Issue with updating Windows 11 on my laptop

Natasha du Plessis 0 Reputation points
2026-08-29T11:33:55.48+00:00

I have been trying for weeks to run a windows 11 update. It gets to 97% and then tries to undo the updates.

How do i complete the update?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update
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  1. DaveM121 937.9K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-29T12:07:08.9466667+00:00

    Please provide some information about your current Windows build number and the update(s) that are failing.

    1

    Click your Start Button, type winver and hit Enter

    Please provide a screenshot of the resulting dialog.

    2

    Open the Settings App

    Go to Windows Updates

    Please provide a screenshot of that window

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-29T11:34:11.4933333+00:00

    Try this in order:

    1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter.
      • Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
      • Find Windows Update and select Run.
      • Follow the on-screen steps.
    2. Check free disk space.
      • Windows needs enough free space to complete updates.
      • For upgrades, the guidance is at least 16 GB free for 32-bit Windows or 20 GB for 64-bit Windows.
    3. Restart the laptop, then try the update again.
      • A restart can clear apps or services that are blocking the install.
      • Then go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
    4. Disconnect nonessential hardware.
      • Remove devices such as USB drives, printers, scanners, external drives, speakers, and docking stations before retrying the update.
    5. Temporarily remove non-Microsoft antivirus software if installed.
      • Some third-party antivirus products can block upgrades.
      • This changes device protection, so re-enable protection after testing.
    6. Repair system files, then retry Windows Update.
      • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
      • Run: 
             DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
      • After it completes successfully, run: 
             sfc /scannow
      • Wait for the scan to reach 100%, close Command Prompt, and try the update again.
    7. If the update still rolls back at the end, uninstall the latest quality update from Windows Recovery Environment.
      • Hold Shift while selecting Restart to enter recovery, or otherwise access Windows RE.
      • Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates.
      • Select Uninstall latest quality update.
      • Then retry Windows Update.
    8. If Windows Update continues to fail, use a repair reinstall of the current version of Windows.
      • In Settings > System > Recovery, under Fix problems using Windows Update, select Reinstall now.
      • This repair installation keeps files, apps, and settings.

    If the failure message is “We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes.”, check Start > Settings > Windows Update > Update history and note the error code for the failed update.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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