Most cybersecurity-related articles and tutorials will tell you to keep your operating system up to date. While it is usually a good tip, there will be situations when you will want to remove a Windows update for one reason or another.
In most cases, users lookup “how to remove an update” if their system starts lagging or interfering with some applications. After all, even big players such as Microsoft sometimes make mistakes.
Some of their past updates have caused problems and frustrations. They made users wish they could remove them. The thing is, you can do so, and it is easier than you may think. Here’s how you can remove a Windows update in less than five minutes.
How to Remove a Windows Update
Windows 10 has a simple and intuitive design. It allows users to figure things out by themselves. The system also makes it easy to find and check the latest updates. It is going to be essential in the process of removing one.
The quickest way to remove a Windows update is through the settings. Follow the steps below:
- Click on the Start
- Choose S
- Click on Updates and S
- Find the View Update History option.
- Click on Uninstall Updates in the top left corner.
Windows will then open the Control Panel, where you can see a list of all the installed updates on the device. The most recent update is usually at the top of the list. If the system starts causing trouble unexpectedly, the most recent update is likely at fault.
- Select the update you wish to get rid of and click Uninstall to complete the process.
The update list also contains the essential information about each installed update, including the KB number. You should write this number down in case you have trouble uninstalling an update using this method. The KB number comes in handy in the alternative solution discussed below.
The Alternative Method
If the first method doesn’t work, you can try the advanced startup technique. It is a bit more complicated but still pretty easy to do.
This method allows you to uninstall an update before booting into Windows. It might sound like technical work, but it’s simple if you follow the steps below:
- Open the S
- Click on Updates and S
- Click on Recovery in the left-hand column.
- Find the Advanced Startup button at the bottom of the window.
- Click Restart Now to reboot the system and enter the advanced startup mode.
- Click on the Troubleshoot option in the advanced startup mode.
- From here, select Advanced option and click on Uninstall U
This is where you need the KB number you saved from the updates list in the Windows settings. You can either choose to uninstall the latest quality update or the newest feature update.
- Use the KB number to find the most recent update.
- Click on Uninstall, and your job here is done.
Updates and Security
Windows updates are closely related to the security of your device. While many factors can cause vulnerabilities in your system, the lack of updates is among the most serious ones. After all, Microsoft brings its users new sets of security patches and features with each update.
Some updates serve to improve functionality and performance. But most of them carry some level of protective features that keep the device safe from cybersecurity threats.
Every now and then, an update can bring more trouble than benefits. It is a sign that you should remove it. But once you remove an update because of flaws, you also remove the security features.
So you should always have an alternative source of security for your device. There’s no need to mention the benefits of antivirus software and firewalls. But another way to protect a Windows computer from security threats is to use a VPN or virtual private network. And this one is pretty underrated.
What does a VPN do? It encrypts your online data in transit. Passwords, addresses, and anything you type on any website stays encrypted and thus hidden from the public eye. Only you and the website in question can see it.
An extra layer of protection will come in handy if you must remove a Windows update. But don’t do so lightly. Make sure it’s the update that’s causing your problems. Do a quick Google search to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue. And always keep up with the latest Microsoft’s announcements about their updates and potential fixes.