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Everardo Laboy
[German]Some Windows updates are installed as permanent and doesn't offer an uninstall option. This blog post shows how to force uninstalling such update packages (works from Windows 7 up to Windows 10).
Selecting an update shows an Uninstall button (see screenshot above). If an update causes issues, it's possible to uninstall it and test, whether the issues are solved of not. But for some update packages, an Uninstall button isn't available. I was becoming aware of this after installing servicing stack update KB3177467 (from October 11, 2016). Some users are reporting issues. Investigating the update mentioned indicates, that there is no Uninstall button for the patch entry in Installed updates list (see screenshot below).
Microsoft has published a document explaining, in which cases a patch isn't uninstallable. The options available are "try to rollback the system in a state before installing the update using either system restore or a system backup". But what to do, if that options are not available?
Controlling whether an update is permanent or removable is done within .mum files (mum stands for Microsoft Update Manifest) shipped whithin a .msu package. A .mum may be found after installing an update with the folger C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\.
The XML attribute permanency="permanent" quotes an update as not uninstallable, while a missing attribute or an XML attribut value permanency="removable" quotes an update as uninstallable. Only updates with a missing or permanency="removable" attribute are uninstallable via control panel or via dism (Windows 8 and above).
After I've warned about the risk of uninstalling uninstallable updates (create a restore point or an image backup before trying the steps given below) it's time to use the know how, discussed above. We need to open the update`s .mum file and change the XML attribute permanency="permanent" to "removable". This can be done using Windows editor notepad.exe.
There is only one problem: Only TrustedInstaller has full access to .mum files. The web site linked above indicates that the access rights needs to be altered for the .mum file in order to edit its content. But this is complex (it can be done via Security tab of the file's properties) and under Windows 7 I was ending assigning the ownership of a .mum file to group Users. Overall I don't like to alter system files access rights.
After altering all .mum files, you can try to uninstall the package using control panel. Go to Programs and Features and select Installed updates. Select the update package, and now an Uninstall button should be available. Uninstall the package and test, whether the issues are gone. Uninstalling also should be possible within an administrative console window using the following command:
where 3177467 stands for the KB number of the update (see here and here). This approach should work in all Windows versions from Windows 7 up to Windows 10. Afterward it's possible to check the system for damaged system files using sfc /scannow (Windows 7) within an administrative command prompt window. From Windows 8 and up use the article Check and repair Windows system files and component store.
Warning: Use the steps given above as a "last shot" (if system restore isn't available) at your own risk. In best case you can fix an issue caused by the faulty update. In worst case you ruins your Windows installation, because without the uninstalled update further updates can't be installed due to an STATUS_SXS_COMPONENT_STORE_CORRUPT error.
The instructions worked right, thank you. Windows 7 is running stable once again and the update service was disabled after removing about 100 updates up to the point where it was working fine. Had a lot of trouble ever since Windows updates were permitted a few months ago.
Hello, i just want to thank you. A recent update come out and it messed up my mouse somehow and made my PC a bit slow but after following this steps, everything is back how it should be. Again thank you very much
I am also not finding the terms "permanence" or "permanent" in Update KB4284835. Another update did have it and once I changed all of them the uninstall worked, but this one does not have those terms. Any ideas?
You sir/Madame are a legend! Update kb4456655 back in September broke my Intel Wifi card and my intel graphics card! I was able to pinpoint the update as it was a couple of days before I headed out for a trip to the UK. It was so hectic at that time and I was trying to get all my work caught up before we left and the wifi dropping every 5 minutes and having to reset the adapter to get back on was driving me insane but I didn't have time to diagnose it then just had to get my work done! When starting the laptop my screen would also flash and go black and sometimes the graphics would recover and other times I had to restart and try again. I managed to work around all that whilst in England and was on the go there as well so never got to really fix the issue. I tried multiple drivers as a quick fix and nothing worked. I knew it was a Windows update and traced back the day we left to that update above. Was proper peed off when I realized it was irremovable! All my restore points were gone as well. I had a very old image of my laptop but that is on a MyCloud that I got back to find bricked!
