In addition to addressing security vulnerabilities, monthly Windows updates are primarily aimed at resolving errors and issues that may have arisen. However, it is not uncommon for these updates to introduce new problems.
Several factors contribute to this, from quality assurance issues to the diverse range of software and hardware configurations found in Windows systems, unlike Apple computers.
Recognizing this, Microsoft introduced the Known Issue Rollback (KIR) three years ago. If it is determined that an update is causing widespread issues on computers, Microsoft sends a KIR update to either roll back the affected systems to their pre-update state or distribute a corrected version automatically. This process does not require any action on the user’s part, as the problem is resolved through the Windows update. KIR rollbacks are specifically used for non-security-related errors, not for security patches.
Further reading: 14 Windows tools and tricks that save you serious time
Windows generally allows installed updates to be uninstalled manually in the event of problems. However, this does not apply to all updates.
Microsoft
Windows updates can be uninstalled manually through the Settings app: For Windows 10, go to Update & Security > Windows Update > Show update history > Uninstall updates. For Windows 11, navigate to Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. However, this option may not be available for all updates.
An alternative approach is to delay installing updates immediately and wait a few days. This can help avoid widespread update problems, as Microsoft may have already addressed the issue via a known issue rollback before users encounter it.
In Windows 10, updates can be postponed by one week (“Update pause for 7 days”) or until a specific date through “Advanced options.” In Windows 11, this feature is known as “Suspend updates.” This is particularly useful when users need uninterrupted computer access in the upcoming days and cannot risk update-related issues.
This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.
