How to uninstall Windows 10 20H2, October 2020 Update

Windows 10 20H2, October 2020 Update, is expected to release for compatible devices sometime in October 2020, but if the new version causes problems as a result of compatibility problems or bugs, then you can rollback to the previous version. However, the process to remove the feature update will depend on how the device obtained it.

For example, if the computer was already running the May 2020 Update, version 2004, then you can uninstall the update using the same steps to remove a monthly update. On the other hand, if you are running an older release like the November 2019 Update (version 1909), then you’ll need to use the recovery settings.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to uninstall version 20H2 to revert to the previous version of Windows 10 without losing your files.

• Uninstall Windows 10 20H2 from version 2004
• Uninstall Windows 10 20H2 from version 1909

Uninstall Windows 10 20H2 from version 2004

To uninstall Windows 10 October 2020 Update (version 20H2) on a device already running the May 2020 Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Click the View update history option.

   

5. Click the Uninstall updates option.

   

6. Select the Feature Update to Windows 10 20H2 via Enablement Package (KB4562830) that matches the date of installation. 

   

7. Click the Uninstall button.

8. Click the Yes button to confirm.

9. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the update containing version 20H2 will remove bringing the device back to version 1909.

Uninstall Windows 10 20H2 from version 1909

To uninstall Windows 10 20H2 (October 2020 Update) from devices previously running version 1909 or older releases, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.

2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under the “Go back to previous version of Windows 10” section, click the Get started button.

   

5. Select a reason why you’re uninstalling the 20H2 Update.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the No, thanks button.

   

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.

   

10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

    

After you complete the steps, the latest feature update will be uninstalled, and the device will revert to the previous version.

Option to rollback is missing on Windows 10

Windows 10 automatically saves a copy of the previous version in the Windows.old folder during each upgrade process in case the installation fails and rollback is required. If the upgrade completes successfully, the Windows.old folder will be kept, and you can use the above instructions to remove the Windows 10 20H2 update.

If the Windows.old folder is not present in the root of the “C” drive, you won’t be able to uninstall the feature update. Usually, after ten days from the original installation, Windows 10 will delete the previous setup files automatically to free update space, which means that after that point the option to rollback will be removed.

In the case that you have the files for the previous version, but the option to go back to a previous version isn’t available, then there is another issue, and you’ll need to downgrade using a clean installation of Windows 10 using an ISO file that contains the older version you want to use.

Once you are back on the previous version, you can try reinstalling the feature update again. If you’re not ready to upgrade, you can always block the Windows 10 20H2 using these steps.

If you no longer have the option to rollback, you can use this guide to configure the system to keep the previous installation for a longer period to allow more time to uninstall an upgrade during the next release of Windows 10.