How to uninstall Windows 11 23H2 when PC won’t start

• To uninstall the Windows 11 23H2 when the computer doesn’t start correctly, open Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates, and choose the “Uninstall latest quality update” option in the Windows Recovery Environment to roll back to version 22H2.
• Or click “Uninstall the latest feature update” to roll back to Windows 10 or another version that was upgraded using the installation media.

On Windows 11, if after updating to version 23H2, your laptop or desktop computer won’t start correctly, you can uninstall the update and roll back to the previous installation through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

However, the option you have to use will depend on how you previously upgraded the system. For example, if you upgraded from version 22H2 to 23H2 through Windows Update, you will have to use the “Uninstall the latest quality update” since the new version applies a minor cumulative update. On the other hand, if you upgraded a device from Windows 10 or performed an in-place upgrade using a bootable media or the ISO file, then you will have to choose the “Uninstall the latest feature update” option since the new version was applied using a complete installation.

Also, in the case that you have to use the “Uninstall the latest feature update” option, then you only have ten days to roll back. After ten days, the only way to undo the upgrade is to perform a fresh install of the older version.

This guide will teach you the steps to uninstall the Windows 11 2023 Update when your device does not start correctly after the upgrade.

Uninstall Windows 11 23H2 to roll back from version 22H2

To uninstall Windows 11 23H2 when the computer doesn’t start (and previously had version 22H2 installed), use these steps:

1. Press the power button.

2. Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), and you see the blue Windows logo, press the power button again to interrupt the booting process and shut down the computer.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice. (Windows 11 should enter into the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) in the third restart.)

   

4. Click the Advanced options button.

   

5. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

6. Click on Advanced options.

   

7. Click on Uninstall Updates.

   

8. Click the “Uninstall latest quality update” option.

   

9. Sign in using your administrator credentials (if applicable).

10. Click the “Uninstall quality update” button to remove Windows 11 23H2.

    

Once you complete the steps, the computer will uninstall the Windows 11 2023 Update, and it will roll back to version 22H2 or Windows 10. The process should not take more than 10 minutes.

Uninstall Windows 11 23H2 to roll back to Windows 10 

To uninstall Windows 11 23H2 from Windows 10 or upgrade using an installation media, use these steps:

1. Press the power button.

2. Immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST), and you see the blue Windows logo, press the power button again to interrupt the booting process and shut down the computer.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice.

4. Click the Advanced options button.

   

5. Click on Troubleshoot.

   

6. Click on Advanced options.

   

7. Click on Uninstall Updates.

   

8. Click the “Uninstall latest feature update” option.

   

9. Sign in using your administrator credentials (if applicable).

10. Click the “Uninstall feature update” button to uninstall Windows 11 23H2.

    

After you complete the steps, the system will uninstall version 23H2 from the computer, and it will roll back to the previous version of the operating system.