If Windows still starts, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, select the suspected update, and choose Uninstall. If Windows will not start normally, use Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE): Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall updates. These are troubleshooting steps, not proof that the update caused the game crash; record its KB number and install date, then retest the same game after restarting.
Before removing an update, check whether it is a credible suspect
A game crash that began after a Windows update establishes timing, not causation. Record the Windows version and build, the update’s KB number and install date, the game, and the crash behavior. Change one thing at a time and retest under comparable conditions so you can tell whether removing the update changed the result.
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Check the release-health notice for your exact Windows version and KB before attributing a general game problem to a preview update. For example, Microsoft’s September 22, 2026 notice for Windows 11 version 26H1 KB5124006 (OS Build 28000.3086) Preview describes desktop-loading issues observed primarily on Azure Virtual Desktop hosts using FSLogix after earlier updates. It is a narrow managed-environment issue, not evidence that the update causes consumer game crashes. Read Microsoft’s Windows 11 version 26H1 release-health notice.
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How to uninstall a Windows update when Windows opens
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Update history. Note the suspected update’s KB identifier and installation date.
- Select Uninstall updates.
- Find the suspected update, select Uninstall, and follow the prompts.
- Restart if prompted. Launch the same game and check whether the crash still occurs.
Microsoft documents this route for Windows 10 and Windows 11, but labels can vary by version, and some updates cannot be uninstalled. Microsoft generally does not recommend removing installed updates, so use removal as a targeted troubleshooting step rather than routine maintenance. Removing a security update can also leave the PC exposed to issues that update was intended to address. Microsoft’s instructions for uninstalling a Windows update and Windows Update FAQ explain the limitations.
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How to remove an update if Windows will not start normally
Open Windows Recovery Environment
If Windows is still accessible, you can enter recovery from Settings. In Windows 11, use Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. In Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and choose the advanced startup option. Another documented route is to hold Shift while choosing Power > Restart. Some devices also have a manufacturer-provided recovery button or key combination.
In WinRE, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall updates, then select the on-screen update category that fits the update you are trying to remove. Microsoft’s uninstall page displays the same “Uninstall latest quality update” wording for both alternatives, so rely on the categories shown on your device rather than assuming a particular feature-update label. Microsoft’s Windows Recovery Environment guidance covers recovery access and options.
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Have the recovery key ready
If device encryption or BitLocker is enabled, locate the recovery key before relying on recovery tools. Microsoft notes that some tools may require it. For a managed work or school PC, contact IT before changing recovery or update state: the organization may control these options or provide remote recovery tools. Microsoft’s recovery-options guide describes the available paths.
If uninstalling the update is unavailable or does not fix the crash
Escalate from the narrowest recovery action to broader rollbacks or reinstalls. The options below differ in what they undo and what they retain.
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| Option | What it changes | Files, apps, and settings | Availability or prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reinstall the current Windows version through Windows Update | Reinstalls the current version rather than targeting one update. | Preserves files, apps, and settings. | Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. |
| System Restore | Rolls back system files and settings to a restore point. | Does not roll back personal files. | Windows 10 and Windows 11; a suitable restore point must be available. |
| Point-in-time restore | Uses an automatic snapshot to roll back system state. | Can roll back personal files, apps, and settings; changes made after the selected restore point are lost. | Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. |
| Reset this PC | Reinstalls Windows. | You can choose to keep personal files; apps and settings are removed. | Available through Windows recovery options. |
| Reinstall from installation media | Reinstalls Windows; a clean install removes data from the selected drive. | A clean install removes files, apps, and settings from that drive. | For installation media, Microsoft specifies a USB drive with at least 8 GB and another working PC to create it. |
Back up important files before broader recovery, especially before a reset or clean installation. Microsoft’s recovery-options guide explains these methods and their effects. Installation media is a fallback when Windows will not start and other recovery media is unavailable; it is not needed to uninstall an update through Settings or WinRE.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep Windows version and support status in mind
The removal and recovery instructions above cover Windows 10 and Windows 11, but Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Do not treat a Windows 10 installation as currently receiving free Windows Update software updates or security fixes. Preview-update notices also change over time, so match any advisory to the exact Windows version, build, KB, and deployment type before connecting it to a game crash. Microsoft’s uninstall guidance and Windows Recovery Environment guidance provide the applicable procedures and limitations.
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