How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 [Update]

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

Share this article

Improve this guide

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more

Important update: Many of you are probably getting bugs and issue with yourWindows 8.1install, this is why Irecommend to read this. If you have anofficialWindows 8.1updatealready running on your Windows 8 device, you might want to try the following suggestions, but most likely, just like Microsoft said, there is no way at the moment to uninstall it. Leave a comment at the end letting us know what made you uninstall theWindows 8.1update.

Windows 8.1was released a few years ago and those who were anxious totry it for themselveshave already installed it and saw what it can do. However, the final product might still have some issues. Therefore, those who don’t want to fiddle with these issues might want touninstallWindows 8.1and revert to the plain oldWindows 8 or Windows 7.

UninstallingWindows 8.1can be done in a few ways, as it depends on whatoperating systemyou had before, but it can be done. The amount of work you have to put in is depends on the manner of theinstallationyou made.

Microsoft was kind enough to give us a FAQ on howWindows 8.1that manages to answer (more or less) most of the questions users might have. In this FAQ, those who want to revert to their originalOScan see exactly how to uninstallWindows 8.1from their computer.

There are two ways of uninstallingWindows 8.1from your computer, and, as mentioned before, it depends on how you installed it, or more exactly, if youupgraded for free from Windows 8or if you did a clean install from Windows XP, Vista or 7.

How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 easily

Microsoft gave a few pointers on how you can manage to uninstallWindows 8.1, depending on what type ofinstallationyou did, and the two solutions will be presented as plainly as we can, so you can accomplish this with the least amount of effort.

Method 1: If you upgraded for free from Windows 8

If you already have Windows 8 installed on your device, then you most likely upgraded toWindows 8.1with the free patch (link below).

If this is how you installed it, then uninstallingWindows 8.1is as simple as doing aSystem Restoreor a System Refresh (Settings->Change PC Settings->General->Refresh or Restore). Keep in mind that you will need a bootable Windows 8 disk, either a DVD or a memory stick to do this.

Method 2: If you did a clean install from older versions of Windows

On the other hand, if you went all the way fromWindows XP, Vista or 7 toWindows 8.1, theprocesswill take a while longer and there will be some data loss. Basically, in this scenario, in order to uninstallWindows 8.1, you will need to format and reinstall your oldoperating system.

If you require additional information aboutWindows 8.1, feel free to check out our posts about it:

Also, if you wish to see the official MicrosoftWindows 8.1page,follow this linkand get whatever information you need. You can use any of these two methods to uninstallWindows 8.1from your computer. If you had problems withWindows 8.1, remember that it will receive many more upgrades and bug fixes in the near future, so when the final product is released, it will work properly.

How to uninstallWindows 8.1[Update]

The above guide covers the first version ofWindows 8.1and theWindows 8.1 Update. So we’re going to provide new information on how to delete theWindows 8.1 Update1. Here are the steps that you need to take:

Also, try this:

Let us know if this worked and, of course, as always, leave your angry comment below if you have one.

Install Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest OS version

We know there are many Windows 8 andWindows 8.1users out there who wouldn’t give up using their good oldOSfor anything in the world. However, it is worth mentioning that Microsoft ended mainstream support forWindows 8.1in January, 2018. TheOSis now on Extended Support until January, 2023. After this date, Microsoft will stop releasingWindows 8.1 security updates.

Windows 10 April Update is Microsoft’s latestOSversion. The newOSbrings a series of interesting new features and protects your computer against the latest cyber threats. If you want to use the news Windows 10 features, we strongly recommend that youupgrade to the Windows 10 April Update.

How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 [Update]#

How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 easily#

Method 1: If you upgraded for free from Windows 8#

Method 2: If you did a clean install from older versions of Windows#

How to uninstallWindows 8.1[Update]#

Install Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest OS version#