Undoing Changes Made To Your Computer [16 FIXES]

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• Outdated drivers.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.

   

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.

   

2. Search the code “msconfig” in the Run box.

   

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.

   

6. “Restart” your PC to boot into Safe Mode and check for the error.

   

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.

   

3. Your computer will now restart into the “Advanced Startup” mode.
4. Choose “Troubleshoot.”

   

5. Go to “Advanced Options” on the next screen.

   

6. Pick “Start-up Repair.”

   

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.

   

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.

   

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.

   

2. Select “Windows Logs” on the left and go to “Setup.”

   

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.

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
   

   

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
   

   

4. Finally, resume the Windows Update services with these codes.
   net start wuauserv
   net start cryptSvc
   net start bits
   net start msiserver
   

   

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.

   

2. Navigate to “App Readiness” and right-click on it.
3. “Start” the service from the mini-menu.

   

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.”

   

2. Click “System Protection” on the upper pane and hit the “System Restore” button.

   

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.”

   

2. Select “Programs” from the list of options.
3. Under the “Programs And Features,” locate the sub-option to “View Installed Updates.”

   

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.

   

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.”

   

3. Highlight “Troubleshoot” from the left bar. Press the “Additional Troubleshooter” blue button.

   

4. Expand “Windows Update” by clicking once. 

   

5. Hit “Run The Troubleshooter.”

   

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.”

   

2. Press the “Properties” button on the “Status” tab.

   

3. Scroll down to the “Metered Connection” section. “Turn Off” via the toggle switch.

   

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.”

   

3. Select “Remove Everything.”

   

4. Go with the second option, “Fully Clean The Drive.”

   

5. Hit “Reset” to initiate the process. 

   

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. 

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Arsalan Shakil

[Errors Troubleshooting Expert]

Arsalan Shakil (aka GuyThatDoesEverything on YouTube) is a PC Tech Enthusiast and Electronic Geek. With over 10+ years of experience in Electronics, he then decided to explore Software Engineering to design embedded products and automate existing hardware solutions. 

When he started tearing down old cameras to understand how they worked, he was shocked (literally, when he got zapped by a flash discharge capacitor), giving him the power (debatable) to fall in love with videography/photography. He also started making some fun videos that later became YouTube tech reviews.

Skills:

• 10+ years of experience in Electronics design, embedded solutions, and prototyping
• Majored in Software Engineering
• Research paper publication in IEEE for Embedded Military Uniform & LoRa WAN wireless technology
• Specialized in IoT Solutions
• PC Enthusiast & PC Modder

In his local region, he’s known to expose cheap PSU brands, often claiming fake certification or false claims on the box. He’s a true nerd and needed some friends in his life. Then he met some guys who work at Tech4Gamers, and they also came out to be equal nerds who suggested he join Tech4Gamers as a Hardware Expert.