How to Remove a Windows 10 Update: The Comprehensive Guide

On occasion, you may find that the latest Windows 10 update is not to your liking or is causing issues. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove updates on Windows 10 to revert to a previous state. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of removing a Windows 10 update, including step-by-step instructions and alternative methods.

Overview of Methods for Uninstalling Windows 10 Updates

There are a few different ways to uninstall updates on Windows 10, depending on your preference and the exact situation:

Using the GUI (Graphical User Interface) method Using the command line method Using PowerShell

Method 1: Using the GUI (Graphical User Interface) Method

The easiest way to uninstall updates on Windows 10 is through the graphical user interface. Here’s how you can do it:

Steps to Remove a Windows 10 Update Using the GUI Method

Open the Start Menu on your machine and go to Settings. From the Settings window, select Update Security. On the Windows Update page, click on View update history. In the View update history window, click on Uninstall updates. Locate the update that you want to uninstall and click on Uninstall, or right-click on the update and then click on Uninstall. A confirmation box will pop up to confirm that you want to uninstall the update.

Why You Might Want to Remove a Windows 10 Update

There are several reasons why you might want to remove a Windows 10 update. For instance, the update might be causing issues or conflicts with other software. Alternatively, you might simply wish to revert to the previous state of your system. Regardless of the reason, it is possible to remove an update using the methods outlined in this guide.

Alternative Methods for Removing Windows 10 Updates

Method 2: Using the Command Line Method

For users who are comfortable with the command line, you can use the wusa (Windows Update Standalone Installer) tool to uninstall updates. Here’s how:

Steps to Remove a Windows 10 Update Using the Command Line Method

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell with administrative privileges. Type the following command:

wusa /uninstall /kb:3159398

(Replace 3159398 with the KB number of the update you want to remove)

Press Enter and follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Note: This method allows you to remove specific updates by their KB number, making it more precise and less likely to remove unintended updates.

Method 3: Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers a more comprehensive way to manage updates on Windows 10. Here’s how you can use PowerShell to remove updates:

Steps to Remove a Windows 10 Update Using PowerShell

Open the Windows 10 menu and type Get-HotFix to list all installed updates. Press Enter to see a list of updates along with their KB numbers and the date they were installed. Identify the KB number of the update you want to remove and run the following command:

wusa /uninstall /kb:KB_NUMBER

(Replace KB_NUMBER with the actual KB number of the update)

Press Enter and follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.

Conclusion

In summary, there are multiple ways to remove Windows 10 updates, including using the GUI, command line, or PowerShell. The choice of method depends on your comfort level with each approach. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to successfully remove unwanted updates and revert your system to a previous state. If you encounter any issues, feel free to seek additional assistance or consult the official Microsoft documentation.

Key Points to Remember

Use the View Update History method for a simple, user-friendly approach. Utilize the command line or PowerShell methods for more granular and precise control. Always ensure you have a backup before performing update removals.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with managing updates on Windows 10, feel free to reach out to our support team or consult the official Microsoft documentation.