Removing an Update

by Barry Dysert
(last updated September 23, 2019)

On rare occasions, a Windows Update may have adverse effects on your system. In times like these, you may decide to remove the update in order to have the system run without it. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Display the Control Panel.
  2. Click the Programs category.
  3. Under the Programs and Features heading, click View Installed Updates. Windows displays the Installed Update screen. (See Figure 1.)

    4. Figure 1. Windows Update history screen.

  4. Select the update you want to remove by clicking on it once. The screen changes slightly, displaying an Uninstall link just to the right of the Organize drop-down list.
  5. Click the Uninstall link. Windows asks you if you really want to uninstall the update.
  6. Click Yes. The update is uninstalled.

When you're finished uninstalling updates, close the Control Panel window. You may also need to restart your system to finish an uninstall.

 This tip (5647) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Changing the Size of the Taskbar

The Taskbar is the "heart" of managing your work in Windows. Fortunately, it can be sized to your heart's content. This ...

Discover More

Repairing Your System Using a System Repair Disk

If your system gets into a state where it cannot be started normally, this tip presents you with options of how you can ...

Discover More

Switching between Users in Windows

You can switch between users (and come back) without having to close down your current workspace. This tip tells you how ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Changing the User Interface Language

Tired of Windows showing you information in English when you'd much prefer a different language? Here's how to modify the ...

Discover More

Disabling Automatic Reboot after a Windows Update

It may not always be a good thing to have Windows automatically restart your computer after an update. This tip tells you ...

Discover More

Keeping the Scroll Bar

Scroll bars are helpful in showing that there is more information to be seen. By default, Windows 10 hides scroll bars, ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is five more than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WindowsTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.

Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.