How to Fix Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer Windows 10/11

While installing an update or upgrading Windows 11/10, you might get stuck in a boot loop with the "undoing changes made to your computer" error message. This usually means that your Windows update failed, and the loop will eventually stop. However, some users may remain stuck for hours without progress. Regardless of your situation, let's fix it!

In this complete guide, we explain everything about "undoing changes made to your computer", including its meaning, possible causes, and 11 effective fixes to troubleshoot the issue on Windows 11/10. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, follow this step-by-step guide to escape this frustrating loop quickly!

Part 1: What Does Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer Mean?

The error message "undoing changes made to your computer" means that your Windows computer fails to install updates, and when Windows realizes the failure, it says to you, "Hey, there is something wrong during the update. I can't make it but don't worry, I will revert Windows to the way before the update". Thus, when you see the error message, it suggests a failed update; meanwhile Windows is automatically rolling back to its previous status to keep your computer stable and available, avoiding any negative influence made by the broken update.

🔃 The process of this error message: (Click to Expand) ▼

• Something went wrong during the update. ⬇
• Windows update fails. ⬇
• Windows cancels the update process. ⬇
• It shows you "undoing changes made to your computer" message. ⬇
• Windows restores the system to earlier state. ⬇
• Restart your PC normally.

Usually speaking, the error message "undoing changes made to your computer" will not last too long, less than 1 hour and depends on your update size, making it not a serious issue. All you need to do is wait patiently, then troubleshoot this unsuccessful update after it restarts normally. However, it is abnormal if your Windows is stuck at this error message without any progress beyond a few hours.

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Part 2: How to Fix Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer Windows 10/11

The error message "undoing changes made to your computer" will disappear once your Windows system reverts to its last working state. To prevent future failed Windows updates, you should take certain steps to fix this problem after the system returns to normal. Additionally, for those who are stuck in this loop for hours, specific fixes are also needed. Whether your system can recover from this error or not, the following 11 effective solutions are designed to help you anyway. Refer to the different fixes based on your actual situation.

Different Cases	Corresponding Fixes
After the error: Failed update but your PC boots normally eventually.	Prevent future error: Fix 1. Disable Windows Defender Temporarily Fix 2. Enable Metered Connection Fix 3. Check the Event Viewer Fix 4. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter Fix 5. Run SFC and DISM Scans Fix 6. Update Drivers
During the error: Failed update but can't get the error message past. Stuck in the loop for hours.	Break the loop: Fix 7. Enter Safe Mode Fix 8. Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder Fix 9. Perform System Restore
All above fixes fail. (Updates keep failing, or can't get out of the loop.)	Last resort: Fix 10. Reset Windows Fix 11. Reinstall Windows

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Fix 1. Disable Windows Defender Temporarily

Some antivirus software, like Windows Defender, may exert a negative influence during the update process. Therefore, you can try to disable this feature temporarily to fix the "undoing changes made to your computer" error message.

• Step 1: Type "Windows Security settings" on the Windows search box. Then open it.
• Step 2: Click the "Open Windows Security" from the "Windows Security" section.
• Step 3: Locate "Virus & threat protection" > "Virus & threat protection settings" > "Manage settings".
• Step 4: Toggle off "Real-time protection" to temporarily turn off Windows Defender. You can toggle it on after your successful Windows update.

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Fix 2: Enable Metered Connection

When you turn on metered connection, it prevents Windows from downloading certain updates automatically, helping you fix the error "undoing changes made to your computer".

• Step 1: Press Win + I keys to open the "Settings" app. Then, click "Network & Internet".
• Step 2: Choose "Wi-Fi" or "Ethernet" based on the cinnection type you are using.
• Step 3: Click on the network name you are using.
• Step 4: Toggle on "set as metered connection" under the Metered connection section.

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Fix 3. Check the Event Viewer

The Event Viewer contains your system log, recording all your device activities. You can check the log to identify the error during the failed installation update, and fix the "undoing changes made to your computer" issue.

