How to Fix “We Couldn’t Complete the Updates” and Undoing Changes in Windows 10

If Windows 10 displays “We couldn’t complete the updates. Undoing changes made to your computer”, an update failed and Windows is rolling the system back to its previous working state. Let the rollback finish if it is still progressing. If the message returns on every restart, sign in when possible and work through the fixes below in order. If Windows never reaches the desktop, jump to the Windows Recovery Environment step.

Windows 10 support note: Microsoft ended standard Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. A Windows 10 PC still works, but normal free security and feature updates are no longer provided. Microsoft currently offers Extended Security Updates for eligible devices, while LTSC and commercial deployments can have different servicing timelines. If your PC is not entitled to updates, troubleshooting cannot restore the normal Windows 10 support lifecycle. See Microsoft’s Windows 10 end-of-support guidance.

1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Microsoft recommends starting with the automated Windows Update troubleshooter. Open Get Help, search for Windows Update troubleshooter, and follow the prompts. On Windows 10 builds that still expose the older Settings path, you can also use Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update. Restart the PC afterward and try Windows Update again.

2. Check storage, power, connection, and external hardware

Before changing update components, rule out common causes. Keep a laptop connected to power, use a stable internet connection, and disconnect nonessential external drives, docks, USB adapters, and other peripherals. Then open Settings > System > Storage and free space on the Windows drive if it is low. Microsoft specifically lists external hardware, connectivity, administrator access, and available disk space among its current Windows Update troubleshooting steps. For cleanup options, see Free up drive space in Windows.

3. Clear the Windows Update cache

Corrupted files in the update cache can cause repeated installation failures. Microsoft’s current guidance is to stop the Windows Update service, clear the contents of the SoftwareDistribution folder, then start the service again.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Right-click Windows Update and choose Stop.
3. Open C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution in File Explorer and delete the files and folders inside it.
4. Return to Services, right-click Windows Update, and choose Start.
5. Restart the PC and check for updates again.

4. Repair Windows with DISM and System File Checker

If update components depend on damaged system files, repair the Windows image first and then scan protected system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands in this order:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

sfc /scannow

Do not close the window until each command finishes. Microsoft specifically instructs users to run DISM before SFC. Restart afterward and retry the update. Full syntax and result messages are documented in Microsoft’s DISM and System File Checker guide.

5. If Windows is trapped in the undoing-changes loop, uninstall the latest update

If Windows will not reach the desktop, use the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). If you can still sign in, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and select Restart now under Advanced startup. Windows can also enter Automatic Repair after repeated failed starts.

In Windows RE, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates, then remove the latest quality update. Microsoft documents this path in its Windows update removal guide and Windows Recovery Environment documentation.

6. Try System Restore if the problem began after a recent change

If a restore point exists from before the update failures started, select System Restore in Windows RE. System Restore rolls back system files, drivers, registry settings, and installed programs to the selected point without deleting your personal files. It is a better next step than registry cleaners or manual registry edits.

7. Reset or repair-install Windows only as a last resort

Back up important files first. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC > Get started. Keep my files reinstalls Windows while retaining personal files, but it removes installed apps and resets many settings.

If Windows still starts normally, an in-place reinstall from official installation media can also repair the operating system while offering options to preserve personal files, apps, and settings. Microsoft explains the choices in Reinstall Windows with installation media.

What not to do

Avoid generic registry cleaners, random driver-updater utilities, and disabling unrelated Windows services such as Network List Service as a blanket fix. Those older workarounds are not part of Microsoft’s current Windows Update troubleshooting flow and can create additional problems.

If the same update still fails after clearing the cache, repairing system files, and uninstalling the latest update, note the update’s KB number or error code from Update History. On a work or school PC, contact your IT administrator. On a Windows 10 device that is no longer eligible for servicing, the durable fix is to move to a supported Windows version rather than repeatedly forcing the same failed update.