resolve any problems caused by the latest update.

Why would you want to rollback to a previous version of Windows 11?

While Windows updates are generally aimed at improving system performance, security, and adding new features, they don’t always work out as intended for every user. In some cases, an update can cause more harm than good, leading to various issues that disrupt your workflow, gaming experience, or daily computing. When these problems arise, rolling back to a previous version of Windows 11 can be a practical solution. Below are some common reasons why users might choose to revert to an earlier version of the operating system:

Performance degradation: After an update, you may notice your system running slower than before, with longer boot times, lag, or overall reduced responsiveness.
Software and hardware compatibility issues: A new update might interfere with certain applications or hardware devices, leading to malfunctions or incompatibility with drivers.
Introduction of new bugs: Updates sometimes introduce bugs that can cause crashes, freezes, or other unexpected problems that were not present before the update.
Loss or changes to key features: Some updates alter or remove features you’ve come to rely on, affecting your workflow or user experience.
Security or privacy concerns: In rare instances, an update might introduce new vulnerabilities or change privacy settings in ways that concern users.

What are the risks associated with rolling back your update?

While rolling back a Windows 11 update can help resolve issues caused by the latest version, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks involved. Reverting to a previous version may not always be a perfect solution, and it can sometimes create new challenges. Here are some of the risks to consider before deciding to rollback your update:

Loss of Security Updates: Rolling back to a previous version may remove critical security patches included in the latest update, potentially leaving your system more vulnerable to malware or cyberattacks.
Loss of New Features: By reverting to an earlier version, you’ll miss out on any new features or improvements introduced in the latest update. This might affect your ability to use certain functions or software that require the latest version of Windows.
System Instability: While rolling back can fix certain issues, it may also introduce instability or bugs from the earlier version of the operating system, which had been addressed in the most recent update.
Incompatibility with New Software or Drivers: Newer software, drivers, or hardware might not function properly with the rolled-back version of Windows, especially if they rely on features or updates from the latest release.
Temporary Data Loss or Settings Reset: In some cases, rolling back may affect system settings, personalization options, or installed software. While Windows usually retains user data, there’s a risk of losing recent changes or configurations.
Limited Time Window: Windows allows users to rollback updates only within a limited period (typically 10 days). After this time, the option may no longer be available, meaning you'll be stuck with the update unless you perform a more involved downgrade or system restore.

By understanding these potential issues and risks, you’ll be better equipped to determine whether rolling back a Windows 11 update is the right choice for your system.

How to rollback a Windows 11 update

If you’ve decided that rolling back your Windows 11 update is the best solution to resolve any problems, there are several methods available to do so. Depending on your system's state and the severity of the issues you're facing, you can choose from four different ways to rollback the update:

Settings menu: The simplest and most commonly used method when your system is functioning normally.
Advanced Startup (Safe Mode): Useful if you're unable to access the system normally due to more severe issues.
System Restore: This option is available if you created a restore point before the update.
Manually uninstalling specific updates: This method allows you to remove individual updates through the Control Panel.

Below, we’ll explain each method in detail to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

1. How to rollback a Windows 11 update using the Settings menu

How to rollback a Windows 11 update using the Settings menu.png

Open the Settings app
Click the Start button and select Settings (gear icon), or press Windows + I to open it directly.
Navigate to Windows Update
From the left-hand menu in the Settings window, click on Windows Update.
Open Update history
Click on Update history to see the list of installed updates.
Go to Recovery options
At the top of the Update history screen, you’ll find the Recovery options link. Click on it.
Click "Go back"
Under the Go back section, click the Go back button (if available).
Provide a reason
Choose a reason for rolling back the update, then click Next.
Review warnings
Review any warnings that appear and click Next again.
Skip additional updates
If prompted to check for additional updates, select No, thanks.
Start the rollback
Click Go back to earlier build to initiate the rollback process.
Complete the rollback
Your system will restart, and Windows will revert to the previous version. Wait for the process to complete.

If the "Go back" button isn’t available, you can try using System Restore, which restores your system to a previous state before the update (if a restore point was created).

Note: The "Go back" option is only available within 10 days of the update. After this period, Windows deletes the previous version files to free up space. Additionally, if you've used a system cleanup tool or manually removed old files, the option might not appear.

2. How to rollback a Windows 11 update using System Restore

How to rollback a Windows 11 update using System Restore.png

If the "Go back" option isn't available, you can use System Restore to revert your system to a previous state before the update. However, it's important to note that System Restore needs to have been enabled on your system beforehand, and a restore point must have been created for this method to work.

