How to Revert or Roll Back a OneNote Update
Question details
The user wants to know how to downgrade or undo a recent update to Microsoft OneNote.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- A recent update to OneNote caused workflow issues or removed familiar features, and the user wants to revert to an older, stable version.
- Observed behavior
- The user needs a way to restore an earlier version of OneNote, but the process varies depending on whether they use the Microsoft 365 suite version or the standalone Windows 10 Store app.
Before rolling back any Microsoft 365 applications, ensure your OneNote notebooks are fully synced to OneDrive to prevent data loss. Keep in mind that downgrading the Microsoft 365 version of OneNote will also roll back other Office apps like Word and Excel.
Revert OneNote Update in Microsoft 365
Downgrade your entire Microsoft 365 installation to restore an older version of OneNote.
If OneNote is installed as part of your Microsoft 365 suite, you cannot roll back OneNote individually. You will need to revert the entire Office suite to an earlier build.
Open OneNote, go to 'File' > 'Account' > 'Update Options', and select 'Disable Updates' to prevent Office from immediately re-updating after the rollback.
Download the Office Deployment Tool from the Microsoft Download Center. Extract it and modify the configuration XML file to specify the target (older) version number you wish to install.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator, navigate to the folder containing the Office Deployment Tool, and run the command `setup.exe /configure config.xml` to execute the rollback.
Manage Updates for OneNote for Windows 10
Prevent future unwanted updates in the Microsoft Store app version of OneNote.
Try WPS Office for a Stable and Lightweight Experience
If forced Microsoft Office updates are causing workflow disruptions or feature instability, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly stable, user-friendly environment with excellent compatibility for your essential documents, spreadsheets, and presentations—without disruptive forced updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will rolling back OneNote affect my other Microsoft Office applications?
Yes. If you are using the Microsoft 365 suite, rolling back OneNote requires rolling back the entire Office installation. This means applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will also be reverted to the matching older version.
Will I lose my notes if I uninstall and reinstall an older version of OneNote?
If your notes are completely synced to OneDrive or SharePoint, they will automatically reload when you sign back into the older version. Always manually trigger a sync and verify your notes are accessible via OneNote for the Web before making changes.
Can I download an older version of OneNote for Windows 10?
Microsoft does not officially provide legacy versions of its Microsoft Store apps. Once the app is updated, you typically cannot roll back OneNote for Windows 10 unless your organization has deployed a specific offline package.