Usually I could get the internet to come back on for awhile by resetting the adapter but yesterday it wouldn't come back at all. I had to go buy an external wireless network USB stick so I could at least finish my work.
I had read your article on my phone and thought sod it I would give it one last shot as I was sure that update was the culprit. Made a Restore point and marked all 26 or so .mum files as removable, restarted, it held my breath, it felt like it took forever to boot and at first it didn't work and it still had the dreaded yellow exclamation mark! But i remembered i was now using very old network card drivers for my device as those were more stable then the newest ones after that update. The newest ones would just drop constantly where as the old ones would still drop just not as frequently. So I switched it over and boom i was back in business! Do not want to jinx it and say its fixed completely as have had days where its seemed to work fine before I did this but it was never working on the newest drivers this long without a single drop! Has been nearly 24 hours without a drop!
I owe you a beer ! You saved me the headache of having to wipe my machine down and reinstall Windows and all my software which would have taken me days if not a week :)
i'll just go back to a earlier image with macrium reflect, and then shut down every avenue of update and also shut down task scheduler. i don't need anything to run on my computer except what i tell it, especially if disabling my video is the denouement
In my case, I had 62 mum files to update. I used Notepad++ via powerRun and did "find in files" / "replace" for a quick and easy update from "permanent" to "removable". Probably pretty obvious, but i thought I would mention in case anyone else is in the same boat.
Here is my method to get rid of every update on win 7:
1. Donload Wise force deleter
2. Go to C:\Windows\servicing\Packages and delete every file with "KB" via Wise force deleter
3. Delete the folder "Downloads" in C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution
no entry for KB5006770 in packages folder. Can't uninstall kb in normal way. This update was installed on 13th Oct 2021 and the .cat or .mum files are just not there. Need to uninstall as this kb has caused shared printers to disappear on client machines.
I have used this information successfully over and over in win 10 and 11.
It is very good, thank you.
However, I suggest people should not edit '*.mum' files by hand but use any free force deleter program. That saves one from mistakes that will certainly cause a windows crash.
KB3114409 KB2825678 windows update patch files you may know that has caused many user to only be able to launch outlook in safe mode. that means i can not find anybody in outlook, anyway it is no good patch to me.
so i made batch file for our staff that is for uninstalling windows patch about KB3114409 KB2825678. it seems to be looking those file and uninstall. but if i have a look in installed update console, there is still remain those two.
We know from the previous method that we must navigate to the Installed Updates section in the Control Panel for uninstalling updates. Instead of navigating through the Settings app, we can directly go there from the Control Panel.
Microsoft updates are essential for keeping your computer secure and up-to-date. But in some cases, you might want to uninstall a particular update due to compatibility issues or personal preferences.
Microsoft updates their software, such as Windows and Office, to address vulnerabilities, fix bugs and introduce new features. Knowing about these updates helps protect your computer from potential security threats and keep it running well.
The infamous Windows 10 update in 2018 is a reminder of the importance of properly testing updates before release. It also shows us that uninstalling can sometimes be necessary to protect data and preserve system stability.
To ensure a smooth process when uninstalling Microsoft update, prepare yourself by checking system requirements and creating a backup. Checking system requirements ensures compatibility, while creating a backup safeguards your data. These two sub-sections will provide you with the necessary steps to effectively prepare for the uninstallation process.
To uninstall Microsoft Update, access the Control Panel and find the Microsoft Update. Then, select the Uninstall option. This process allows you to remove the Microsoft Update from your system easily, ensuring that you can manage your updates according to your preference.
Uninstalling Microsoft Update is a must for keeping your PC up-to-date and secure. By routinely searching for updates and getting rid of unnecessary ones, you ensure great performance and secure yourself from potential risks.
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