Updated from 20H2 to 21H2, no way to go back?


  1. Posts : 9
    Windows 7
       #1

    Updated from 20H2 to 21H2, no way to go back?


    I am pretty new to Win10 (Win10 Pro).

    When my new pc did its initial updates a few weeks ago, it updated to Windows 10 20H2 (I don't know what version it updated from). After that I saw the Windows.old folder that I had read about, which in my understanding is used by Windows 10 for reversions to the previously installed version.

    Anyway, today the Windows Update page offered me an update to 21H2, so I took it. It installed quite quickly, which surprised me. But so far everything seems OK, and Properties confirms that I am on 21H2 (Build 19044,1348).

    But taking a look at things, I am surprised that there is no Windows.old folder. And if I go to Settings->Update-> Recovery, under "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10" it says, "This option is no longer available because your pc was updated more than 10 days ago." Which of course is not the case; it was just updated today. Also, I thought I had read that System Restore points go away when a new version is installed, but the 2 Restore points I had before updating to 21H2 are still there.

    Any ideas why I don't have the Windows.old folder or the option to rollback to the previous version I had, 20H2? Is it possibly because rollback isn't permitted when you've jumped a version instead updating to the next version in sequence? How can I have Restore points from an older version, but no option to go back to that version in Recovery? And does anything else I've described suggest that something might be amiss?

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    Rick1441 said:
    I am pretty new to Win10 (Win10 Pro).

    When my new pc did its initial updates a few weeks ago, it updated to Windows 10 20H2 (I don't know what version it updated from)....
    Anyway, today the Windows Update page offered me an update to 21H2 ... I am on 21H2 (Build 19044,1348).

    But taking a look at things, I am surprised that there is no Windows.old folder. And if I go to Settings->Update-> Recovery, under "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10" it says, "This option is no longer available because your pc was updated more than 10 days ago." Which of course is not the case; it was just updated today. Also, I thought I had read that System Restore points go away when a new version is installed, but the 2 Restore points I had before updating to 21H2 are still there.

    Any ideas why I don't have the Windows.old folder or the option to rollback to the previous version I had, 20H2?
    When your PC upgraded to 20H2 it must have been from version 1909 or earlier. That would require a full replacement of your system files and would have created a Windows.old to hold your old system.

    Stating with version 2004 all subsequent versions up to the current 21H2 share a common set of system files so a full reinstall is no longer required. After the latest cumulative updates the 21H2 features were already in your system files, but were dormant. They are turned on by a small Enablement Package that installs like a cumulative update.

    The enablement package is a great option for installing a scoped feature update like Windows 10, version 20H2 as it enables you to update a device from version 2004, 20H2, or 21H1 to version 21H2 with a single restart, reducing update downtime.
    What is new for IT pros in Windows 10 version 21H2

    If you really wanted to go back you can uninstall it like any other Windows update, not that I can think of any reason you might want to. 21H2 seems to have no new known issues, only the same ones as 2004/20H2/21H1.

    Updated from 20H2 to 21H2, no way to go back?-uninstall-21h2-enablement-package.png

    Uninstall Windows Update in Windows 10
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 16,781
    Windows 10 Home x64 Version 22H2 Build 19045.4170
       #3

    Rick1441 said:
    I thought I had read that System Restore points go away when a new version is installed, but the 2 Restore points I had before updating to 21H2 are still there.
    How can I have Restore points from an older version...
    You are right, Windows would normally delete them and they will fail if you use them.
    I've never seen a report of Windows keeping them across Version updates before.


    Rick1441 said:
    And does anything else I've described suggest that something might be amiss?
    There is one worrying aspect of your description. You have not mentioned system images. They are the most powerful & reliable form of backup you can have.
    System images & other forms of backup are discussed in my ditty - File backup vs imaging, imaging utilities, backing up drivers [post #3] - TenForums

    All the best,
    Denis
    Last edited by Try3; 24 Nov 2021 at 01:49.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    Try3 said:
    You are right, Windows would normally delete them and they will fail if you use them.
    I've never seen a report of Windows keeping them across Version updates before.
    The OP's initial upgrade with its Windows.old would have removed all previous restore points as they were no longer valid for the new system files. But restore points created by 2004 or later should not need to be deleted deleted by the feature update to 21H2 using the enablement package. Because the system files are the same ones as before the update, then the restore points are still valid.

    Restoring one from before the feature update would remove the enablement package of course and return the OP's system to 20H2.

    +1 for the system imaging suggestion. A system image can be a life-saver.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 9
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Bree said:
    When your PC upgraded to 20H2 it must have been from version 1909 or earlier. That would require a full replacement of your system files and would have created a Windows.old to hold your old system.

    Stating with version 2004 all subsequent versions up to the current 21H2 share a common set of system files so a full reinstall is no longer required. After the latest cumulative updates the 21H2 features were already in your system files, but were dormant. They are turned on by a small Enablement Package that installs like a cumulative update.

    What is new for IT pros in Windows 10 version 21H2

    If you really wanted to go back you can uninstall it like any other Windows update, not that I can think of any reason you might want to. 21H2 seems to have no new known issues, only the same ones as 2004/20H2/21H1.

    Updated from 20H2 to 21H2, no way to go back?-uninstall-21h2-enablement-package.png

    Uninstall Windows Update in Windows 10
    REALLY helpful. Thanks!

    - - - Updated - - -

    Try3 said:
    There is one worrying aspect of your description. You have not mentioned system images. They are the most powerful & reliable form of backup you can have.
    So true, Try3. FWIW I did a system image 3 days ago.

    (Not sure why it keeps appending my reply to Try3 to the above reply as an update, instead of posting as a new one. No doubt I'm missing something obvious...)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    Rick1441 said:
    (Not sure why it keeps appending my reply to Try3 to the above reply as an update, instead of posting as a new one. No doubt I'm missing something obvious...)

    No, it does that for all members who have not yet made many posts. The thinking is that a new member is more likely to post a question, then think of something they should have included and add it as another post (and then maybe another after that). In such circumstances it makes it more readable to append it to their previous post as an update, provided no one else has posted in between.

    I'm not sure how many posts you have to make, but eventually when you have made enough this function is removed from your posting.
      My Computers


 

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