Revert to Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide for Downgrading from Windows 11

Table of Contents

• Downgrading to a Previous Version of Windows 11 (Within 10 Days)¶
• Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 After 10 Days (Clean Install)¶
• Important Considerations Before Downgrading¶

Upgrading to a new operating system like Windows 11 often brings exciting features and improvements. However, sometimes the latest version might not perfectly align with your needs or hardware. You might encounter compatibility issues with older software, experience performance hiccups, or simply prefer the familiar interface of Windows 10. Fortunately, Microsoft provides a built-in option to revert to your previous operating system, making the transition back to Windows 10 relatively straightforward, especially within a specific timeframe.

This guide will walk you through the process of downgrading from Windows 11 back to Windows 10. We will cover two primary scenarios: reverting within the initial 10-day period after upgrading and performing a clean installation if you are past this timeframe. Understanding these methods will empower you to choose the best approach for your situation and ensure a smooth transition back to Windows 10.

Downgrading to a Previous Version of Windows 11 (Within 10 Days)¶

If you have recently upgraded to Windows 11 and find it’s not quite right for you, the quickest and easiest way to return to your previous operating system (likely Windows 10) is by utilizing the “Go back” feature within Windows 11 itself. This method is available for a limited time, specifically within the first 10 days after your upgrade. After this period, the necessary files for a simple rollback are automatically removed to free up disk space.

Here are the steps to downgrade to Windows 10 within the 10-day window:

1. Open Windows Settings: Begin by accessing the Windows Settings application. The fastest way to do this is by pressing the Windows key + I simultaneously. This keyboard shortcut will directly launch the Settings window, providing access to various system configurations.

2. Navigate to Recovery Options: In the Settings window, click on the System category. Within the System settings, scroll down and locate the Recovery option and click on it. This section houses tools related to system restoration and recovery, including the downgrade feature we need.

3. Initiate the Go Back Process: Under the Recovery options, you will see a section labeled “Previous version of Windows.” Look for the Go back button located next to this option and click on it. If you do not see this option, it likely means that more than 10 days have passed since your upgrade to Windows 11, and the rollback files have been removed. In this case, you will need to use the clean install method described later in this guide.

4. Provide Feedback (Optional): Windows will ask you to provide a reason for downgrading. You can select any of the checkboxes that best represent your reason or simply choose “For another reason” and type in a brief explanation. Providing feedback is optional but can help Microsoft understand user experiences and improve future versions of Windows. After selecting a reason, click the Next button to proceed.

5. Decline Updates (Recommended): The system will prompt you to check for updates before downgrading. It is generally recommended to click No, thanks at this stage. Checking for updates at this point is unnecessary for the downgrade process and might prolong the process or introduce unexpected issues. Click No, thanks to continue directly with the rollback.

6. Review and Confirm: You will be presented with a final screen summarizing the downgrade process and reminding you of a few important points, such as the potential loss of settings and newly installed applications since the upgrade. Read this information carefully and click Next to continue.

7. Start the Downgrade: Finally, you will see a Go back to earlier build button. Click this button to initiate the downgrade process. Your computer will restart automatically.

8. System Restoration: After restarting, your computer will go through a process of restoring your previous Windows installation. This process may take some time, so be patient and do not interrupt it. Your computer may restart multiple times during this phase.

9. Set up Windows 10: Once the downgrade is complete, your computer will boot into Windows 10. You may need to go through a brief initial setup process, similar to when you first installed Windows 10. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your settings and personalize your system.

After completing these steps, you will be back in your familiar Windows 10 environment. Your personal files should remain intact, but remember that any applications installed or settings changed after upgrading to Windows 11 will be removed. You will need to reinstall your applications and reconfigure your settings in Windows 10.

Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 After 10 Days (Clean Install)¶

If more than 10 days have passed since you upgraded to Windows 11, the “Go back” option within Windows settings will no longer be available. This is because Windows automatically removes the Windows.old folder, which contains the files necessary for a simple rollback, after this period to reclaim disk space. In this scenario, to downgrade to Windows 10, you will need to perform a clean installation.

A clean install involves completely erasing your current operating system and installing Windows 10 from scratch. This method is more involved than the “Go back” option and requires a bit more preparation, but it is the necessary approach if you are outside the 10-day rollback window.

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Important Note: A clean install will erase all data on your system drive (typically the C: drive). It is absolutely crucial to back up all your important files and data before proceeding with a clean installation. This includes documents, photos, videos, music, and any other personal files you want to keep. You can back up your data to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage.

Here are the steps for performing a clean installation of Windows 10:

1. Download Windows 10 ISO File: You will need a Windows 10 installation media to perform a clean install. The first step is to download the official Windows 10 ISO file from Microsoft’s website.

   • Visit the official Microsoft website and navigate to the “Download Windows 10” page. You can usually find this by searching for “Download Windows 10 ISO” on your preferred search engine.
   • On the download page, under “Create Windows 10 installation media,” click on the “Download tool now” button. This will download the Media Creation Tool.
   • Run the Media Creation Tool.
   • Accept the license terms.
   • Choose “Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC” and click Next.
   • Select your language, edition, and architecture (usually 64-bit). Click Next.
   • Choose “ISO file” as the media to use and click Next.
   • Select a location to save the ISO file (e.g., your Desktop) and click Save.
   • The Media Creation Tool will download the Windows 10 ISO file to the location you specified.

