GuidesError FixesUndoing Changes Made To Your Computer

Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer [16 FIXES]

We explain how the issue can be fixed by updating drivers, performing a system restore, and more.

You may encounter an error message stating, “Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer,” while installing new updates or modifications to your Windows operating system. In such a scenario, Windows will attempt to undo any recent changes if the installation fails. However, if the error persists, run a “Start-up Repair” or a “Windows Update Troubleshooter” to resolve the issue.

Key Takeaways

  • The error may occur during the installation of Windows updates.
  • It may happen due to corrupt drivers or system files, incomplete installation, bugs and glitches, and other reasons.
  • To fix the Undoing Changes error, you must perform a disk check, run a Windows Update troubleshooter, or initiate a system restore.

What Causes The Error?

Here are possible reasons for the error to occur:

  • Failure to install newer Windows updates.
  • Shortage of free space on the computer’s hard disks.
  • Glitches or faults within the Windows Update Service.
  • Software conflicts.
  • Incompatibility with the connected hardware or issues within it.
  • Presence of bugs or glitches within the system files.
  • Corrupt data and files.
  • Outdated drivers.
  • Incorrect system configurations.

How To Fix The Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer Error?

You can rely on several effective ways to resolve this trouble on your PC. Start with a simple restart, and when nothing works, fully reset your PC to regain its operation. Before moving on, note our pointers for getting the right CPU for your PC.

Restart Your Computer

Before anything else, restart your PC to rule out any temporary glitches or bugs in your system causing the error.

Perform SFC And DISM Scan

Running a System File Checker (SFC) scan helps find missing or corrupt files in your computer and replace them with the correct ones. Furthermore, the Deployment Image Servicing And Management (DISM) searches for any troubles that may have occurred during the Windows installation or update process. If detected, the process will fix them.

These processes should rule out recurring problems in your system or its files to solve the “Undoing Changes” error.

  1. Type “cmd” in the search bar of your PC.
  2. “Command Prompt” will appear in search results. Click the “Run As Administrator” option on the right to launch it in Administrator Mode.
    MSI Command Center Not Working
    Command Prompt Search – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. Now, execute these codes one after the other in the window.
    sfc/scannow
    dism/online/cleanup-image /checkhealth 
    dism/online/cleanup-image /scanhealth

    dism/online/cleanup-image /restorehealth

Launch In Safe Mode

Booting the computer in Safe Mode can help diagnose and fix errors since it loads only the essential drivers and programs for its functioning. You can then run an antivirus scan to identify the issue.

  1. Altogether, press the “Windows+R” keys on the keyboard.
    Windows+R Keys
    Windows+R Keys – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. Search the code “msconfig” in the Run box.
    msconfig
    msconfig – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. It will lead you to the “System Configurations” dialog box.
  4. Head to the second tab, “Boot.”
  5. Leave a mark beside “Safe Boot” and select “Network.” This will enable internet access in Safe Mode.
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Safe Mode With Networking – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  6. “Restart” your PC to boot into Safe Mode and check for the error.
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Restart – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Disconnect Peripherals

Remove unnecessary peripherals connected to your computer, for instance, USBs, printers, or headset mic. Doing so will ensure there are no conflicts with the external devices. 

Perform Start-Up Repair

Start-up Repair is a valuable tool that can isolate issues preventing the operating system from launching smoothly. Hence, try this fix if your computer has trouble with the startup.

  1. On PC Settings’ “Update And Security” section, scroll and select “Recovery” on the left menu.
  2. Press the “Restart Now” button under the “Advanced Startup” heading. Make sure to save your files before restarting.
    Advanced Startup
    Advanced Startup – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. Your computer will now restart into the “Advanced Startup” mode.
  4. Choose “Troubleshoot.”
    Troubleshoot
    Troubleshoot – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  5. Go to “Advanced Options” on the next screen.
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Advanced Options – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  6. Pick “Start-up Repair.”
    Start-up Repair – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  7. The next screen will ask you to select the user profile and enter a password, if any.
  8. The diagnosis will begin after you confirm the credentials.
    Diagnosing PC
    Diagnosing PC – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Carry Out A Disk Check

Bugs or a buildup of corrupt data in your system’s disks can also display this error. Performing a disk check will repair bad sectors, disk errors, and hardware problems to resume an error-free operation. 

  1. Open the “Command Prompt” window.
  2. Execute the code, chkdsk [Disk’s Letter]: /f, to initiate the disk check. Insert the letter for the disk you wish to check in the code. To illustrate, the code for Local Disk D would be chkdsk D: /f.
    Disk Check
    Disk Check – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Also Read: How To Clear PC Cache? [Browser, Windows & Programs]

Inspect Through Event Viewer

If a specific error code follows the “Undoing Changes” message, you can look up more details about the persisting error through Event Viewer.

  1. Search “Event Viewer” via the “Search Bar” and open the results.
    Event Viewer
    Event Viewer – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. Select “Windows Logs” on the left and go to “Setup.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Windows Logs – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. You should find the event logs on the next screen. Click on each log and match the error code you are experiencing with the one shown in the “Setup” window.
  4. If you find a match, look for the code online and apply the relevant fixes.

Update Drivers

Ensure that all the drivers on your system, such as Audio Drivers, Display Drivers, and Bluetooth Drivers, are updated to the latest versions. You can search automatically for updates via the “Device Manager” or install manually from the product’s manufacturer’s website. Learn more about the process with our guide on updating drivers.