• Step 1: Type "Event Viewer" in the Windows search box and then open it.
• Step 2: Select "Windows" > "System" from the panel.
• Step 3: Find the activities that match the time when your Windows failed to update and click each event to fix it.

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Fix 4. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is the built-in Windows tool that helps diagnose issues related to updates and fix the "undoing changes made to your computer" error. Simple steps are as follows.

• Step 1: Press Win + I keys to open the "Settings" app. Then, click "Update & Security".
• Step 2: Navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Additional troubleshooters". Wait for a few seconds to expand all the troubleshooters.
• Step 3: Find and click "Windows Update" > "Run the troubleshooter".

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Fix 5. Run SFC and DISM Scans

Both the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) are handy tools for you to scan and repair corrupted files on Windows automatically, making it a great option to fix the error "undoing changes made to your computer".

• Step 1: Type “Command Prompt” in the Windows search box and then right-click it to run it as administrator.
• Step 2: Type “SFC /scannow” and press Enter to start the scanning process.
• Step 3: Wait for the SFC scan to finish, type the following DISM commands, and then press Enter to scan and repair more issues.
1. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
2. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
3. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

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Fix 6. Update Drivers

If you are using an outdated or corrupted graphics driver, the error "undoing changes made to your computer" may also occur. Thus, you should update your graphics driver to fix this issue effectively.

• Step 1: Press Win + X keys and select the "Device Manager" from the list.
• Step 2: In the Device Manager window, expand the "Display Adapters" category.
• Step 3: Right-click the graphics driver under this category, then click "Update driver".
• Step 4: In the next pop-up window, choose the "Search automatically for drivers" option to install the latest version of the graphics driver. Then follow its instructions to update the driver.

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Fix 7. Enter Safe Mode

If you are stuck at this error message, "undoing changes made to your computer" loop, all the above fixes are not useful when your PC can't boot normally. Thus, the first step you need to take is to boot your PC into Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows you to run Windows without certain services. Once you enter the Safe Mode, you escape the loop and can use the following Fix 8, Fix 9, Fix 10 and Fix 11 to resolve this error. Here is how you enter the Safe Mode easily.

• Step 1: After shutting down your PC, power on and then power down when you see the Windows logo.
• Step 2: Repeat Step 1 three times, and then you will see the "Automatic Repair" screen.
• Step 3: Click "Advanced options" to enter WinRE.
• Step 4: Then navigate to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Startup Settings" > "Restart" to open the "Startup Settings" menu.
• Step 5: On the Startup Settings window, press 4 or F4 to select the "Enable Safe Mode" option.



👇 Once you enter Safe Mode, it is suggested to uninstall the failed update on your Windows to fix "undoing changes made to your computer".

• Step 6: Type "Control Panel" in the Windows search box and then navigate to "Programs and Features" > "View installed updates".
• Step 7: Then locate the latest update and right-click it to select "uninstall" it, which has great possibilities for you to get out of the loop.

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Fix 8: Rename SoftwareDistribution Folder

The SoftwareDistribution folder contains certain necessary files for installing Windows updates. The corrupted files lead to the failed update, so you need to rename this folder to make the update successful. Then the "undoing changes made to your computer" error message will be fixed as well.

• Step 1: Type “Command Prompt” in the Windows search box and then right-click it to run it as administrator.
• Step 2: Type the following commands and press Enter one by one to stop the Windows Update Services.
1. 1. net stop wuauserv
2. 2. net stop cryptSvc
3. 3. net stop bits
4. 4. net stop msiserver
• Step 3: Then, you should type the following command to rename the SoftwareDistribution folder.
1. ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
• Step 3: Next, type the following commands and press Enter one by one to initiate the Windows Update Services again.
1. 1. net stop wuauserv
2. 2. net stop cryptSvc
3. 3. net stop bits
4. 4. net stop msiserver
• Step 4: Finally, you can restart your PC to check if the "undoing changes made to your computer" issue has been resolved or not.

