How to uninstall quality updates using Advanced startup on Windows 10

On Windows 10, updates are mandatory to ensure your device stays secure and you have access to the latest features and improvements.

The caveat about this approach is that sometimes cumulative updates can rollout with bugs, compatibility, and other problems that may negatively affect your experience, such as being unable to access the desktop. However, when something like this happens, you can use the Advanced startup environment to uninstall the latest update causing problem to regain access.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to uninstall quality updates when they’re causing problems and as a result you can’t access the desktop on Windows 10.

How to remove cumulative updates using Advanced startup

To uninstall a problematic cumulative update using the Advanced startup environment on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Start your device in Advanced startup.

   Quick tip: Depending on the severity of the problem, you can access the Advanced startup environment in several ways. You can use this guide to learn all the available methods to access Advanced startup, and then continue with the steps below.

2. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

3. Click on Advanced options.

   

4. Click on Uninstall Updates.

   

5. Click the Uninstall latest quality update option.

   

6. Sign in using your administrator credentials.

7. Click the Uninstall quality update button. (Although, you can’t select the update, Windows 10 is smart enough to remove only the latest patch automatically.)

   

Once you’ve completed the steps, the system will uninstall the latest cumulative update on your device (if available).