How to Delete Windows 11 Update Files Safely (3 Solutions)

Why Delete Windows 11 Update Files?

Since the release of Windows 11, many users have upgraded to Windows 11 to experience the interface and features of the new system. With the Windows 11 update, some users also have the need to delete the Windows 11 update files. Mainly because of compatibility issues with the latest update of the application or hardware driver.

Some of the updates released by Microsoft are designed to fix one specific problem, yet some of those update files unknowingly cause another problem. This can bring risks and insecurity to your computer. You can read on to learn 3 easy and fast ways to delete Windows 11 upgrade files and how to better protect your Windows system.

👉Backup System Regularly for Better Protection

How to Delete Windows 11 Update Files

So, how to remove Windows update files? This article will share 3 simple and quick methods to help you achieve the goal, including using Windows settings, Control Panel, and Command Prompt, you can choose any method according to your needs. You can also learn how to better protect system security.

Method 1. Delete Windows 11 Update Files via Windows Settings

Step 1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings and click Windows Update in the left panel.

Step 2. Click Update history in the right to view the update history of your Windows 11 computer.

Step 3. You can check the list of recently installed Windows 11 updates in your system. Note down the update number that you want to remove from your computer.

Step 4. Scroll down to click Uninstall updates. Select the target update and click Uninstall to uninstall the update from your Windows 11 computer.

Method 2. Delete Windows 11 Update Files via Control Panel

Step 1. Type control panel in the Run window to open Control Panel in Windows 11.

Step 2. Click Uninstall a program under Programs.

Step 3. Click View installed updates in the left panel.

Step 4. Browse the installed updates on your PC, click the problematic or unneeded update and click Uninstall to remove it from your computer.

Method 3. Delete Windows 11 Update Files via Command Prompt

Step 1. Right-click the Start icon and select Windows Terminal (Admin). Click Yes in the pop-up User Account Control window, and this should open Windows PowerShell by default.

Step 2. Press the Ctrl + Shift + 2 shortcuts to launch Command Prompt.

Step 3. In Command Prompt, type the command: wmic qfe list brief /format:table, and press Enter. This will list all Windows updates that are installed on your Windows 11 computer. Remember the HotFixID number of the Windows 11 update that you want to uninstall.

Step 4. Type the command: wusa /uninstall /kb:HotFixID, replace “HotFixID” with the number you noted down in Step 3. Press Enter to uninstall the Windows 11 update.

※ Reminder: You may delete Windows other update like KB5021233 with above three methods to avoid the error (0xc000021a) with a blue screen.

Backup System Regularly for Better Protection

Windows update files may have inadvertently created another problem while fixing one. If you have a lot of Windows update files on your computer, when there is a problem, you need to spend a lot of time finding out which update file is the problematic one and then delete it.

Therefore, it is recommended that you get into the habit of backing up your system regularly, so that even if your system becomes unusable due to any issues with Windows update files, you can quickly restore it with the previously created system backup file.

The free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard is a good choice, it allows you to set different backup frequencies to automatically back up your system on a regular basis, you can also choose different backup methods, backup destinations and multiple Windows operating systems. You need to firstly download AOMEI Backupper Standard, install and launch it. If you are a Windows Server user, you can select AOMEI Backupper Server.

Step 1. Open the software and click Backup > System Backup.

Step 2. It will select system partition and boot-related partitions automatically. And you just need to select a destination.

Step 3. Click Start Backup to backup the Windows system.

Notes:

• Options: You can write comments, choose the compression level for your system backup or set email notifications.
• Schedule Backup: This feature allows you to set the frequency of your backup, such as Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Event trigger and USB plug in. The professional version supports the last two features.
• Backup Scheme: You can select different backup methods. And you can upgrade to AOMEI Backupper Professional to enjoy the differential backup method which can easily restore your scheduled backup. After the upgrade, you can also enable automatic backup cleanup feature to save disk space. 

Summary

Windows 11 update files may inadvertently cause another problem while fixing a bug. When you have a lot of Windows update files on your computer, your system may have problems with certain update files. You can learn 3 ways on how to delete Windows 11 update files in this article.

In order to better protect the security of the system, it is recommended that you regularly back up your system with the free backup software AOMEI Backupper Standard. In this way, even if your system has problems due to Windows update files or other reasons, you can use this system backup to quickly restore without any data loss.

In addition, this freeware also provides Disk Backup, Partition Backup, and File Backup functions to fully protect your computer security. You can download this software to explore more useful functions.