Solved Rollback to 23H2?

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

This past week the 24H2 update arrived via Windows Update with no opportunity to reject it, just to restart the computer to install it.

My system has been a clown car of random problems since then, most prominently Windows Search doesn't find any Windows features like Windows Update, System Restore, Recovery, etc. I opened a Settings window and worked my way to Recovery but the "Go back" button doesn't respond. It's not greyed out, just nothing happens when I click it.

At one point, I couldn't get the Start menu to appear, but other times (like now) I can.

Is there a way to revert back to 23H2 (which worked just fine) without reinstalling Windows? And, I guess, suggestions after that for how to prevent Windows Update from forcing 24H2 on my system?

PS: sfc /scannow completed successfully and "did not find any integrity violations."

saltedm8 · Dec 23, 2024

Did you ever create a restore point?

Use System Restore in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to use System Restore to go back to a restore point in Windows 11. Turning on system protection for a drive allows System Restore to include the drive when restore points are created so you can undo undesired system changes by reverting to a previous point in...

www.elevenforum.com

rezpower · Dec 23, 2024

An backup image is the only reliable and best rollback solution I ever use.

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

saltedm8 said:
Did you ever create a restore point?

Use System Restore in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to use System Restore to go back to a restore point in Windows 11. Turning on system protection for a drive allows System Restore to include the drive when restore points are created so you can undo undesired system changes by reverting to a previous point in...

www.elevenforum.com

Yes, I made a Restore Point right after the first boot into 24H2, then another one while I was updating apps, and then a third one when all my apps were up to date. None to the Restore Points work. After booting as a part of the restore, the notification window says the restore was unsuccessful with a note saying it might be because of antivirus being active. For the 2nd and 3rd attempt at System Restore, I deactivated WiFi and antivirus, and still got the message saying it was unsuccessful at restoring.

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

rezpower said:
An backup image is the only reliable and best rollback solution I ever use.

Ugh. Thanks!

saltedm8 · Dec 23, 2024

wpcoe said:
Yes, I made a Restore Point right after the first boot into 24H2, then another one while I was updating apps, and then a third one when all my apps were up to date. None to the Restore Points work. After booting as a part of the restore, the notification window says the restore was unsuccessful with a note saying it might be because of antivirus being active. For the 2nd and 3rd attempt at System Restore, I deactivated WiFi and antivirus, and still got the message saying it was unsuccessful at restoring.

Have you tried to restore it from safe mode?

dacrone · Dec 23, 2024

wpcoe said:
This past week the 24H2 update arrived via Windows Update with no opportunity to reject it, just to restart the computer to install it.

My system has been a clown car of random problems since then, most prominently Windows Search doesn't find any Windows features like Windows Update, System Restore, Recovery, etc. I opened a Settings window and worked my way to Recovery but the "Go back" button doesn't respond. It's not greyed out, just nothing happens when I click it.

At one point, I couldn't get the Start menu to appear, but other times (like now) I can.

Is there a way to revert back to 23H2 (which worked just fine) without reinstalling Windows? And, I guess, suggestions after that for how to prevent Windows Update from forcing 24H2 on my system?

PS: sfc /scannow completed successfully and "did not find any integrity violations."

1) has it been 10 days or longer since the upgrade?
2) did you run disk cleanup and remove old windows installation files?

neves · Dec 23, 2024

wpcoe said:
"Go back" button doesn't respond. It's not greyed out, just nothing happens when I click it.

That's only possible 10 days - after upgrading to 24H2. Unless you have a back-up with 23H2 - only a clean install can solve... this issue.

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

saltedm8 said:
Have you tried to restore it from safe mode?

Not yet. I'll try that next. In the mean time, here's the System Restore message I get:

dacrone said:
1) has it been 10 days or longer since the upgrade?
2) did you run disk cleanup and remove old windows installation files?

No, and no.

neves said:
That's only possible 10 days - after upgrading to 24H2. Unless you have a back-up with 23H2 - only a clean install can solve... this issue.

The update to 22H2 was five days ago (18-Dec.)

Bree · Dec 23, 2024

wpcoe said:
I opened a Settings window and worked my way to Recovery but the "Go back" button doesn't respond. It's not greyed out, just nothing happens when I click it.

If it is more than 10 days since the upgrade to 24H2 then it's too late to go back. Likewise if you have deleted Windows.old yourself you cannot go back.

