How to Fix Windows Rollback to Previous Version Not Working
Can't roll back to a previous Windows version after a bad update? Here's how to troubleshoot the rollback process and recover your system.
What's Happening
You want to undo a recent Windows update by rolling back to the previous version, but the "Go back" option is either missing from Settings, grayed out, not working when you click it, or failing partway through the process. This is frustrating because rollback is supposed to be your safety net when updates cause problems.
Rollback issues typically occur because the 10-day window has passed, the Windows.old folder was deleted, disk space is insufficient, or system files became corrupted. Let's explore your options.
Quick Checks
Before attempting advanced fixes, check these things:
- How long ago was the update? - Windows only keeps rollback files for 10 days. After that, the "Go back" option disappears completely.
- Did you use Disk Cleanup? - If you ran Disk Cleanup and deleted "Previous Windows installations," you've removed the files needed to roll back.
- Is there enough disk space? - You need at least 10-15GB free for the rollback process to work.
- Are you using the right settings path? - The rollback option is in Settings > System > Recovery, not in Windows Update settings.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Fix 1: Verify Windows.old Folder Still Exists
Rollback requires files stored in the Windows.old folder. Let's check if it's still there.
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to
C:\(your main drive) - Look for a folder named Windows.old
- If you don't see it, click View in the ribbon and check Hidden items
- If Windows.old exists and contains folders, rollback might still be possible
- If Windows.old is missing or empty, you can't use the built-in rollback feature
Fix 2: Extend the Rollback Window (If Still Within 10 Days)
If you're still within the 10-day window but worried it will expire, you can extend it to 60 days using a command.
- Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)
- Type this command:
DISM /Online /Set-OSUninstallWindow /Value:60 - Press Enter
- If successful, you now have up to 60 days to roll back
- Note: This only works if you run it before the original 10 days expire
Fix 3: Use Advanced Startup to Access Rollback
Sometimes the rollback option in Settings doesn't work, but you can access it through Advanced Startup (Recovery Environment).
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery
- Under "Advanced startup," click Restart now
- Your computer will restart to a blue screen with options
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options
- Look for Go back to the previous version of Windows or Uninstall Updates
- Follow the prompts to roll back
- This can take 30-90 minutes
Fix 4: Use System Restore as an Alternative
If rollback isn't available, System Restore can return your system to a state before the update, though it won't fully downgrade your Windows version.
- Search for "Create a restore point" in the Start menu
- Click System Protection tab
- Click System Restore
- Select a restore point dated before the problematic update
- Click Next and follow the wizard
- Your computer will restart and restore to that point
- Your files won't be affected, but some installed programs might need to be reinstalled
If Nothing Worked
If you can't roll back using the standard methods:
- Perform an in-place upgrade to the older version - If you have installation media for the previous Windows version, you can "upgrade" to it (which is actually downgrading). Download the older Windows version's ISO from Microsoft, mount it, and run setup.exe while choosing to keep your files.
- Use Windows installation media for recovery - Create a Windows 10 or 11 installation USB, boot from it, and select "Repair your computer" to access advanced recovery tools that might restore previous versions.
- Clean install as last resort - If all recovery options fail and your system is unstable, back up your files and perform a clean Windows installation. This is time-consuming but gives you a fresh start.
When to Call a Pro
Professional help is recommended if:
- You need to preserve specific software configurations or business-critical applications during downgrade
- The rollback process fails partway through and your system won't boot properly
- You're getting Blue Screen errors when attempting rollback
- You need to recover data before performing a clean installation
- You're not comfortable using Recovery Environment or creating installation media
- Your computer is having hardware issues that might complicate the rollback
A technician can use advanced tools to attempt recovery, safely back up your data, perform clean installations while preserving your files, and ensure your system is stable and properly configured after the process.
Need Professional Help?
If you're in the Tampa Bay area and need hands-on assistance, Geeks in Sneaks provides friendly, on-site tech support in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, and Dunedin.
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