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If you’ve ever experienced a system failure or crash with a new update. You may be frustrated, angry, and disappointed. Luckily, by doing a Windows rollback, you can fix these issues. So what is it exactly?
A Windows rollback is going back to your previous Windows version without the latest updates. Your operating system keeps getting upgrades which sometimes may become inconvenient and annoying. Windows rollback can solve all these annoying automatic upgrades.
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What is Windows Rollback?
Windows Rollback is the process of going back to the previous version without the latest upgrades. You do this by reverting the current updated Window OS to the former without the updates.
While software updates can fix bugs in your machine, they can also break it down with a bunch of new problems.
Some advantages of system updates include protecting your computer from the latest security threats and viruses, offering you a better or improved user experience, and enhancing your operating system’s stability.
Usually, Windows updates are a good thing, but users have experienced and reported several issues with their computers after updating their operating systems in some cases.
Common Issues Caused by Windows Updates
1. File and drive loss.
2. Failure of Windows 10 to boot.
3. Mouse and graphics issues.
4. Degradation of the computer’s performance after an update.
5. Some devices and applications are not compatible with the latest version upgrade.
6. Some users experience the Blue inactive screen.
The issues mentioned above are the reasons most users consider rolling back to their previous Windows version.
If you wonder why you might have experienced any or all of these issues after updating your Windows, the upgrade is the problem, and the solution is to roll back your operating system.
Can you Rollback a Windows 10 update?
After upgrading your Windows 10 operating system, you have a limited time to revert or undo the upgrade. The rollback is only available for up to 10 days for Windows 10.
Should you miss this period, you would have to reinstall Windows 10.
How Rollback Windows 10
Before you begin the rollback process, I advise you to back up all your files or crucial files to avoid losing data. If you have backed your data up, you are set to get started. Here’s a step-by-step guide on a Windows 10 rollback;
Step 1: To run your Windows settings app, press “Win + I” and go to the Update & Security to access the computers’ main interface for Windows backup, recovery, and update.
Step 2: On the left panel of the Update & Security Window, click the Get started button under the option “Get back to the previous version of Windows 10”.
This option allows you to roll back or go back to your previous version if the current one is not working in your favor.
Step 3: The process has started after the previous step. You will answer several questions because you wish to revert your Operating system to the earlier version.
You can click on the box with your specific issue or the “For another reason” button if your case is not listed. Click Next at the bottom left side of the page. When you click next to undo the upgrades, all the latest changes, good or bad, will be lost.
Windows 10 provides you with another chance to check the updates and select the ones you would like to have installed on your computer.
This will allow for a selective update. It saves you lots of trouble, especially when you know the exact update causing your machine to have issues.
In most cases, Windows 10 updates your system automatically so that you may have the same issues even after the rollback.
To prevent such instances, or if you wish to keep your current version, the solution to all your problems is to disable Windows 10 updates. By doing so, you wouldn’t have to go through the rollback process every time there’s an update.
How To Stop Windows RollBack
There are two ways through which you can stop the Windows Rollback option on your computer. When running a Windows 10 operating system on a virtual machine or directly, it displays a menu from which you can select a command upon booting.
Usually, you get the choice to select Windows rollback to restore the initial version of your operating system or choose Preview Technical to boot into Windows 10.
To prevent or stop the rollback option from initiating, you have to act within the 30 seconds during which the selection menu is available on display.
If you don’t stop it then, the rollback will for sure take place by default.
As mentioned earlier, Windows rollback can save you a lot of problems with your computer. And while this is true, when displayed with every boot, it can and will be irritating. You sure don’t want to spend your next 30 minutes waiting for your computer to boot.
The fact is that you might not always need the rollback, so it’s only wise to remove it from your boot menu or lower the timeout value on your boot screen. Doing so will either eliminate the option or leave a timeout that is almost negligible.
Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to remove Windows rollback;
Removal
The best way to remove the Windows rollback is by using the System Configuration tool. Although some people prefer using the bcdedit delete command to do it, I recommend that you use this method outlined below;
1. Click on the Windows button
2. Insert Msconfig.exe.
3. Switch to the boot action at the top of the configuration panel.
4. Select or click on the Windows Rollback option on the menu.
5. Confirm the action and Restart your computer.
Timeout
Set a timeout value that works best for you using msconfig. Usually, the value does not allow you to select something below three seconds from the menu.
If you can work with the three seconds on the menu, you wouldn’t have to go through the process outlined below. If you want to set a value below three seconds up to zero, keep reading.
1. Click the Windows button.
2. Type/ write/ insert cmd.exe.
3. Right-click on the outcome and click on the option to run as administrator. Additionally, before left-clicking on the outcome, you can hold the Ctrl and downshift buttons.
4. A UC prompt will be displayed on your screen; accept it.
5. Type timeout 1/ bcdedit.
You have set and changed your timeout interval to one second. You can set zero or any other number.
Of the two methods, I prefer using the timeout option, as you would still access the rollback feature in the future.
How to get out of Windows Rollback?
When trying to revert your Operating system to the previous version, you can get stuck in a loop where the Windows keep restarting, have the black screen of death, or the rollback won’t simply work.
Rebooting your computer should solve the issue, and here’s how to do it;
Option 1: You can force a shutdown or restart
You can get stuck to a blue screen and a loading indicator. Your PC can stay that way for long, but forcing a shutdown or restarting on it should resolve the issue.
The rollback should start working upon restarting without any problems.
Option 2: Use the Legacy Boot mode
For the users who use DVD and flash drive, the reason you may get stuck on the rollback process is if the flash drive is on UEFI mode. To resolve the issue, you will need to change from UEFI to Legacy boot mode. Here’s how to fix it;
1. Keep pressing Del or F2 while your computer boots to enter BIOS on your keyboard. It only works if that’s your right key, so feel free to keep repeating until you find yours.
2. Find the Boot Mode once you enter BIOS, and change it from UEFI to Legacy
3. Save the changes and initiate the rollback.
Windows rollback is a crucial process that any computer owner ought to know. The process is, however, no walk in the park. Sometimes you might experience several issues trying to rollback to the previous version and get stuck. Having a few ideas and processes to fix any of your problems will save you lots of trouble.