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Fix 9. Perform System Restore

The Windows System Restore feature allows you to revert your PC to the previous state; however, you should have created a restore point before that update. In this case, your Windows will go back to a previous working version so as to remove the "undoing changes made to your computer" error.

• Step 1: Type "Create a restore point" into the Windows search bar and then open it.
• Step 2: Click "System Restore" under the "System Protection" tab.
• Step 3: Click "Next" in the pop-up window and choose "Recommended restore" > "Next" to start the restore process.
• Step 4: Follow the instructions to proceed with the restore. After it completes, restart your PC to check if this error has been fixed.

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Fix 10. Reset Windows

If all the above fixes are not helpful in getting rid of the "undoing changes made to your computer" error message, you can refer to this method, resetting your Windows 11/10, so as to resolve related update and system issues.

• Step 1: Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
• Step 2: Navigate to "Update & Security" > "Recovery" > "Get started" under the Reset this PC section.
• Step 3: Then, in the pop-up window, choose "Keep my files" > "Local reinstall" to begin resetting your Windows 11/10.

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Fix 11. Reinstall Windows

If your Windows is too broken or the above Reset fails, you should go with a full Reinstall Windows to fix "undoing changes made to your computer". Both Fix 10 and Fix 11 will delete all your existing apps and settings on Windows, unlike the built-in and easier reinstall process made automatically in Fix 10, this reinstall performs a more powerful and cleaner system for you. Therefore, it's a good option to have a complete reinstallation if your Windows is too damaged to use Reset. This manual reinstall may be a little challenging for novice friends since you need to create a Windows installation media first. But don't worry, we got this. For more detailed steps and information, please refer to the following guide!

• Step 1: Create Windows installation media (a blank USB/DVD/ISO file) by Microsoft's media creation tool.
• Step 2: Insert the installation media into your Windows 11/10, and then restart it to boot your device from the installation media.
• Step 3: Follow the on-screen instructions to set up and reinstall your Windows 11/10.

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Tips: Recover Lost Files from Windows 11/10/8/7

Sometimes an accident happens to your files. While fixing "undoing changes made to your computer", Reset or Reinstall Windows, you may lose your important files. If so, the sooner you use Syncios D-Savior to perform the scan before the data is overwritten, the recovery chance is higher.

Syncios D-Savior, is the all-in-one data recovery expert for Windows, capable of recovering emptied, lost, deleted, or formatted files from HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card, and more external devices. You can recover more than 1,000 file formats from all supported file types, including images, videos, audio, documents, archives, apps, etc. Easy operation makes it a handy tool for both novice and experienced people. Scan, preview, and recover! Let's learn detailed steps!

• Step 1: Launch. Launch Syncios D-Savior on your Windows 11/10. Select the partition/Recycle Bin/SD card, etc. to recover data from, then click the "Scan Now" button.



• Step 2: Scan. After the "Quick Scan", Syncios D-Savior performs the "Deep Scan" to scan your deleted files thoroughly.



• Step 3: Preview. You can search for the target files by "Catalog" or "Type"; meanwhile, preview them as needed.



• Step 4: Recover. After the preview, you confirm and select the files you want to recover, and simply click the "Recover Now" button to customize a recovery path and initiate the recovery process.



• Step 5: Check. A few seconds later, the recovery is successful and you can view the recovered files by clicking the "Recovered" button.

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FAQs About Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer

Final Words

We hope that when you walk through this guide to this part, your issue has been resolved! This ultimate guide explains what undoing changes made to your computer means and how to fix it effectively according to your specific situation. Whether for getting rid of this error loop or preventing future errors, 11 fixes are useful for every confused and frustrated user. Be careful during this troubleshooting. If, unfortunately, you lose your files, don't hesitate to run Syncios D-Savior to scan and recover your valuable data in seconds!

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