5 Easy Ways to Uninstall Windows Updates Manually

Manually uninstalling a Windows update is useful when a recent patch breaks your PC, printer, app, driver, or startup process. 

Sometimes a Windows update fixes one problem and creates another. Your PC may start crashing, a printer may stop working, Wi-Fi may act strangely, or an app may fail right after an update is installed. In that case, manually removing the update can help you confirm whether the update is the real cause.

Before you uninstall anything, remember this: removing a security update can make your PC less protected. Use this only when an update is clearly causing trouble, and reinstall a fixed version later when Microsoft releases one. 

Microsoft also notes that some modern cumulative updates may need DISM instead of older uninstall methods.

Things to Do Before You Uninstall a Windows Update

1. Find the update you want to remove

First, identify the exact update. Open Settings, go to Windows Update, then select Update history. Look for the update that was installed right before the issue started. Most Windows updates use a KB number, such as KB503xxxx or KB50xxxxx.

Do not remove random updates. If your printer stopped working yesterday, focus on the update installed yesterday or the day before. If your PC started blue-screening after a restart, check the most recent quality update, driver update, or feature update.

2. Create a restore point or backup first

Before removing an update, create a System Restore point. Search for Create a restore point from the Start menu, open it, choose your system drive, and select Create. This gives you a rollback option if uninstalling the update makes things worse.

You should also back up important files to an external drive, OneDrive, Google Drive, or another safe location. Update removal is usually safe, but when Windows system files are involved, it is smarter to protect your data first.

3. Check whether the update is removable

Not every update can be removed from every PC. Some updates are permanent, some are bundled into a newer cumulative update, and some driver updates need to be rolled back from Device Manager instead. If the update does not appear in the uninstall list, that usually means Windows does not offer a normal removal path for it.

4. Restart your PC once before uninstalling

A simple restart can finish pending update tasks. Sometimes Windows behaves badly because an update is only half-configured. Restart your PC, check whether the issue still happens, and then decide whether you still need to uninstall the update.

5. Keep your charger connected

If you are using a laptop, plug it in before uninstalling updates. Removing updates can take several minutes and may require a restart. Losing power during the process can cause startup issues or corrupted system files.

Method 1: Uninstall Windows Updates From Settings

Step 1: Open Windows Update settings

Press Windows + I to open Settings. Select Windows Update from the left side of the window. This is where Windows shows update status, update history, pause options, and advanced update settings.

Step 2: Open update history

Click Update history. Scroll through the list and check the most recent updates. Pay attention to quality updates, driver updates, and feature updates. If your issue started after a specific date, focus on the updates installed on or near that date.

Step 3: Choose uninstall updates

Scroll down and select Uninstall updates. Windows will show a list of updates that can be removed. Select the update you want to remove, then click Uninstall.

Step 4: Restart your PC

After Windows removes the update, restart your PC. Test the exact problem again. For example, open the app that was crashing, print a test page, reconnect to Wi-Fi, or check whether the blue screen returns.

Method 2: Uninstall Windows Updates from the Control Panel

Step 1: Open Control Panel

Search for Control Panel from the Start menu and open it. This older Windows tool still includes useful update management options, especially on some Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.

Step 2: Go to installed updates

Select Programs, then choose Programs and Features. On the left side, click View installed updates. This opens a list of installed Microsoft updates.

Step 3: Select the update

Look for the update by its KB number. If you know the update number already, use the search box in the top-right corner. Click the update once so it is highlighted.

Step 4: Uninstall the update

Click Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions. Windows may ask for administrator permission. After removal, restart your PC and check whether the issue is fixed.

Method 3: Uninstall Windows Updates Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator

Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator. This is important because update removal needs elevated permissions.

Step 2: Check the update number

You need the update’s KB number. You can find it from the Update history, or you can type this command:

wmic qfe list brief /format:table

This shows installed hotfixes and their KB numbers. Find the update you want to remove.

Step 3: Run the WUSA uninstall command

Type this command, replacing the number with your update’s KB number:

wusa /uninstall /kb:5030000

Press Enter. The Windows Update Standalone Installer will open and ask you to confirm. Microsoft documents Wusa.exe as the tool used to install and uninstall standalone Windows update packages.

