Windows 10 21H2 (November 2021 Update) is expected to be available soon. However, if after the upgrade, the new version is having problems due to unknown bugs or compatibility issues, it’s possible to uninstall it to roll back to version 21H1 or an older release. However, the process will be different depending on the release you were running previously.
If the computer was already running version 21H1, 20H2, or 2004, you could uninstall the update quickly using the Windows Update settings. On the other hand, if you had an older release like version 1909, you will have to use the built-in recovery settings.
In this guide, you will learn the steps to uninstall the November 2021 Update to revert to the previous version of Windows 10 without losing your files.
- Uninstall Windows 10 21H2 and rollback to version 21H1, 20H2, or 2004
- Uninstall Windows 10 21H2 and rollback to version 1909
Uninstall Windows 10 21H2 and rollback to version 21H1, 20H2, or 2004
To uninstall Windows 10 21H2 (November 2021 Update) from version 21H1, 20H2, or 2004, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 10.
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Click on Update & Security.
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Click on Windows Update.
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Click the View update history option.
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Click the Uninstall updates option.
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Select the Feature Update to Windows 10 21H2 via Enablement Package (KB50003791) that matches the installation date.
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Click the Uninstall button.
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Click the Yes button to confirm.
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Click the Restart now button.
Once you complete the steps, the update will be removed, bringing the desktop or laptop back to version 21H1, 20H2, or 2004.
Uninstall Windows 10 21H2 and rollback to version 1909
To remove the Windows 10 November 2021 Update from on a computer previously running version 1909 or older release, use these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Update & Security.
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Click on Recovery.
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Under the “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10” section, click the Get started button.
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Select a reason to uninstall version 21H1.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the No, thanks button.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Next button again.
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Click the Go back to earlier build button.
After you complete the steps, the November 2021 feature update will uninstall, and the device will revert to the previous version.
Windows 10 uninstall option is missing
Windows 10 automatically saves a copy of the previous version in the Windows.old folder to roll back if something happens during each feature update installation. If the upgrade completes successfully, the Windows.old folder will be kept on the computer, and you can use the above instructions to remove the Windows 10 November 2021 Update.
If the Windows.old folder has been deleted manually or automatically, you won’t be able to uninstall the feature update. Usually, after ten days from the original installation, the system will automatically remove the previous setup files to free up space, thus removing the option to roll back.
If the option is missing, but you still have the files, something else is going on. In this case, you can still downgrade, but you will need to use a clean installation of Windows 10 using an ISO file that contains the older version you want to use. After the process, you can always try to reinstall the feature update again.
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 15 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 21 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. Email him at [email protected].