Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11If a problem began after a recent Windows 11 update, use Uninstall updates to remove an update that Windows makes available for removal. If it began after upgrading to a newer Windows version, use Go back to return to the previous version—usually within 10 days of upgrading. These are different recovery actions, and neither is guaranteed to be available on every PC.
Choose the right recovery option
First identify what changed. Microsoft describes quality updates as more frequent updates that mainly contain smaller fixes and security updates; feature updates typically arrive once a year and add functionality. The frequency distinction can help you tell a recent update from a Windows version upgrade, but the labels and options shown on your PC determine what you can remove. See Microsoft’s Windows Update FAQ.
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| Option | Use it when | What it changes | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall an update in Settings | A recent update appears to have caused a problem and Windows starts | Keeps personal files and apps; removes the selected update | Only updates Windows exposes for uninstall can be removed. Microsoft’s uninstall guidance |
| Uninstall updates in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) | Windows cannot be accessed normally after an update | Intended to remove a recent update | Requires reaching WinRE; options depend on the device. BitLocker may require its recovery key. Microsoft’s WinRE guidance |
| Go back | The problem followed an upgrade to a new Windows version | Keeps personal files, but removes apps and drivers installed after the upgrade and reverses Settings changes made since then | Usually available for 10 days, provided the necessary previous-installation files remain. Microsoft’s recovery guidance |
Before you start
- Back up important files. Microsoft warns that some recovery options can cause data loss.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key if device encryption is enabled. Microsoft says the key is needed for most WinRE recovery options, and a BitLocker-protected PC may ask for it before opening recovery tools.
- For a security update, weigh the risk of removing it. Microsoft advises understanding the risks and recommends Windows 11 users try reinstalling their current Windows version first. Follow Microsoft’s security-update guidance before removing one.
Uninstall a recent update from Settings
Use this path when Windows starts and the issue appears to have followed an update:
- Open Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates.
- Find the update you want to remove and select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen prompts. Restart if Windows asks you to.
Some updates cannot be uninstalled, so the update may not appear in the list or Windows may not offer the option. This procedure removes the selected update; it does not return Windows to the version that was installed before a feature upgrade.
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Uninstall an update when Windows will not start
If you cannot access Windows normally, try the recovery environment. Recovery screens and available choices can vary by device.
- Enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Microsoft’s Windows Recovery Environment guide explains how to reach it.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
- Choose the update-removal option offered on your screen and follow its prompts.
Microsoft’s current recovery guidance describes removing the latest quality or feature update, though the displayed text on its page repeats “quality update” for the second option. Use the wording and choices actually shown in WinRE rather than assuming a particular option will appear. A BitLocker recovery key may be required to access recovery options.
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Go back to the previous Windows version
Choose this when the problem began after upgrading to a newer Windows version—not merely after installing a regular update. In Windows, open Settings > System > Recovery and select Go back if it is available. Follow the prompts to complete the rollback. Microsoft says the option is available in most cases for 10 days after upgrading; the button may disappear sooner if the required files are missing or the option is otherwise unavailable.
Go back keeps personal files, but removes apps and drivers installed after the upgrade and reverses Settings changes made since it. Apps added, removed, or updated after upgrading might not be available or work properly after returning. Microsoft also lists removing user accounts added after the upgrade and having the upgrade USB drive if one was used as conditions to consider.
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Why Go back may be missing
The rollback depends on the previous Windows installation files. Microsoft says windows.old is automatically deleted 10 days after upgrading; deleting it earlier also removes the ability to return through this route. The $windows.~bt folder is also required for rollback. Do not delete the previous-installation files if you may want to go back. See Microsoft’s guidance on deleting the previous version of Windows.
If Go back is not offered, the usual time window may have passed or required files may no longer be present. Do not treat update uninstall as a substitute: it removes a selected update rather than restoring the prior Windows version.
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If update removal does not fix the startup problem
Uninstalling an update is only one recovery option. Microsoft also lists System Restore, Reset this PC, and reinstalling Windows; point-in-time restore is available on supported Windows 11 24H2-or-later devices. These options have different effects and should not be treated as equivalent to removing an update. Review Microsoft’s recovery options before choosing another route. A USB recovery drive can be created while the PC is working as a contingency, but it is not required for the Settings uninstall or Go back procedures. Manufacturer recovery images may include device-specific drivers and factory apps that generic Microsoft installation media may not include.
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