Have you ever experienced your PC suddenly becoming unstable or experiencing unexpected problems after applying Windows 11/10 updates?
To restore your PC to its original state, first...Easily uninstall problematic updates.The basic approach is to try the steps. However, when you actually try to do so, you might find that the program you want isn't listed in the "update history," or the uninstall button is grayed out and you can't click it... There are many cases where people are at a loss, wondering, "Why can't I delete it?"
In fact, the inability to uninstall updates is deeply related to the Windows Update mechanism and user behavior. Many people tend to waste time troubleshooting unresolved problems without understanding the "why."
This article provides a detailed explanation of the basic and reliable uninstallation procedure, as well as the root causes of problems uninstalling Windows 11/10 updates and their solutions.
For those in a hurry
If you have already tried uninstalling from the settings screen and are experiencing issues such as "the button is not clickable" or "it won't proceed due to an error," please skip to the forced uninstallation procedure using the link below.
Unable to delete due to an error? Steps for forced deletion using safe mode or commands.
Basic steps to uninstall problematic updates (KB numbers) individually
Uninstall the update from the Control Panel.
1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run, type the following command and press Enter:
control
2. Change the view to "Category" and click "Uninstall a program."
3. Click "View installed updates" on the left.
4. The installed updates will then be displayed, so right-click on the update you want to uninstall and click "Uninstall."
Windows 10 screen
The following confirmation dialog will appear. Click "Yes" to begin the uninstallation.
Windows 11 screen
Click "Uninstall" to the right of the update you want to remove.
The message "This update and related information will be uninstalled" will be displayed, so click "Uninstall".
Unable to delete due to an error? Steps for forced deletion using safe mode or commands.
1. Remove updates in Safe Mode
1.Start buttonRight-click > Hover your mouse over "Shut down or sign out" and click "Restart" which will appear. Then, while holding down the Shift key on your keyboard, click this to open the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) when you start your PC.
2. Under "Select an option," select "Troubleshooting."
3. Select "Advanced Options".
4. Select "Startup Settings".
5. Select "Restart".
6. Clicking "Restart" will display the startup settings, where you can use the number keys or function keys (F1-F9) on your keyboard to select the option you want to run and start your computer.
To start in Safe Mode, press the number key "4" or "F4" on the screen.
7. Your PC will restart and open in Safe Mode, so please click:Basic steps to uninstall problematic updates (KB numbers) individuallyTry uninstalling using the steps in the "" section.
*To exit Safe Mode, simply restart your computer as usual.
2. Uninstall the update with Windows PowerShell
If you cannot uninstall the software through the Control Panel or similar methods, you may be able to uninstall it using the command line.
1.Start buttonRight-click > Click "Terminal (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
2. When the "User Account Control" message appears, click "Yes".
View installed updates
Type the following command and press Enter:
Get-HotFix
This will show you the updates that are already installed.
*Updates not displayed here cannot be uninstalled.
The fundamental reason why it doesn't appear in the list (cannot be found) will be explained later in "Not showing up in the list or history? Three root causes and solutions for why uninstallation might be impossible.Please check the section marked "".
更新プログラムをアンインストールする
To uninstall the update, enter a command similar to the following:
wusa /uninstall /kb:更新プログラムのIDFor example, if you want to uninstall KB5020683, you would do this:
wusa /uninstall /kb:5020683After entering the command and pressing Enter, a confirmation dialog will appear. Click "Yes" or "No".
If you click "No", you will receive the error "0x800704c7".
Click "Yes" to begin the uninstallation.
You may or may not need to restart the computer, so please follow the instructions on the screen.
*If you see the message "You need to restart your computer to apply these changes," we recommend that you select "Restart now."
Reasons why uninstallation does not start or does not proceed
You may find yourself in an even more troublesome situation where you can click the "Uninstall" button, but the process never progresses beyond the "Uninstalling..." screen, or an error message appears.
The cause of this is likely a deeper systemic issue.
Possible main causes
- 1. Corrupted system files: This is the case when the Windows system files necessary for the uninstallation process are corrupted, which causes the process to fail to start or to stop midway.
- 2. Windows Update component inconsistency: If there is a problem with the database that manages updates or related services (such as the Windows Update service), the uninstall process will not be performed correctly.
