Learn how to uninstall and recover from a cumulative update preview on Windows 11, and how to troubleshoot any issues that may arise after the update.
Cumulative update previews are optional updates that Microsoft releases for Windows 11 users who want to get the latest bug fixes and improvements before they are included in the monthly security updates. These updates are usually released in the third or fourth week of every month, and they are labeled as “Preview” in the Windows Update settings.
While cumulative update previews can help you test the new features and enhancements of Windows 11, they may also cause some problems or conflicts with your system or applications. If you encounter any issues after installing a cumulative update preview, you may want to uninstall it and recover your system to a previous state.
In this article, we will show you how to uninstall and recover from a cumulative update preview on Windows 11, and how to troubleshoot any issues that may arise after the update.
Table of Contents
How to Uninstall Cumulative Update Preview on Windows 11
If you want to uninstall a cumulative update preview on Windows 11, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app by pressing Win+I on your keyboard, or by clicking the Start button and selecting the Settings icon.
- Click on Windows Update in the left pane, and then click on Update history in the right pane.
- Click on Uninstall updates to open the Control Panel window that shows the list of installed updates.
- Find the cumulative update preview that you want to uninstall, and click on it to select it. The cumulative update preview will have a name that starts with “2023-XX Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11”, where XX is the month of the release. For example, the cumulative update preview for December 2023 is named “2023-12 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11”.
- Click on the Uninstall button at the top of the window, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
- Restart your computer to apply the changes.
How to Recover from Cumulative Update Preview on Windows 11
If uninstalling the cumulative update preview does not resolve your issues, or if you are unable to uninstall it, you may need to recover your system to a previous state. Windows 11 has a built-in feature called System Restore that allows you to restore your system to a point in time before the update was installed.
To use System Restore to recover from a cumulative update preview on Windows 11, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app by pressing Win+I on your keyboard, or by clicking the Start button and selecting the Settings icon.
- Click on System in the left pane, and then click on Recovery in the right pane.
- Under the Advanced startup section, click on the Restart now button to reboot your computer into the recovery mode.
- After your computer restarts, you will see a blue screen with several options. Choose Troubleshoot from the menu.
- On the next screen, choose Advanced options.
- On the next screen, choose System Restore.
- On the next screen, choose your user account and enter your password if prompted.
- On the next screen, you will see a list of restore points that you can choose from. Select the restore point that was created before the cumulative update preview was installed, and click on Next. You can also click on Scan for affected programs to see what programs and drivers will be affected by the restore process.
- On the next screen, review the details of the restore point, and click on Finish to start the restore process.
- Wait for the restore process to complete, and then restart your computer.
How to Troubleshoot Issues After Cumulative Update Preview on Windows 11
If you still experience issues after uninstalling or recovering from a cumulative update preview on Windows 11, you may need to troubleshoot your system or applications. Windows 11 has several tools and features that can help you diagnose and fix common problems, such as:
Windows Update Troubleshooter
This tool can help you fix issues related to Windows Update, such as download errors, installation failures, or update history errors. To run the Windows Update Troubleshooter, open the Settings app, click on System, click on Troubleshoot, and then click on Other troubleshooters. Find the Windows Update troubleshooter, and click on Run.
Startup Repair
This tool can help you fix issues that prevent your computer from starting up normally, such as boot errors, corrupted files, or missing drivers. To run the Startup Repair, follow the steps 1 to 4 in the previous section to enter the recovery mode, and then choose Startup Repair from the Advanced options menu.
Safe Mode
This mode can help you isolate and identify the cause of your issues, by starting your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services. In Safe Mode, you can uninstall or update any problematic drivers or applications, or perform a virus scan. To start your computer in Safe Mode, follow the steps 1 to 4 in the previous section to enter the recovery mode, and then choose Startup Settings from the Advanced options menu. On the next screen, press F4 to enable Safe Mode, or F5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking.
SFC and DISM
These are command-line tools that can help you scan and repair any corrupted or missing system files. To run these tools, open the Command Prompt as an administrator, and type the following commands, one by one, and press Enter after each command:
sfc /scannow
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealthReset This PC
This feature can help you reinstall Windows 11 without losing your personal files, settings, and apps. This can be useful if your system is severely damaged or infected by malware. To reset your PC, open the Settings app, click on System, click on Recovery, and then click on the Reset PC button under the Reset this PC section. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your preferred options and complete the reset process.
FAQs
Question: What is the difference between a cumulative update preview and a non-preview update?
Answer: A cumulative update preview is an optional update that contains bug fixes and improvements that will be included in a future non-preview update. A non-preview update is a mandatory update that contains security patches and critical fixes that are released on the second Tuesday of every month.
Question: How can I avoid installing cumulative update previews on Windows 11?
Answer: If you do not want to install cumulative update previews on Windows 11, you can pause or defer the updates in the Windows Update settings. To do this, open the Settings app, click on Windows Update, and then click on Advanced options. Under the Pause updates section, you can choose to pause the updates for up to 35 days. Under the Choose when updates are installed section, you can choose to defer the updates for up to 30 days.
Question: How can I check the update history on Windows 11?
Answer: To check the update history on Windows 11, open the Settings app, click on Windows Update, and then click on Update history. You will see a list of updates that have been installed on your computer, along with their names, dates, and statuses.
Summary
In this article, we have shown you how to uninstall and recover from a cumulative update preview on Windows 11, and how to troubleshoot any issues that may arise after the update. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or using the tools mentioned in this article. Always backup your data and create a system restore point before making any changes to your system. Use the information and tools at your own risk.