Device Manager – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Rename The Software Distribution Folder

The Software Distribution Folder consists of the files needed for the Windows update and installation. Renaming the folder troubleshoots errors related to installing newer Windows updates on your computer.

  1. In the “Command Prompt” window, execute the following codes individually.
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver

    Stop Services
    Stop Services – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. These codes will pause the Windows Update services.
  3. Next, you need to rename the software update folders. Use the codes below.
    Ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    Ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old

    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Rename Software Distribution – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  4. Finally, resume the Windows Update services with these codes.
    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver

    Start Services
    Start Services – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  5. Restart the computer.

Enable App Readiness

App Readiness verifies that the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps and the advanced Windows features can function readily on your computer. Hence, make sure the service is enabled on your computer.

  1. Launch the “Services” window.
    Services
    Services Search – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. Navigate to “App Readiness” and right-click on it.
  3. “Start” the service from the mini-menu.
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Start App Readiness – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Also Read: Ram Buying Guide: Factors To Consider [2023]

Perform A System Restore

Suppose you have recently made changes to your computer, such as modifying system configurations or installing new software, and are now facing an error. In that case, it is possible that the change you made could be the cause of the error.

Therefore, you can restore the system to a certain point to undo such changes and get your computer back to its previous state. However, back up any essential files or data before beginning the System Restore.

  1. Again, go to the search bar and write “System Restore.” From the search, choose “Create A Restore Point.”
    Create A Restore POINT
    Create A Restore Point – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. Click “System Protection” on the upper pane and hit the “System Restore” button.
    System Restore
    System Restore – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. Press “Next.”
  4. Choose the latest restore point and go with “Next.”
  5. Initiate the process by pressing “Finish.”

Manually Delete Recent Windows Updates

If you do not want to perform a System Restore, manually delete the recent Windows updates. Incomplete installation or faults within such updates can affect the PC’s working.

  1. Double-click on the “Control Panel” icon from the “Desktop.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Control Panel – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. Select “Programs” from the list of options.
  3. Under the “Programs And Features,” locate the sub-option to “View Installed Updates.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    View Installed Updates – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  4. You can view all the recent updates made to your computer.
  5. Find the most recent one and right-click on it.
  6. Press the “Uninstall” button.
    Uninstall Update
    Uninstall Update – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  7. Restart your PC after the uninstallation.

Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows Update Troubleshooter is a built-in diagnostic tool that can automatically detect and solve issues with the OS update.

  1. Launch the “Settings” menu.
  2. Choose “Update And Security.”
    Update And Security
    Update And Security – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. Highlight “Troubleshoot” from the left bar. Press the “Additional Troubleshooter” blue button.
    Additional Troubleshooters
    Additional Troubleshooters – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  4. Expand “Windows Update” by clicking once. 
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Windows Update – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  5. Hit “Run The Troubleshooter.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Run Troubleshooter – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  6. The system will start looking for problems.

Turn Off Metered Connection

Disable Metered Connection when installing new Windows updates. Since the process consumes vast amounts of internet data, Windows will avoid installing updates over a metered internet connection. You might also be interested in reading about the MSI command center not working issue.

  1. Click on “Network And Internet.”
    Network And Internet
    Network And Internet – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  2. Press the “Properties” button on the “Status” tab.
    Properties
    Properties – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. Scroll down to the “Metered Connection” section. “Turn Off” via the toggle switch.
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Disable Metered Connection – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Wait For A Few Hours

You might want to wait an hour before applying the next fix in this guide. Quora users suggested that the error may disappear after an hour or a few depending on the size of the update file.

Reset Your PC

Completely resetting your PC will delete your files, data, and the modifications you made to the system settings. The computer will return to the factory default state after the restore. Therefore, we only recommend using this method when you have tried all the possible solutions. Also, keep in mind that the duration of the resetting process will be different for everyone.

  1. Access the “Advanced Startup” menu as guided in Fix 5.
  2. Choose “Reset This PC.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Reset This PC – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  3. Select “Remove Everything.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Remove Everything – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  4. Go with the second option, “Fully Clean The Drive.”
    Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer
    Fully Clean The Drive – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)
  5. Hit “Reset” to initiate the process. 
    Reset Button
    Reset Button – Image Credits (Tech4Gamers)

Final Words

Conclusively, the “Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer” error may be hard to get rid of for some users, although you should be able to troubleshoot the problem with the fixes mentioned above. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Am I Facing The “Undoing Changes” Error On My PC?

You may be facing the error due to insufficient disk space, problems with Windows Update Service, or glitches during the Windows installation.

How Do I Fix This Error?

You can restart the computer, update all drivers, or perform a full reset to eliminate the error.

How Long Will “Undoing Changes” Take?

Ideally, wait about two hours before going ahead with the fixes.


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Ali Rashid Khan
Ali Rashid Khan
Ali Rashid Khan is an avid gamer, hardware enthusiast, photographer, and devoted litterateur with a period of experience spanning more than 14 years. Sporting a specialization with regards to the latest tech in flagship phones, gaming laptops, and top-of-the-line PCs, Ali is known for consistently presenting the most detailed objective perspective on all types of gaming products, ranging from the Best Motherboards, CPU Coolers, RAM kits, GPUs, and PSUs amongst numerous other peripherals. When he’s not busy writing, you’ll find Ali meddling with mechanical keyboards, indulging in vehicular racing, or professionally competing worldwide with fellow mind-sport athletes in Scrabble at an international level. Currently speaking, Ali has completed his A-Level GCEs with plans to go into Business Studies, or who knows, perhaps a full-time dedicated technological journalist.

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