How to uninstall Windows 10 version 1909, November 2019 Update

Windows 10 version 1909 (November 2019 Update) is now available (since November 12) for compatible devices, but if the new version is causing issues as a result of a bug or compatibility problems, then you can rollback to the previous version.

However, the process to remove the feature update will depend upon how your device obtained it. For instance, if your device was already running the May 2019 Update, version 1903, then you can uninstall the update using the same steps to remove a quality update. On the other hand, if you’re running an older release (such as October 2018 Update), then you’ll need to use the recovery settings.

In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to uninstall version 1909 Update reverting to the previous version of Windows 10 without losing your files.

• How to remove Windows 10 version 1909 for May 2019 Update users
• How to remove Windows 10 version 1909 for October 2018 Update users

How to remove Windows 10 version 1909 for May 2019 Update users

To uninstall version 1909 on a device already running the May 2019 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 version 1909 via Enablement Package (KB4517245) 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 1909 will remove bringing your device back to version 1903.

How to remove Windows 10 version 1909 for October 2018 Update users

To uninstall Windows 10 November 2019 Update, version 1909, on devices running the October 2018 Update or an older release, 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 19H2 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, your computer will remove the latest feature update, and it’ll revert to the previous version.

Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 option is missing

Windows 10 automatically saves a copy of the previous version in the Windows.old folder during each upgrade in case the installation fails and rollback is necessary. If the installation completes successfully, the Windows.old folder will be kept on your device, and you can use the above instructions to manually remove the Windows 10 November 2019 Update from your device.

If the Windows.old folder isn’t available, then you won’t be able to uninstall the feature update.

Usually, the option to uninstall the Windows 10 November 2019 Update isn’t available because you’re trying to perform this process after the ten days of the original installation. The Windows.old folder takes a lot of space on your device, and to free up space for more important files, Windows automatically deletes the previous version files folder after ten days of the original installation.

If you have the files for the previous version, but the option to go back to a previous version isn’t available, then there’s 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’re back on the previous version, you can try reinstalling the feature update again. However, if you’re not ready to upgrade, you can always block the Windows 10 version 1909 using these steps.

If you no longer have the option to rollback, you can use this guide to configure your device to keep the previous installation for a longer period so you have more time to uninstall an upgrade of Windows 10 the next time around.

Update January, 2020: This guide was originally published in September 2019, and it’s been revised in January 2020.