Steps to rollback using System Restore:

Open the System Properties window
Press Windows + S and type Create a restore point. Click on the top result to open the System Properties window.
Open System Restore
In the System Properties window, click on the System Restore button to launch the System Restore wizard.
Select a restore point
You will see a list of available restore points. Choose the one that was created before the problematic update was installed. You can also click Scan for affected programs to see which apps or drivers may be removed as part of the restore process.
Confirm the restore point
After selecting the restore point, click Next and confirm your choice by clicking Finish. This will begin the rollback process.
Wait for the restore to complete
Your computer will restart, and Windows will restore the system to the chosen restore point. This process can take several minutes depending on your system's configuration.

Note: System Restore will not affect your personal files, but it may remove apps, drivers, or system settings that were installed after the restore point was created.

How to create a restore point in Windows 11:

It’s a good idea to proactively create restore points, especially before installing major updates or making significant system changes. Here’s how:

Open System Properties
Press Windows + S, type Create a restore point, and click the top result.
Select the drive to protect
In the System Properties window, under Protection Settings, select your system drive (typically C:) and click Configure.
Enable system protection
In the pop-up window, select Turn on system protection and adjust the Max Usage slider to allocate space for storing restore points. Click Apply to confirm.
Create a restore point
Back in the System Properties window, click Create. Provide a descriptive name (e.g., "Before major update") and click Create.
Complete the process
Windows will create the restore point. Once complete, click Close to finish.

By creating regular restore points, you'll be prepared for future system issues, ensuring you can easily rollback to a previous state if needed.

3. How to rollback a Windows 11 update using Advanced Startup (Safe Mode)

How to rollback a Windows 11 update using Advanced Startup (Safe Mode).jpg

If your system is unstable after an update and you cannot access Windows normally, you can use the Advanced Startup (Safe Mode) to roll back the problematic update. This method is particularly useful when severe system issues prevent regular booting.

Steps to rollback using Advanced Startup:

Access Advanced Startup
Hold the Shift key while selecting Restart from the Start menu or the Lock screen.
Navigate to Troubleshoot
On the recovery screen, select Troubleshoot.
Uninstall updates
From the Advanced options menu, select Uninstall Updates. You will be presented with two options:
1. Uninstall the latest quality update (for smaller updates like security patches).
2. Uninstall the latest feature update (for major updates that introduce new features).
Follow the on-screen instructions
Select the appropriate option and follow the prompts to confirm the rollback. Your system will restart and remove the selected update.

This method allows you to rollback even when your system is experiencing serious issues.

4. How to rollback a Windows 11 update by uninstalling specific updates via the Control Panel

How to rollback a Windows 11 update by uninstalling specific updates via the Control Panel.png

If you're facing issues with a specific Windows update, you can manually uninstall it through the Control Panel. This method allows you to target individual updates that might be causing problems, without relying on broader rollback features. Here's how to uninstall specific updates:

Steps to uninstall updates using the Control Panel:

Open Control Panel
Press Windows + S and type Control Panel. Select it from the search results.
Go to Programs and Features
In the Control Panel window, click on Programs, then select Programs and Features.
View installed updates
On the left-hand side of the Programs and Features window, click View installed updates.
Select the update to uninstall
You will see a list of installed updates. Locate the update you want to remove. Updates are listed by their KB (Knowledge Base) number, which can help you identify the one causing issues.
Uninstall the update
Right-click on the specific update and select Uninstall. Confirm when prompted. Windows will then proceed to remove the update from your system.
Restart your computer
Once the uninstallation process is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.

By using the Control Panel, you can precisely manage which updates are affecting your system and remove only the problematic ones.

Conclusion

Rolling back a Windows 11 update can be necessary when an update causes performance issues, compatibility problems, or introduces bugs that disrupt your system. Depending on the situation, there are several options to address these issues. The settings menu offers a straightforward approach when your system is still operational, while advanced startup is helpful if you're unable to access Windows normally. System restore provides another safeguard, allowing you to return to a previous working state if a restore point was created beforehand. Lastly, manually uninstalling updates via the control panel lets you remove specific problematic updates without a full rollback.

If you're unfamiliar with these processes or feel unsure, it's always best to consult a professional to avoid accidental data loss or further system issues. For more help and support, visit Acer's official support page. Understanding these methods gives you more control over maintaining your system's stability and performance when updates don’t work as expected.