Uninstall quality updates on Windows 10 using Advanced startup

How to uninstall quality updates using Advanced startup on Windows 10

Windows 10 allows you to remove problematic updates using Advanced startup in case you're not able to access the desktop, and here's how to do it.

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.

    Advanced startup, Troubleshoot option
    Advanced startup, Troubleshoot option
  3. Click on Advanced options.

    Advanced startup, Advanced options
    Advanced startup, Advanced options
  4. Click on Uninstall Updates.

    Advanced startup, Uninstall updates option
    Advanced startup, Uninstall updates option
  5. Click the Uninstall latest quality update option.

    Advanced startup, Uninstall latest updates option
    Advanced startup, Uninstall latest updates 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.)

    Uninstall quality update using Advanced startup on Windows 10
    Uninstall quality update using Advanced startup on Windows 10

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

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.