Windows Update - Uninstall an Update

How to Uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows 8​

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to uninstall a Windows Update in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to uninstall a Windows Update.

   Note

You can remove some updates, but not updates that affect important operating system files. You should remove an update only if you're sure that it's causing a problem.

If you want, you can reinstall the update later by going to Windows Update in the Control Panel and checking again for updates.

OPTION ONE

Uninstall Windows Update through Installed Updates

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like to open Installed Updates.

2. Open the Control Panel (icons view) in Windows 7 or Windows 8, and click/tap on the Windows Update icon.
A) In the left pane of Windows Update, click/tap on the Installed Updates link at the bottom, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)

3. Open View update history, click/tap on the Installed Updates link at the top, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)

4. Open the Control Panel (icons view) in Windows 7 or Windows 8, and click/tap on the Programs and Features icon.
A) In the left pane of Programs and Features, click/tap on the View installed updates link at the top, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)

5. Double click/tap on a Windows Update that you want to uninstall, OR select a listed Windows Update that you want to uninstall and click/tap on the Uninstall toolbar button. (see screenshot below)

6. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes to approve.

7. When finished, you can close the Installed Updates window if you like.

   Note

Uninstalling some updates may require you to restart the computer to finish uninstalling the update. You will be notified to restart if the update does.

OPTION TWO

Uninstall Windows Update in Command Prompt

1. For how, see: How to Uninstall Windows Update from Console Level
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Remove Outdated Windows Updates in Disk Cleanup in Windows 7
• How to Use Windows Update Cleanup in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Check for and Install Windows Updates in Windows 8
• How to Create Modern "View Update History" Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Create a Installed Windows Updates Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Create a "Windows Update" Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Change the Windows Update Settings in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Windows Updates from Automatically Restarting the Computer
• How to View Windows Update History Details in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Hide or Restore Hidden Windows Updates in Windows 7 and Windows 8
• How to Create a Windows Update Troubleshoot Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Uninstalling Windows Updates in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Programs and Features in Windows 7
• How to Uninstall or Change a Program in Windows 7
• How to Enable or Disable Access to Windows Updates in Windows 7
• How to Reset Windows Update in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Uninstall Windows Update from Console Level
• How to Enable or Disable the Windows Update "Who can install updates" Setting
• How to Download the Standalone MSU Installer File of a Windows Update
• How to Extract a Windows Update
• How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 9
• How to Install or Uninstall Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) in Windows 7

 

[Elliott564]

thank you

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Elliott.

 

[whs]

In Vista there used to be updates that came without an uninstaller. I wonder whether that is still the case in Win7.

 

[Brink]

Hello Wolfgang,

Yes, those same type of Windows Updates are in Windows 7 as well that cannot be uninstalled.

 

[whs]

Thanks Shawn. I wonder what their logic is. I remember a couple of Vista updates (just prior to SP1) that were faulty but could not be uninstalled. And if you did not detect the problem soon, you lost the system restore capability too. Since then I am a fan of imaging.

 

[Brink]

I'm not sure why. I personally would like the option to be able unistall anything that was installed no matter what. I agree, creating a system image before installing anything that changes the system would be a very good idea as a great fail safe.

 

[artinusa]

Very interesting and informative information and very useful..I for one appreciate all the effort put into this group This whole series is very educational and written for the layman..with enough info to understood by most

 

[NeilB91]

Thanks very much Brink, much appreciated.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Neil, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[donhutchinson]

Thanks so much - this really helps.
I'm seeking to uninstall an update that may cause my system to freeze when attempting to play videos in browser and I didn't know how...
Thanks again!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Don.

You might also consider to hide the Windows Update after uninstalling it so that it will be listed to be installed again if you like since it has caused that for you.

 

[donhutchinson]

Thanks for that tip also.

PS - uninstalling the update did not fix the video issue. It's a real pain, can't play anything through the browser without a crash and I have to force close down by holding the power button. Tried various fixes. Maybe I should start a new thread...

 

[Brink]

I'm sorry to hear that Don.

You might see if doing a system restore using a restore point dated before you had this video issue may help.

If not, then yeah it would be best to create a new thread on that issue to get the best help for it since it's not related to this tutorial.