Uninstall Windows Updates without Uninstall option in Windows 10

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Some Windows Updates when successfully installed on your Windows calculator are marked as Permanent and exercise non offer an Uninstall choice. In this mail, we explain this behavior and likewise provide a walkthrough on how to uninstall such updates.

Before we jump correct into it, a bit of background.

If an installed update causes issues, PC users tin open Control Console, navigate to Programs and Featuresand selectInstalled updates – All installed updates are listed.

Commonly, selecting an update shows anUninstallbutton – but for some update packages, the Uninstall button is greyed out or isn't available, as you lot tin run into from the lead-in image above.

Additionally, trying to uninstall the update via Avant-garde Options or via command prompt is futile.

Microsoft has published a document explaining in which cases a patch isn't uninstallable. The options bachelor are to roll dorsum the system to a previous build before installing the update, perform a system restore, or restore the system epitome fill-in (if yous take previously created a system paradigm backup prior to the update). But what to do, if these options are non available or simply not working for you?

Uninstall Windows Updates marked as Permanent without Uninstall option

Some updates are essentials for Windows and are integrated deeply into the system. Servicing Stack updates (which are at present implemented as a combined packet) are mandatory to install further updates – also installer updates are uninstallable. Microsoft declares such updates as "permanent" within the .msufile, while ordinary update packages are quoted as "removable". Sometimes a KB commodity or the Update Release Notes, under the Removal information section, will indicate that the update is not uninstallable.

An update is set as permanent or removable within .mum (Microsoft Update Manifest) files within an .msu package. These .mum files may be plant subsequently installing an update at the post-obit location as shown on the image beneath:

C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\

The .mum files are but XML files containing data about the update (KB number, language requirements, restart after installation required then on).

As shown in the image below, the XML attribute permanence="permanent" quotes an update as not uninstallable, while a missing attribute or an XML attribute value permanence="removable" quotes an update as uninstallable.

Only updates with a missing orpermanence="removable" attribute are uninstallable via the usual methods.

To uninstall these updates marked as "permanent" from your Windows x device, practise the following:

Starting time, create a system restore point or create a organisation image fill-in, and then proceed equally follows.

Press Windows key + E to open up File Explorer.
Navigate to the directory path below:

C:\Windows\servicing\Packages\

At the location, enter the search expression into the search box (for caseKB4577266*.mum), to filter the relevant files for the uninstallable update packet.
Take ownership of the MUM file.
Once you lot have taken ownership of the MUM file, open the .mum file with any Text Editor.
In the text editor, place the entry permanence="permanent" and modify it topermanence="removable".
Relieve the modified .mum file.
Repeat the steps to a higher place for all .mum files associated with the update packet.

Once y'all're done modifying all the necessary .mum files, you tin can endeavor to uninstall the parcel via Control Console – theUninstall button should be available now.

That's it!

Obinna Onwusobalu, has studied Information & Communication Engineering and is a cracking follower of the Windows ecosystem. He runs a calculator software dispensary. He says information technology's best practice to create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your PC.