How to uninstall a Windows 11 update that is causing problems

Windows updates are supposed to make your computer more secure and reliable. But that isn't always how it goes. Over the years, updates have occasionally introduced new problems, including black screens, restart loops, app crashes, and sluggish performance, leaving users wondering what to do next.

The good news is that you can uninstall a problematic Windows update yourself, and it's not as complicated as it sounds. In this post, I'll walk you through three (3) methods. Which one you use depends on whether your computer is starting up properly or not.

Understanding the two types of Windows Updates

Before diving into the steps, it helps to understand the difference between the two types of Windows updates, because not all of them can be uninstalled the same way.

• Quality Updates are the monthly security patches and bug fixes you see arrive through Windows Update. These are the updates most likely to cause sudden problems, and they can be uninstalled using any of the three methods in this post.
• Feature Updates are the larger annual updates that bring new features and major changes to Windows 11. These cannot be uninstalled the same way; they must be rolled back through recovery options, which is a more involved process.

This post focuses on Quality Updates, which are responsible for the vast majority of sudden, post-update problems.

How to Tell Which Update Caused the Problem

Before uninstalling anything, it helps to confirm which update is the culprit. The easiest way is to check your Update History and match the install date to when your problems started.

1. Left-click on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, left-click on Windows Update.
4. In the right-hand column, left-click on Update history.
5. Look through the list of recently installed updates and note the date your problems started. The update installed on or just before that date is most likely the cause.

For a more detailed look at exactly when things went wrong, Reliability Monitor is a built-in tool that shows a timeline of system events, errors, and crashes. For more on how to use it, check out our post: My Digital Toolbox 9.

Method 1: Uninstall via Settings

This is the easiest method and the first one I try. It works as long as your computer is starting up and running normally.

1. Left-click on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, left-click on Windows Update.
4. In the right-hand column, left-click on Update history.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and left-click on Uninstall updates.
6. A list of installed updates will appear. Find the update you want to remove, and then left-click the Uninstall button.
7. Follow any on-screen prompts and restart your computer when asked.

This method is quick, straightforward, and works for most users in most situations.

Method 2: Uninstall via Terminal (Admin)

This method uses the built-in wusa.exe command to remove a specific update directly by its KB number. It's a good option if Settings isn't responding normally, or if you want a faster, more direct approach than clicking through menus.

You'll need the KB number of the update you want to remove before using this method. You can find it in Settings > Windows Update > Update history. It will look something like KB5074109.

1. Right-click on the Start button to open the Power User menu.
2. Left-click on Terminal (Admin). If prompted by User Account Control, left-click Yes.
3. In the Terminal window, copy & paste or type the following and press Enter, replacing KBxxxxxxx with the actual KB number of the update you want to remove:

wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:KBxxxxxxx

4. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm. Left-click Yes to proceed.
5. Follow any on-screen prompts and restart your computer when asked.

This method removes a specific update by name, which is useful when you know exactly which KB number caused the problem. If you're not familiar with Windows Terminal, check out our post: Exploring the features of Windows Terminal.

Method 3: Uninstall via Advanced Boot Options

If your computer is having trouble starting up after an update, such as showing a black screen, getting stuck in a restart loop, or failing to reach the desktop, this is the method you need. It lets you uninstall the update before Windows fully loads.

There are two ways to get into Advanced Boot Options:

From inside Windows (if your computer is starting up)

1. Left-click on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. Left-click on the System category in the left-hand column.
4. Scroll down the right-hand column and left-click on Recovery.
5. Under Advanced startup, left-click on Restart now.

Once you are in Advanced Boot Options:

1. Left-click on Troubleshoot.
2. Left-click on Advanced options.
3. Left-click on Uninstall Updates.
4. Choose Uninstall latest quality update to remove the most recent monthly patch.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts. Your computer will restart once the process is complete.

From the System Repair screen (if your computer won't start)

If Windows fails to start correctly three (3) times in a row, it will automatically boot into the System Repair screen. From there:

1. Left-click on Advanced options to get to the Advanced options screen.
2. Left-click on Uninstall Updates.
3. Left-click on Uninstall latest quality update.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts. Your computer will restart once the process is complete.

This method works even when Windows won't start normally, making it the most important one to know about when things go seriously wrong.

For a full walkthrough of everything available in Advanced Boot Options, check out our earlier post: How to get to and use the Advanced Boot Options inside of Windows 11

How to pause updates after uninstalling

This is a step most people skip, and it's an important one. If you don't pause Windows Update after uninstalling a problematic patch, Windows will reinstall it automatically the next time it checks for updates, putting you right back where you started.

Here's how to pause updates temporarily:

1. Left-click on the Start button to bring up the Start menu.
2. In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings.
3. In the left-hand column, left-click on Windows Update.
4. In the right-hand column, left-click on Pause updates and choose a duration from the drop-down menu. Up to five weeks is available.

Pausing updates buys you time while Microsoft works on a fix. When the pause expires, Windows will check for updates again, and by then, a corrected update is usually available. I don't recommend leaving updates paused indefinitely, since security patches are important. A few weeks is usually enough time for Microsoft to release a follow-up fix.

Update problems are one of the most frustrating things a Windows 11 user can experience, especially when the update that was supposed to help is the one that caused the trouble in the first place. The three methods above give you a reliable way to get your computer back to a working state, regardless of how serious the problem is.