2. Create Bootable USB Drive: Once you have downloaded the Windows 10 ISO file, you need to create a bootable USB drive from it. This USB drive will be used to start your computer and initiate the Windows 10 installation process. You will need a USB drive with at least 8GB of free space.

   • Download and install a tool like Rufus. Rufus is a free and easy-to-use tool for creating bootable USB drives. You can download it from https://rufus.ie/.
   • Launch Rufus.
   • Insert your USB drive into your computer.
   • In Rufus, under the “Device” dropdown, select your USB drive.
   • Under “Boot selection,” click the “SELECT” button and browse to the location where you saved the Windows 10 ISO file. Select the ISO file and click Open.
   • Leave the other settings in Rufus as default unless you have specific requirements.
   • Click the START button in Rufus.
   • Rufus will warn you that all data on the USB drive will be destroyed. Click OK to proceed.
   • Rufus will now create the bootable Windows 10 USB drive. This process may take a few minutes.

3. Boot from the USB Drive: After creating the bootable USB drive, you need to restart your computer and boot from the USB drive to begin the Windows 10 installation.

   • Restart your computer.
   • As your computer starts up, you need to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings or the boot menu. The key to press to enter BIOS/UEFI or the boot menu varies depending on your computer manufacturer. Common keys include Delete, F2, F12, F11, Esc. Look for a prompt on the screen during startup that indicates which key to press, or consult your computer’s manual or manufacturer’s website.
   • In the BIOS/UEFI settings or boot menu, find the boot order or boot priority settings.
   • Change the boot order to prioritize booting from the USB drive. This usually involves selecting your USB drive as the first boot device.
   • Save the changes in BIOS/UEFI and exit. Your computer will restart and boot from the USB drive.

4. Install Windows 10: Your computer will now boot from the Windows 10 USB drive, and the Windows Setup process will begin.

   • On the “Windows Setup” screen, choose your language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method. Click Next.
   • Click Install now.
   • Accept the license terms.
   • Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” installation type. This is crucial for a clean install as it allows you to erase the existing operating system.
   • You will see a list of drives and partitions. Carefully select the partition where Windows 11 is currently installed (this is usually the largest partition and labeled as “Primary” or “System”). Be absolutely certain you are selecting the correct partition, as deleting the wrong partition will result in data loss on other drives.
   • Click Format to format the selected partition. This will erase all data on that partition.
   • Select the formatted partition and click Next to install Windows 10 on it.
   • Windows Setup will now install Windows 10. This process may take some time, and your computer will restart several times.
   • Once the installation is complete, Windows 10 will boot up, and you will be guided through the initial setup process, including setting up your user account, privacy settings, and network connections.

5. Restore Your Data and Reinstall Applications: After completing the clean installation of Windows 10, you will have a fresh operating system. You will need to:

   • Restore your backed-up data. Copy your personal files back to your computer from your backup media.
   • Reinstall your applications. You will need to reinstall all the applications you were using in Windows 11 and want to use in Windows 10.
   • Reconfigure your settings. Customize your Windows 10 settings to your preferences.
   • Install drivers. Windows 10 will usually install most necessary drivers automatically, but you may need to manually install drivers for specific hardware components, especially if you encounter any hardware issues. You can usually download the latest drivers from your hardware manufacturer’s website.

Performing a clean install is a more complex process than the “Go back” option, but it provides a fresh and clean Windows 10 installation. Remember to back up your data and proceed carefully with each step to ensure a successful downgrade.

Important Considerations Before Downgrading¶

Before you decide to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, consider the following important points:

• Data Backup: As emphasized earlier, backing up your important data is crucial, especially if you are performing a clean install. Even with the “Go back” option, it’s always a good precautionary measure to back up your important files.
• Loss of Applications and Settings: Downgrading, especially via a clean install, will remove all applications installed after upgrading to Windows 11 and reset your system settings to default Windows 10 settings. You will need to reinstall your applications and reconfigure your settings after downgrading.
• Time Required: The downgrade process can take a significant amount of time, ranging from about 30 minutes for the “Go back” option to a couple of hours or more for a clean install, depending on your computer’s hardware and internet speed (for downloading the ISO). Ensure you have enough time to complete the process without interruptions.
• 10-Day Rollback Window: Remember that the easy “Go back” option is only available within the first 10 days after upgrading to Windows 11. After this period, you will need to perform a clean install.
• Product Key: In most cases, your Windows 10 license will be automatically reactivated after downgrading if your computer originally came with a valid Windows 10 license or if you upgraded to Windows 11 from a licensed Windows 10. However, it’s a good idea to have your Windows 10 product key available just in case.
• Hardware Compatibility: While Windows 10 is generally compatible with a wide range of hardware, ensure that your hardware components are fully compatible with Windows 10 and that drivers are available for Windows 10 for all your devices.

By carefully considering these factors and following the appropriate steps, you can successfully downgrade from Windows 11 back to Windows 10 and return to a familiar and comfortable computing environment.

Do you have any questions or experiences with downgrading Windows? Share them in the comments below!