How to Manage and Uninstall Windows Updates

Windows updates are essential for the security and stability of your computer system. However, there may be instances where you encounter issues or conflicts with a specific update, or you simply want more control over the updates installed on your system. In this guide, we will show you how to manage and uninstall Windows updates on your computer.

Please note that managing and uninstalling Windows updates require administrative access to your PC. Let's get started!

Table of Contents

1. Checking Installed Updates
2. Managing Windows Updates
   • 2.1. Temporarily Pausing Updates
   • 2.2. Setting Active Hours
   • 2.3. Advanced Update Settings
3. Uninstalling Windows Updates
4. Troubleshooting Common Issues
5. Final Thoughts

1. Checking Installed Updates

Before managing or uninstalling Windows updates, it's important to know which updates are currently installed on your system. To check the installed updates, follow the steps below:

1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on "Update & Security".
3. Select "Windows Update" from the left sidebar.
4. Click on "View update history" under the "Update status" section.
5. You will now see a list of installed updates, along with their installation dates.

2. Managing Windows Updates

Windows provides several options to manage the installation and behavior of Windows updates. Let's explore them:

2.1. Temporarily Pausing Updates

Windows 10 allows you to temporarily pause updates for up to 7 days. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app using Win + I shortcut.
2. Go to "Update & Security" and click on "Windows Update".
3. Click on "Advanced options" under the "Windows Update" section.
4. In the "Pause updates" section, click on the toggle switch to turn it on.
5. Updates will be paused for the next 7 days.

2.2. Setting Active Hours

Windows 10 also allows you to set active hours to prevent your computer from restarting during important work hours. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app using Win + I shortcut.
2. Go to "Update & Security" and click on "Windows Update".
3. Click on "Change active hours" under the "Update settings" section.
4. Enable the toggle switch for "Automatically adjust active hours for this device".
5. Set the start and end time of your active hours and click on "Save".

2.3. Advanced Update Settings

If you need more control over the update installation process, you can explore the advanced update settings. Here's how:

1. Open the Settings app using Win + I shortcut.
2. Go to "Update & Security" and click on "Windows Update".
3. Click on "Advanced options" under the "Windows Update" section.
4. In the "Choose when updates are installed" section, you can select from options like "Semi-Annual Channel", "Monthly Channel", or "Microsoft Update for Business".
5. Customize other settings like Microsoft Store updates, delivery optimization, and restart options according to your preferences.

3. Uninstalling Windows Updates

If you encounter issues or conflicts with a specific Windows update, you can uninstall it from your PC. Here's how:

1. Open the Settings app using Win + I shortcut.
2. Go to "Update & Security" and click on "Windows Update".
3. Click on "Advanced options" under the "Windows Update" section.
4. Scroll down and click on "View update history".
5. Click on "Uninstall updates" at the top.
6. A control panel window will open, displaying a list of installed updates.
7. Select the update you want to uninstall, right-click on it, and choose "Uninstall". Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
8. Restart your computer if prompted.

4. Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter any issues while managing or uninstalling Windows updates, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure that you have administrative access to your PC.
• Check for any pending or failed updates and try installing them before performing other actions.
• Restart your PC and try the update management/uninstallation process again.
• Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, available in the Settings app under "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot".
• If the problem persists, consider contacting Microsoft Support or seeking help from relevant online communities.

5. Final Thoughts

Managing and uninstalling Windows updates can be useful when you need more control over your system's update behavior or encounter issues with specific updates. Remember to keep your system up to date to ensure optimal performance, security, and stability.