If an app or game stopped working after Windows 11 updated, first identify whether the change was a regular update or an upgrade to a newer Windows version. For a removable recent update, uninstall that specific update; for a feature upgrade, use Go back if Windows still offers it. Neither option guarantees a fix, so check the app publisher’s compatibility guidance and try less disruptive troubleshooting first.
Identify what changed before choosing a rollback
An app failing after an update is a clue, not proof that the update caused the problem. In Settings > Windows Update > Update history, note the update name or KB number and installation date if available. Record the app’s exact error message, too. Microsoft’s compatibility guidance gives “This app or game can’t run on your device” as an example of an app compatibility message. Check with the app or game publisher for current compatibility advice before removing Windows updates.
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Use the type of change to choose the right control:
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- Recent quality or other update: remove the selected update through Update history, or through Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) if Windows will not start.
- Upgrade to a newer Windows version: use Go back to return to the previous version, if the option is still available.
Uninstalling an update and going back are different operations: the first removes a selected update; the second reverses a Windows version upgrade.
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Before you roll back
- Back up important files. Microsoft warns that some recovery options can cause data loss.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key before entering Windows RE if device encryption is enabled. Some recovery tools may require it.
- For a work or school PC, contact IT. Recovery may be managed centrally.
- Consider security implications. Microsoft warns, “Before uninstalling a security update, make sure you understand the risks.” (Microsoft Support: How to uninstall a Windows Update.)
Try less disruptive fixes first
If Windows starts and only one app or game is affected, check the publisher’s support information and any compatibility guidance before changing Windows. Microsoft’s recovery guidance puts troubleshooting and reinstalling the current Windows version ahead of removing an update or returning to an earlier version.
Reinstall the current Windows version to repair system components
If Windows components may be damaged, Windows 11 offers Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using Windows Update > Reinstall now. This reinstalls the current Windows version to repair system files and components while preserving apps, files and settings. It is a repair, not a rollback to an earlier version.
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Uninstall a recent update when Windows still starts
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
- Find the update that matches the timing of the problem, using its name or KB number if you noted it.
- Select Uninstall for that update and follow the on-screen prompts.
Microsoft says some updates cannot be uninstalled. Removing a security update can also leave the PC without its protection, so weigh that risk before proceeding.
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Use Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) to reach the update-removal control. If you can still open Windows, enter Windows RE with Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, or hold Shift while selecting Power > Restart. Windows may also open Windows RE automatically after repeated unsuccessful starts. Microsoft documents recovery media as another way to access recovery tools.
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- In Windows RE, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
- Choose the available option for removing a recent update and follow the prompts.
On an encrypted device, have the BitLocker recovery key ready; certain tools may ask for it. A USB recovery drive is optional preparation for a PC that may not boot, not a requirement for removing an update from Settings or Windows RE. Creating a recovery drive erases the USB drive, so use an empty one.
Go back after a Windows version upgrade
If the problem began after upgrading to a newer Windows version, use Settings > System > Recovery > Go back, if Windows offers it. Microsoft says the option is usually available for 10 days after upgrading, but that window is not guaranteed for every device (Microsoft Support: Go back to the previous version of Windows).
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Going back retains personal files, but removes apps and drivers installed after the upgrade and reverses settings changes. Apps added, removed or updated since the upgrade may not be available or may not work after you return. Microsoft also requires the windows.old and $windows.~bt folders to remain, along with other prerequisites. If Go back is absent, this route is not available through Settings.
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| Option | When it fits | What it changes | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall update | The issue followed a recent removable update. | Removes the selected update; personal files and apps are retained. | Some updates cannot be uninstalled; consider security implications. |
| Go back | The issue followed a Windows version upgrade. | Retains personal files, removes post-upgrade apps and drivers, and reverses settings changes. | Usually available for 10 days; required rollback folders and other prerequisites must remain. |
| Reinstall current Windows version | Windows components may be damaged. | Repairs the current version while preserving files, apps and settings. | Does not return Windows to a prior version. |
| Point-in-time restore or System Restore | A suitable restore point predates the problem. | A point-in-time restore returns the PC, including files, apps and settings, to an earlier snapshot. System Restore reverts system changes while keeping personal files. | Changes made after the restore point may be undone; check the restore point and back up first. |
| Reset this PC | Earlier recovery choices have failed and a larger repair is acceptable. | Reinstalls Windows with choices about keeping or removing personal files. | More disruptive than the other options; not the first step for one broken app. |
What to do if the app still fails
A rollback cannot establish that an update caused the failure, and it may not fix the app. If the problem persists, revisit the app publisher’s compatibility guidance and consider the broader recovery choices in the table. Before using a restore or reset option, confirm what it will change and protect important files.
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