It’s always been a pain when problems suddenly arise after a major Windows Update, when there is absolutely no way to fix the issues due to the update’s instability. All that’s left to do, after wasting a miserable amount of time, is to roll back Windows 11 or Windows 10 to an earlier build (previous version).
Going back to an earlier build can be done by using the roll back option in the Settings. However, if you are met with problem in which accessing to Windows isn’t even possible, then you will have to perform the rollback in safe mode or the Windows Recovery Environment, which we will show you in this guide as well.
If you meet problems after a major Windows 11 or Windows 10 update, these guides may be of help to you: Problems such as game lag and slow performance, slow and inoperable SSD, display problem after update, microphone not working issue, no sound in Windows 10, and the critical process died blue screen of death, which happen after a major update.
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Roll back Windows 11/10 update from Settings
The easiest way to roll back Windows 10/11 update to an earlier build is via the recover settings, provided you still have access to your Windows. To be on the safe side, backup all important files before you proceed. To roll back Windows 11/10 to a previous version, follow the instructions below.
- Go to Start menu.
- Click on Settings (the gear icon at the left).
Windows 10
Windows 11
- Select Update & Security.
Windows 10
Windows 11
- From the left pane, select Recovery.
- Under Go back to an earlier build, click Get Started.
- You will be asked for why you are going back, simply fill a reason. We all know why.
- When asked to check for updates, click No thanks.
- If you have a different account or password prior to the update, make sure you remember it as it will also roll back your account info. Click Next to start the rollback process.
- The process may take a while and your computer may restart itself automatically.
Once the process is started, it will uninstall the most recent major update you’ve installed. Windows will then reboot your PC to your previous build.
If you don’t see the Rollback option at all from the settings, or if you get the message that reads We ran into a problem and won’t be able to take you back to the previous build. Try resetting your current build instead during the rollback process, try booting your PC into safe mode and repeat the instruction, or use the next method to get into Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and use the alternative option to roll back Windows 11 or Windows 10 to an earlier build.
Roll back Windows 11/10 in safe mode
When things are so messed up that you can’t even boot into normal mode, you may want to try booting your PC into safe mode first before trying to roll back Windows to an earlier version.
Follow this guide in this page: How to Enter Safe Mode in Windows 11/10, to boot your Windows into safe mode. Then, repeat the instruction above to execute the roll back.
Roll back Windows 11/10 via Windows RE
If you can’t see the Rollback option in Settings, or if you encounter any kind of error that refrains you from rolling back Windows 11/10 update from Settings, try to use the rollback option via Windows RE instead. Here’s how.
- Go to start menu.
- Click on the power button.
- While holding the Shift key, click on Restart.
- Windows will then immediately boot into Windows RE.
- In Windows RE, under Choose an option, select Troubleshoot.
- Select Advanced options.
- Then, select Go back to the previous version.
- Windows will then begin to rollback itself to its previous version and may restart your PC several times during the process.
- When the process is completed, your computer will automatically boot to the previous version of Windows 11/10.
What to do if you can’t even get into Windows at all
What happen if you can’t even get into Windows in the first place, to set your PC to boot into anything like safe mode or Windows RE? Fortunately, there is still a way to force your Windows to boot into Windows RE. This method is surprisingly unfamiliar to many users.
To force boot your PC into Windows RE, hold and press the power button on your computer (the button you press to start your computer) until your computer is completely switched off. Then, start it again. As soon as you see the Windows loading logo, hold and press the power button again to force another switch off. Repeat this process for three times. When Windows detects unusual startup activity, it will automatically boot into Windows RE.
If you don’t see the roll back option even in Windows RE, you have a serious problem. Your system files may be missing or corrupted to a point that the option is stripped away as an option. You can try to reset Windows 11/10, or reinstall it if you have a serious issue with the latest update.
