Here’s how I protect my PC from buggy Windows updates

Microsoft’s Windows 11 has made it a standard practice to enforce monthly system updates, aimed at addressing security vulnerabilities, enhancing performance, and introducing new features. However, these updates can sometimes lead to unforeseen complications. A notable example occurred with the August 2025 Security Update (KB5063878), which prompted numerous reports from users experiencing storage issues on Windows 11 version 24H2. Users indicated that writing substantial amounts of data could result in their Solid State Drives (SSDs) or Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) becoming unresponsive.

In response to these issues, Microsoft has rolled out an out-of-band (OOB) update for versions 23H2 and 22H2 to rectify a critical bug affecting reset and recovery features. Phison, a key player in the storage technology sector, stated that after extensive testing—over 4,500 cumulative hours—they were unable to replicate the reported issues. Similarly, Microsoft, through Bleeping Computer, has been gathering customer feedback to ascertain whether a genuine fault exists within the operating system. Given the history of update-related problems, it is prudent for users to be prepared for potential complications.

Such occurrences are not isolated; almost annually, at least one cumulative update tends to disrupt reliability for a segment of users. The unpredictable nature of system updates makes it essential to remain vigilant, as ignoring these patches is not advisable. Below, we explore various strategies to safeguard your computer against problematic updates on Windows 11.

How to protect your PC from buggy updates on Windows 11

These instructions aim to prevent issues and prepare the system for successful recovery on any Windows 11 PC.

1. Enable System Restore

System Restore is a vital feature that captures snapshots of your computer’s operational state, allowing you to revert to a previous state if issues arise. This feature, which was once enabled by default, now requires manual configuration. To ensure you can undo changes after a potentially problematic update, enable System Restore and create a restore point prior to installing any cumulative updates.

Turn on System Restore

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and select the top result to access the System Properties page.
3. Select the main “System” drive under the “Protection Settings” section.
4. Click the Configure button.
5. Select the “Turn on system protection” option.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

After completing these steps, System Restore will be active on your computer. While it should automatically create restore points during specific events, such as system updates or driver installations, it is advisable to create a restore point manually before making any significant changes.

Create a restore point

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and select the top result.
3. Click the Create button under the “Protection Settings” section.
4. Provide a descriptive name for the restore point, such as Before the August 2025 update.
5. Click Create.
6. Click Close and then OK.

Once these steps are completed, you can proceed with the installation of new updates, confident that you can revert changes if necessary.

2. Enable Quick Machine Recovery

Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) is a relatively new feature designed to expedite the restoration of your computer from critical boot failures. When enabled, if your device fails to start correctly due to a buggy update or other issues, the system will connect to the internet, upload logs to the cloud, and download any available fixes via Windows Update. This feature is enabled by default on Windows 11 Home but requires manual activation in the Pro edition.

To configure Quick Machine Recovery on Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Navigate to the Recovery page on the right side.
4. Click the Quick machine recovery setting.
5. Toggle the “Quick machine recovery” switch to enable the feature.
6. Optionally, turn on the “Continue search if a solution isn’t found” toggle to control the feature’s behavior.
7. Set the duration for the system to wait before checking for fixes using the “Look for solutions every” setting.
8. Select when to restart the device using the “Restart every” setting.

Once configured, if a buggy update prevents your computer from booting correctly, the Quick Machine Recovery feature will automatically initiate to download and apply any available fixes.

3. Uninstall problematic update

If a cumulative update is known to cause issues and you still have access to your desktop, consider uninstalling the update until a permanent solution is available. Windows 11 allows you to uninstall updates either from the desktop or the recovery environment.

From Settings:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Navigate to the Update history page.
4. Click the Uninstall updates setting under “Related settings.”
5. Click the Uninstall option for the problematic update.
6. Click Restart now if prompted.

After completing these steps, revisit the “Windows Update” page in the Settings app and click the “Pause for 1 week” button to prevent the system from reinstalling the same update.

From Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE):

If you cannot access the desktop and Quick Machine Recovery fails, you can uninstall the most recent update by following these steps:

1. Start your PC.
2. As soon as the Windows logo appears, hold down the power button to interrupt the boot sequence.
3. Repeat this process two more times.
4. Select the Advanced Startup option.
5. Click on Troubleshoot.
6. Click on Advanced options.
7. Click on Uninstall Updates.
8. Click the “Uninstall latest quality update” option.
9. Sign in with your administrator credentials if prompted.
10. Click the “Uninstall quality update” button.

4. Disable automatic updates

Windows 11 offers several methods to disable automatic updates. You can temporarily pause updates or opt to turn off the automatic mechanism entirely, allowing you to initiate the update process manually.

From Settings:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the “Pause for 1 week” button to disable automatic updates temporarily.

After completing these steps, Windows 11 will halt automatic downloads for at least one week, potentially allowing time for a newer update to resolve the current issue.

From Group Policy:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for gpedit.msc and select the top result to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience.
4. Double-click the “Configure Automatic Updates” policy on the right side.
5. Select the Disabled option to permanently turn off automatic updates.
6. Click Apply and then OK.

Once these steps are completed, Windows 11 will cease automatic updates. You can manually check for updates at any time by navigating to Settings > Windows Update and clicking the “Check for updates” button.

5. Create full computer backup

Creating proactive backups is another effective strategy to protect your setup and data. It is advisable to perform backups at least once a week, and particularly before installing significant updates. If you prefer third-party software, that is an option; however, Windows 11 also offers a legacy System Image backup tool for creating a full backup to external storage.

To create a full backup:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Control Panel and select the top result.
3. Click on System and Security.
4. Click on “Backup and Restore”.
5. Click the “System Image Backup” option from the bottom-left corner.
6. Select the “On a hard disk” option.
7. Choose the destination for the Windows 11 full backup.
8. Click Next.
9. (Optional) Select any additional drives to include in the backup.
10. Click Next.
11. Click the Start backup button.

After completing these steps, you will have a recovery option in case an update disrupts your installation. Additionally, you may consider setting up daily automatic backups of the operating system and files using the “Backup and Restore” feature in Windows 11.

Additional tips for updating the system

While updates are essential for any operating system, it is wise to delay them for at least two weeks unless a specific patch addresses a critical vulnerability. This can be achieved by proactively pausing updates through the Windows Update settings. If you choose to disable automatic updates, refrain from clicking the “Check for updates” button until you can confirm that the release is free of known issues. The Windows release health dashboard is a useful resource for checking known issues and update blocks.

Moreover, when an update is ready, consider postponing the restart for several days. This delay can provide you with time to back up your data and take necessary precautions before proceeding with the installation.

More resources

For further exploration, consider browsing through in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to maximize your experience with Windows 11 and 10.