How to Undo a Windows Update

By Nick Peers

Microsoft releases updates for its Windows 7 and 8.1 operating systems periodically to enhance their security and performance. It's possible that an update you recently installed might interfere with one of your applications, or even slow down your computer. If this is the case, remove it from your system. Prevent Windows from reinstalling the update after you remove it to avoid any future problems.

Remove Windows Updates

Press "Windows-X" to display the Power User menu in Windows 8.1 and click "Control Panel" to launch the utility. In Windows 7, open the Start menu, type "control panel" and click "Control Panel" to launch the utility. Click "Uninstall a Program" in the Programs section and then click "View installed updates" to view all updates installed on your computer. Select the update you wish to remove and click the "Uninstall" button. Click "Yes" to confirm and remove the update.

Hide Windows Updates

Hide the update after you remove it to ensure Windows doesn't reinstall it later automatically. Open the Control Panel, click "System and Security" and then "Windows Update." Click "Check for updates," right-click the update you wish to hide and click "Hide update." To unhide updates, click "Restore hidden updates" in the left pane of the Windows Update section of the Control Panel, select the updates and click "Restore."

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