Have you ever restarted your PC only to see the dreaded message “undoing changes made to your computer how long”? If yes, you’re not alone. Many Windows users face this issue after failed updates or interrupted installations. The problem leaves people staring at a black or blue screen, unsure whether to wait or shut down forcefully.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how long to wait, what causes this message, how to fix it, and how to prevent it in the future. By the end, you’ll know exactly what steps to take without risking your files or system health.
Table of Contents
Why Does Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer How Long Appear?
The undoing changes made to your computer how long screen usually appears when a Windows Update rollback is triggered after a failed installation. In simple terms, Windows is saying: “Something went wrong, so I’m reversing changes to protect stability.”
Normally, this rollback process takes only a few minutes. However, under certain conditions, it may stretch to hours. Below are the main causes:
Failed Update Installation
Sometimes, an update fails due to unstable internet connections or incomplete downloads. This leaves Windows unable to apply changes correctly, triggering the rollback process.
Corrupted Update Files
If the update files get corrupted during download or installation, Windows cannot proceed. This often happens due to sudden shutdowns or damaged installation packages.
System File Errors
Damaged or missing system files caused by malware, bad drivers, or previous crashes can prevent updates from being installed properly, forcing Windows to undo changes.
Low Disk Space
Windows updates require enough free storage to apply new patches. If your C: drive runs low, updates may fail and trigger the “undoing changes” screen.
Power Loss or Forced Shutdown
If your computer shuts down unexpectedly during an update—due to battery drain, power cut, or manual restart—the update process breaks and Windows attempts to reverse changes.
Undoing Changes Made to Your Computer How Long to Wait
If your PC displays undoing changes made to your computer how long, patience is the first step.
- On average, rollback finishes within 15–45 minutes.
- On older devices or larger updates, it may take 1–2 hours.
- If the screen remains stuck beyond 2 hours, the system is likely frozen, and you’ll need to troubleshoot.
Signs Your PC is Actually Stuck
- The message stays for hours with no progress
- No blinking lights on the hard drive activity LED
- The PC reboots repeatedly with the same message
When you notice these, it’s time to move from waiting to fixing.
Solutions When Windows Stays Stuck Too Long
Here are the proven troubleshooting solutions that can help you fix this frustrating Windows update rollback loop.
1. Boot Into Safe Mode
Safe Mode lets your PC start with only essential files, making it easier to remove the problematic update.
Steps to Enter Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer
- Press F8, F11, or Shift + F8 before Windows loads
- Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Safe Mode with Networking
- Open Settings > Update & Security > View Update History > Uninstall Updates
This simple step resolves the issue for many users.
2. Run Startup Repair
Startup Repair is a built-in Windows recovery tool that detects and fixes boot-related problems automatically.
How to Run It:
- Boot from a Windows USB or DVD
- Choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Startup Repair
- Follow the on-screen instructions
This is especially useful when corrupted system files are preventing normal boot.
3. Use System Restore
If Safe Mode and Startup Repair don’t help, try System Restore. This feature reverts your PC to an earlier working state.
Steps:
- Access Advanced Options > System Restore
- Choose a restore point before the update
- Let the process complete and reboot your system
Note: Personal files remain safe, but apps installed after the restore point will be removed.
4. Free Up Disk Space
Lack of free disk space can prevent Windows from installing updates. Aim for at least 20–25% free space on your system drive.
Quick ways to free space:
- Use Disk Cleanup (search in Start Menu)
- Delete temporary files
- Move large files to external drives
- Uninstall unused applications
5. Repair Windows with Command Prompt
If nothing else works, try manual repair commands.
Open Command Prompt from Advanced Options and run:
sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
chkdsk /f /r
- SFC repairs corrupted files
- DISM restores system image health
- CHKDSK scans and repairs drive errors
These commands often fix deep issues that automatic repair tools miss.
Troubleshooting Methods Compared
| Method | Difficulty | Success Rate | Best For |
| Safe Mode Uninstall | Easy | High | Quick removal of failed updates |
| Startup Repair | Medium | High | Fixing boot-related problems |
| System Restore | Medium | Moderate | Returning to a stable system state |
| Disk Cleanup | Easy | Preventive | Avoiding update failures |
| Command Prompt Fixes | Medium | High | Repairing deep system corruption |
Quick Checklist Before Advanced Fixes
| Step | Action | Why It Helps |
| 1 | Wait 30–60 minutes | Rollback might complete on its own |
| 2 | Check HDD/SSD activity | Confirms if rollback is still running |
| 3 | Restart & enter Safe Mode | Let’s you uninstall failed updates |
| 4 | Ensure enough disk space | Prevents further update failures |
Preventing Future Errors
Dealing with the undoing changes made to your computer how long a message once is frustrating—but facing it repeatedly can be a nightmare. The good news is that with these preventive steps, you can avoid it.
Install Updates Under Stable Conditions
Always update your PC when it’s plugged into power and connected to a stable internet connection. Interrupted updates are one of the biggest causes of rollback errors.
Maintain Adequate Disk Space
Keep at least 20–25% free space on your system drive (C:). Windows needs room to download, extract, and apply updates.
Run Regular Antivirus and Security Scans
Malware and corrupted files interfere with the update installation. Run Windows Defender or trusted antivirus software to keep your system secure.
Back Up Important Data
Before installing major updates, back up your files using OneDrive, Google Drive, or external hard drives.
Create System Restore Points
Enable and create a restore point at least once a month. This provides a safety net if updates go wrong.
💡 Pro Tip: If none of the methods work, consider an in-place upgrade repair using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool. It reinstalls Windows while keeping your files intact.
Conclusion
Seeing undoing changes made to your computer how long on your screen can be nerve-wracking, especially if it doesn’t go away quickly. The key is to wait patiently for up to 2 hours before applying troubleshooting methods like Safe Mode, Startup Repair, System Restore, and Command Prompt repairs.
By understanding the causes and solutions, you can recover faster without risking your files. More importantly, preventive steps like keeping disk space free, installing stable updates, scheduling updates manually, and creating restore points will help you avoid undoing changes made to your computer how long error in the future.
FAQs
How long should I wait for undoing changes made to your computer?
Usually 15–45 minutes, sometimes up to 2 hours. Beyond that, your system is likely stuck.
Can I turn off my PC during this process?
Not recommended. Force shutdowns may cause file corruption or boot errors.
Will my files be deleted when Windows undoes changes?
No, personal files remain safe. The process only rolls back system updates.
Why does undoing changes keep happening on my PC?
It often means updates are corrupted, system files are damaged, or you’re running out of disk space.
Is there a permanent fix for undoing changes made to your computer how long?
Yes, by keeping your system healthy, clean, and updated with stable patches.
What if even Safe Mode doesn’t work?
Try Startup Repair, System Restore, or Command Prompt fixes. If nothing works, reinstall Windows.
Does this issue affect Windows 11 more than Windows 10?
Both versions face it, but Windows 11 users report it more often due to larger update sizes.
