Fix Undoing Changes Computer Error in Windows

If Windows is stuck on “Undoing changes made to your computer” during startup or after an update, the system is rolling back a failed change and typically needs 5–30 minutes to finish. If it hangs for over an hour or loops back to the same screen, you can force a restart, boot into Safe Mode or the Recovery Environment, and fix the cause—usually a failed update, a driver, or a corrupted system file.

Why Windows Shows “Undoing Changes”

This message appears when Windows detects that a recent update, driver installation, or system restore did not complete successfully. The operating system automatically reverts the change to return your PC to a working state. The rollback process itself can take a long time because Windows is restoring system files, registry entries, and settings—often while copying large amounts of data.

Common triggers include:

A Windows Update that was interrupted by a power cut or forced shutdown.
Insufficient disk space, which prevents the update from finishing.
A driver that conflicts with existing hardware or software.
A system restore that was cancelled or failed midway.
Corrupted update files downloaded to the Windows Update cache.

In most cases, the rollback completes on its own. The problem is when it doesn’t—leaving you stuck on the “Undoing changes” screen for hours or in a restart loop.

How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Try these fixes in order. Start with the least invasive and move to more advanced steps only if needed.

Wait it out. Give the process at least 30–60 minutes. If the screen shows a spinning circle or a percentage, it is still working. A frozen screen with no animation for over an hour suggests a hang.
Force a restart. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the PC shuts down. Turn it back on. Windows may resume the rollback or start normally. If it returns to “Undoing changes,” proceed to the next step.
Boot into Safe Mode. After two or three failed boot attempts, Windows should show the Recovery Environment. If not, interrupt startup three times by turning the PC off during boot. From the Recovery screen, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, then press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.
Uninstall the problematic update. In Safe Mode, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates. Remove the most recent update, then restart normally.
Run System File Checker. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. This checks and repairs corrupted system files. Follow with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to fix the system image.
Free up disk space. If the drive is nearly full, Windows Update cannot complete. Delete temporary files or move data to an external drive, then retry the update.
Use System Restore. From the Recovery Environment, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore and pick a restore point from before the problem started.
Reset or reinstall Windows. As a last resort, use Troubleshoot > Reset this PC to reinstall Windows while keeping your files, or perform a clean install using installation media.

What to Do If It Loops or Hangs

If the “Undoing changes” screen appears every time you boot, the rollback is failing repeatedly. This usually means the underlying cause is still present—often a corrupted update or a driver that cannot be reverted.

In that case, boot into Safe Mode (as described above) and try these additional steps:

Disable automatic updates temporarily: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options > Pause updates.
Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter from Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Check the system drive for errors with chkdsk /f /r from an elevated Command Prompt.
If you suspect a driver, boot into Safe Mode and open Device Manager. Roll back or uninstall recently changed drivers.

Common Misconceptions

Many users think the message means their files are being deleted. That is not true. The rollback only reverts system changes; your personal files remain untouched. However, if you choose “Reset this PC,” you can optionally remove files—so back up before doing that.

Another misconception is that pressing the power button during the rollback will corrupt the system. While it is not ideal, a forced restart is often the only way to break a hang. Windows is designed to recover from interrupted rollbacks, though repeated interruptions can worsen the problem.

Preventing Future Occurrences

Once your PC is back to normal, take steps to reduce the chances of hitting this error again:

Keep at least 15–20 GB of free space on the system drive.
Connect to a stable power source during updates—use a laptop with the charger plugged in.
Install updates during times when you can leave the PC on for an hour or more.
Create a restore point manually before major changes: Control Panel > System > System Protection > Create.
If a specific update keeps failing, hide it temporarily using the Show or hide updates troubleshooter from Microsoft.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait on “Undoing changes”?

Typically 5–30 minutes. If it exceeds an hour with no progress, assume it is hung and force a restart.

Will I lose my files?

No. The rollback only reverts system changes. Your documents, photos, and other personal files remain intact.

Can I skip the rollback and boot normally?

Not directly. Windows must finish the rollback to boot. You can force a restart, but if the rollback is incomplete, Windows will try again. Safe Mode may bypass the rollback if the update is not critical.

What if Safe Mode also shows the error?

If Safe Mode fails, use the Recovery Environment. If that also fails, you may need to use a Windows installation USB to access troubleshooting tools or perform a repair install.

Is this error caused by a virus?

Not usually. It is almost always a failed update or driver. However, malware can corrupt system files, so running a full antivirus scan after the fix is a good idea.

Should I disable Windows Update to avoid this?

No. Updates contain important security fixes. Instead, pause updates temporarily and ensure your system is healthy before installing them.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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