How to uninstall Windows 10 20H2, October 2020 Update

If you're having problems after the upgrade to Windows 10 version 20H2, or you're not ready for the new upgrade, use these steps to remove it from your device.

Uninstall Windows 10 20H2
Uninstall Windows 10 20H2

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

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

Warning: These steps are only meant for devices running the May 2020 Update (version 2004). If you’re running an older version, then you’ll to need use the steps to use the recovery options.
  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Update & Security.

  3. Click on Windows Update.

  4. Click the View update history option.

    Update history option
    Update history option
  5. Click the Uninstall updates option.

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

    Windows 10 20H2 (KB4562830) uninstall
    Windows 10 20H2 (KB4562830) uninstall
  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:

Warning: You’ll be modifying a current installation, as such make sure to create a full backup of your system in case something happens and you need to undo these changes.
  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.

    Uninstall Windows 10 20H2 option
    Uninstall Windows 10 20H2 option
  5. Select a reason why you’re uninstalling the 20H2 Update.

  6. Click the Next button.

  7. Click the No, thanks button.

    Skip check for updates
    Skip check for updates
  8. Click the Next button.

  9. Click the Next button again.

    Remove Windows 10 20H2 details
    Remove Windows 10 20H2 details
  10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

    Windows 10 20H2 remove option
    Windows 10 20H2 remove option

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.

Windows.old folder on Windows 10 Fall Creators 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.

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.