How to Fix "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes" Error
Written by Rimvydas Iliavicius on
How to Fix "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes" Error in Windows 10
If you read this, you probably encountered the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes" error message displayed on a blue screen. In this article, you will find several guides to help you resolve the issue causing this error.
We couldn't complete the updates
Undoing changes
Don't turn off your computer
Usually, Windows undoes the changes made, and users can start Windows without problems (and without updates). However, there are many cases where changes cannot be undone, and users cannot get past the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error.
It's possible to solve this problem by launching the Advanced Startup screen and booting Windows into Safe Mode or performing certain actions using Advanced Startup tools. So, you need to boot into Safe Mode or Advanced Startup screen first and then try to apply different solutions.
To access the Advanced Startup screen, use a DVD or USB which contains your Windows installation media. Insert it and restart your computer. You should get an on-screen message saying that you need to press any key to boot from CD or DVD. Simply press any key on your keyboard and follow the instructions.
Select the installation language and click "Next," you should see the "Repair your computer" option in the next step. Find it and click it. Once you are in the Advanced Startup (Automatic Repair) menu, you can apply the following steps described in our guide below.
Video Tutorial on How to Fix "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes" Error
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Restore Your System Using Restore Points
- Run a Startup Repair
- Run DISM Tool
- Remove SoftwareDistribution Folder's Contents
- Reset Your PC
- Video Tutorial on How to Fix "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes" Error
Restore Your System Using Restore Points
System Restore reverts everything to a saved restore point, but first, you must have one recorded. If you have any system restore points created before the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error, you will likely be able to solve this problem by restoring your system.
To restore your system, click "Troubleshoot".
In Troubleshoot menu, select "Advanced options".
In the Advanced options menu, select "System Restore". Windows will restart and open the System Restore window. You will need to use your account's password to be able to proceed.
Now click "Next".
If there are restore points created, you will see a list of them. Mark the "Show more restore points" checkbox, and it should display more restore points.
Select the restore point that suits you best (depending on the time created etc.) and click "Next".
Confirm your restore point. Your computer will be restored to the state before the event detailed in the "Description" field. If you are happy with your choice, click "Finish" and begin the system restore process.
Run a Startup Repair
Startup Repair is a Windows diagnostics-based troubleshooting tool used to repair the Windows operating system when something prevents users from starting it. It is usually able to fix problems when there are some damaged or missing system files and could fix the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error as well.
Open the Advanced Startup/Automatic Repair window again and go to the "Advanced options" menu again by following the previously described steps.
Click Startup Repair. It will start diagnosing your PC, see if this tool can fix the problem for you.
Run DISM Tool
DISM stands for Deployment Image Servicing and Management, and it can be used to repair and prepare Windows images, including the Windows Recovery Environment, Windows Setup, and Windows PE. To run the DISM scan, you need to open Command Prompt first.
To do so, open the Advanced Startup/Automatic Repair window again and go to the "Advanced options" menu again by following the previously described steps. In the Advanced options window, select "Command Prompt".
Once the Command Prompt is open, type the "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" command and press Enter.
Restart your computer and see if executing the DISM command fixed the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error.
Remove SoftwareDistribution Folder's Contents
Software Distribution folder is a temporary folder in which Windows stores the update files until they are completely downloaded. Then, Windows starts the updating process. In this case, removing the SoftwareDistribution folder's contents might solve the problem and fix the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error.
To remove update files, you will need to boot your Windows into Safe Mode. To do so, open the Advanced Startup/Automatic Repair window again and go to the "Advanced options" menu again by following the previously described steps. In the Advanced options menu, click "Startup Settings".
In Startup Settings, click "Restart". After restart, you will be able to choose how to start your Windows.
You will be presented with a list of options. To choose an option, press the number on your keyboard or use function keys from F1 to F9. Press F5 or 5 to enable Safe Mode with Networking. Or you can choose the fourth option if you like. Windows now will start in Safe Mode.
To delete the SoftwareDisribution folder's contents, you need to stop a couple of services by executing several commands.
Type "command prompt" in Search and right-click the Command Prompt result. Select the "Run as administrator" option from the contextual menu.
Now type the "net stop wuauserv" and press Enter. Then type the "net stop bits" command and press Enter again.
Now go to the "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution" location in your Windows and select all of the contents, right-click them and select "Delete" from the contextual menu.
Restart your computer and see if you are still getting the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error.
Reset Your PC
We suggest you use this method as a last resort only. It is perhaps not as drastic as it may sound since this process maintains personal files while deleting installed programs/applications. "Reset This PC" is a repair tool for serious operating system problems.
To do so, open the Advanced Startup/Automatic Repair window again, select "Troubleshoot", and then click the "Reset this PC" option.
Select whether you want to remove apps and settings, but keep your personal files by clicking the "Keep my files" option, or to remove everything - your files, apps, and settings by clicking the "Remove everything" option.
That's it, we hope that one of the methods solved the problem for you and you are now able to use your Windows operating system without problems.
If there is another way to fix the "We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer" blue screen error and it is not mentioned in our guide - do not hesitate to share it with us and with the others by leaving a comment in our comment section below.
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