- 3. Third-party software interferenceIn particular, security software (antivirus) may detect the uninstaller's attempt to modify important system files as "suspicious behavior" and block it.
- 4. Updates that cannot be uninstalled: Not all updates can be uninstalled. Feature updates, which update the core of the OS, and Service Stack Updates (SSUs), which serve as the foundation for subsequent updates, are designed to be unable to be uninstalled.
[Solution]
If you press the "Uninstall" button but the process never progresses beyond the "Uninstalling..." screen, or an error message appears, follow the steps below to check the health of your system and attempt to repair it.
[Most important: Precautions before execution] The following operations must be performedMake sure the uninstallation process is complete (or cannot be started at all)If the uninstall appears to be in progress, first restart your PC to make sure the process has stopped completely.
If you are uninstalling using a command, check the status of the "Windows Update Standalone Installer" in the Processes tab of Task Manager. If the "Disk" or "CPU" usage is 0%, it means that the process is not progressing.
To resolve these issues, more advanced troubleshooting is required, such as repairing the system using the System File Checker or DISM commands, or resetting Windows Update components.
Step 1: Repair minor damage with System File Checker
First, use the "System File Checker" that comes standard with Windows to check for and repair minor system file corruption.
Repairing system files in Win10/Win11 with "System File Checker"
Step 2: Repair severe damage with DISM commands
If the System File Checker doesn't resolve the issue, you can use the more powerful DISM command to repair the Windows image file itself.
Once these repairs are complete, try uninstalling the update again.
Not showing up in the list or history? Three root causes and solutions for why uninstallation might be impossible.
If you try the basic steps but still can't click the "Uninstall" button or find the item, we'll explain the root cause and each solution.
Cause 1: Newer updates installed
Windows Update is like building blocks: you can't remove the older blocks underneath until you remove the newest block (the latest update).
[Solution] In "Update History", check if there are any updates that were installed after the update you want to uninstall, and thenStarting with the newest oneTry uninstalling it.
Cause 2: You ran "Windows Update Cleanup"
If you run "Windows Update Cleanup" to free up disk space, the backup files required for uninstallation will be deleted.
[Solution] Unfortunately, once you run the cleanup, you will not be able to uninstall the update. To avoid this, please install the update and thenMinimum 2 weeksWe recommend not performing a cleanup. If you absolutely need to resolve the problem in this state, try "System Restore" or...InitializationThis will be considered.
Cause 3: The DISM command (/ResetBase) was executed.
To save disk space to the absolute minimum, you can use Command Prompt or PowerShell to...DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBaseThis is a case where a powerful command like this was executed. Executing this command permanently locks all previously installed updates onto the system, erasing any information that could have been used to revert them.
[Solution] Similar to Cause 2, after executing this command, you will no longer be able to individually uninstall past updates. This operation cuts off your lifeline in case of problems, so you should be careful not to execute it unnecessarily.
A last resort if you absolutely cannot uninstall it.
If you encounter errors after trying the basic steps, or if the data needed to uninstall the program is missing from the system as described in "Cause 2" and "Cause 3" above, then "System Restore" is the last resort.
System Restore: The Last Line of Defense
System Restore allows you to revert your PC to a state before the update causing the problem was installed. Consider this method if uninstalling the update itself is impossible.
However, to use this feature, a "restore point" created before the problem occurred must exist. Windows often automatically creates a restore point just before an update is installed, so first check if a restore point exists on your PC.
For detailed instructions on how to perform a system restore, from specific verification steps to the actual system restore process, please refer to the "Restore Method" section in the following article.
How to create, restore, and delete system restore points
[Important] How to prevent deleted updates from being reapplied (automatic updates)
Even if you successfully uninstall the problematic update, this is not a fundamental solution. Because automatic updates are enabled in Windows 10 and Windows 11, if left unattended, the same update will be automatically reinstalled, causing the problem to reappear.
To prevent this, you need to pause Windows Update until Microsoft releases a new program that fixes the problem. First, please review the basic steps for pausing updates using Windows' built-in features.
How to Pause Windows Updates Until a Convenient Time [Win11/10]
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