Step 4: Restart when prompted

Allow Windows to restart if it asks. After the restart, check whether the update was removed by going back to Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

Method 4: Uninstall Windows Updates Using DISM

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator

Search for Command Prompt, right-click it, and select Run as administrator. You can also use Windows Terminal Admin if you prefer.

Step 2: List installed packages

Type this command and press Enter:

DISM /online /get-packages

Windows will display a long list of installed packages. Look for the package linked to the update you want to remove. This method is especially useful when a recent cumulative update does not uninstall through WUSA.

Step 3: Copy the package identity

Find the full Package Identity name. It may look long and technical. Copy it carefully because DISM needs the exact package name.

Step 4: Remove the package

Run this command, replacing the sample text with the real package identity:

DISM /online /remove-package /packagename:Package_Identity_Here

DISM can remove specified packages from a Windows image, and Microsoft’s newer cumulative update notes often point users to DISM /Remove-Package for removing certain LCU packages.

Step 5: Restart your PC

Once the command finishes, restart your computer. Do not interrupt the process while Windows is applying changes.

Method 5: Uninstall Updates From Windows Recovery Environment

Step 1: Open Windows Recovery Environment

Use this method when your PC will not boot normally after an update. Hold Shift, click Power, then choose Restart. If Windows will not load, force restart the PC a few times until it enters recovery mode.

Step 2: Open advanced options

On the recovery screen, select Troubleshoot, then choose Advanced options. This area includes startup repair, system restore, command tools, and update removal tools.

Step 3: Choose uninstall updates

Select Uninstall Updates. Windows will usually give you two choices: Uninstall the latest quality update or Uninstall the latest feature update. A quality update is usually the monthly update. A feature update is a larger Windows version upgrade.

Step 4: Remove the latest update

Choose the update type that matches your problem. If the issue started after a normal monthly patch, choose Uninstall latest quality update. If the issue started after upgrading to a new Windows version, choose Uninstall latest feature update. Microsoft lists Windows Recovery Environment as an official way to uninstall updates when Windows cannot be accessed normally.

Updates Reinstall After Uninstalling Fix

If Windows keeps reinstalling the same update, pause updates temporarily. Open Settings > Windows Update and choose Pause updates. This gives you time to test your PC and confirm whether the removed update caused the issue.

Next, check for a newer replacement update. Microsoft often releases follow-up fixes through later cumulative updates. If the newer update solves the bug, installing it is safer than staying unpatched.

If the problem is caused by a driver update, open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver if available. You can also stop Windows from automatically replacing certain drivers by using manufacturer drivers from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, or your device maker.

If Windows Update itself is corrupted, run these commands in Command Prompt Admin:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

These commands can repair system file and component store problems before you try updating again.

Faqs

Can I uninstall any Windows update?

No. Some updates are removable, but others are not. If Windows does not show an uninstall option, the update may be permanent, bundled, replaced, or protected by the system.

Is it safe to uninstall a Windows update?

It can be safe when you are troubleshooting a serious issue, but removing a security update can expose your PC to known threats. Uninstall the update only when needed, then install a newer fixed update later.

Which method is best for beginners?

The easiest method is Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. It has the cleanest interface and does not require commands.

What should I do if WUSA says the update is not installed?

Check whether the update was replaced by a newer cumulative update. You may need to use DISM /online /get-packages and remove the actual package identity instead.

Can I uninstall updates if Windows will not start?

Yes. Use Windows Recovery Environment, then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates. This is the best option when a bad update prevents Windows from booting.

Summary

Manually uninstalling a Windows update is useful when a recent patch breaks your PC, printer, app, driver, or startup process. Start with the simple method in Settings, then try Control Panel, Command Prompt, DISM, or Windows Recovery Environment depending on how serious the problem is.

Before you remove anything, identify the correct KB update, create a restore point, back up important files, and restart your PC once. If the update returns after uninstalling, pause updates temporarily, check for a newer fix, and repair Windows system files if needed.