If is is less than 10 days, and you still have Windows.old, then there are other ways to go back besides Settings. You can also go back from Advanced Startup at boot, see Option One in this tutorial.

Go Back to Previous Version of Windows in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to go back to the previous Windows from Windows 11 without losing your documents, photos, and other personal files. Windows 11 gives you the ability to uninstall and go back (roll back) to a previous version of Windows. When you upgrade to Windows 11 from...

www.elevenforum.com

saltedm8 · Dec 23, 2024

wpcoe said:
Not yet. I'll try that next. In the mean time, here's the System Restore message I get:

View attachment 120101

No, and no.

The update to 22H2 was five days ago (18-Dec.)

Yeah, something interfered with the restore process, hopefully safe mode should solve the issue.

Bree's suggestion is also viable

Rollback to 23H2?

This past week the 24H2 update arrived via Windows Update with no opportunity to reject it, just to restart the computer to install it. My system has been a clown car of random problems since then, most prominently Windows Search doesn't find any Windows features like Windows Update, System...

www.elevenforum.com

glasskuter · Dec 23, 2024

If the "go back" button is not grayed out but the the rollback function will not start from within windows, it would be worth a try using recovery from the pre-boot environment. If it won't work from there, your only option is a clean install of either 24h2 or 23h2.

Enter Recovery Mode: Power on your computer. As soon as you see the Windows logo, press and hold the power button until the system shuts down. Repeat this “start-shutdown” cycle two or three times until you’re greeted by the Preparing Automatic Repair screen.
Access WinRE: Allow Automatic Repair to launch and then select Advanced Options when prompted.
Uninstall Updates:
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Uninstall Updates.
- Next, click Uninstall Latest Feature Update and confirm your choice.
Restart and Rollback: After the system processes the uninstallation, restart your computer

dacrone · Dec 23, 2024

you can also open Command Prompt as Admin and run:

Code:

DISM /Online /Initiate-OSUninstall /Quiet

should immediately reboot and begin rollback

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

saltedm8 said:
Have you tried to restore it from safe mode?

System Restore from Safe Mode resulted in the same "did not restore successfully" message as shown above. Oh, well, it was worth a shot. Now to check out all the new suggestions.

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

Bree said:
If it is more than 10 days since the upgrade to 24H2 then it's too late to go back. Likewise if you have deleted Windows.old yourself you cannot go back.

If is is less than 10 days, and you still have Windows.old, then there are other ways to go back besides Settings. You can also go back from Advanced Startup at boot, see Option One in this tutorial.

Go Back to Previous Version of Windows in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to go back to the previous Windows from Windows 11 without losing your documents, photos, and other personal files. Windows 11 gives you the ability to uninstall and go back (roll back) to a previous version of Windows. When you upgrade to Windows 11 from...

www.elevenforum.com

Option One was a bust: After System > Recovery > Advanced Startup, clicking on <Restart Now> just rebooted back up to my normal Desktop.

I'm about to try Option Three, DISM /Online /Initiate-OSUninstall /Quiet, but wanted to quickly report the results of Option One, in case things go ever farther south with DISM and I can't report back for a while.

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

dacrone said:
you can also open Command Prompt as Admin and run:

Code:

DISM /Online /Initiate-OSUninstall /Quiet

should immediately reboot and begin rollback

Thanks. That's what I ended up doing. It was Option Three on @Bree's page of suggestions, too.

The DISM option seems to have worked:

... but some things still need some work. e.g. Even though the Snipping tool used to capture the entire window for the winver results, all it captured was what you see above. Also, can't open Store. If I find too many things messed up, I'll just reinstall 23H2 from a USB drive and start over.

Thanks all!

wpcoe · Dec 23, 2024

OH! How do I keep 24H2 from reasserting itself onto my system?

dacrone · Dec 23, 2024

1) just reinstall the store

How to Install New Microsoft Store for Windows 11

Here's how to install the new Microsoft Store for Windows 11 if your preview setup doesn't include the updated app. Alongside Windows 11, on June 24,

winaero.com

2) Specify Target Feature Update Version in Windows 11

Anixx · Dec 23, 2024

wpcoe said:
OH! How do I keep 24H2 from reasserting itself onto my system?

GitHub - DavidXanatos/wumgr: Windows update managemetn tool for windows 10

Windows update managemetn tool for windows 10. Contribute to DavidXanatos/wumgr development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

dacrone · Dec 23, 2024

if good to go, please mark thread as solved for future users searching for the same issue. thanks.

Solved Rollback to 23H2?

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