Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can easily downgrade to Windows 10 after installing Windows 11 latest version on you PC, desktop, or laptop. If Microsoft Windows 11 is not working properly, creating performance issues, resulting in compatibility errors, or other problems, you can now go back to Windows 10 as explained in the following tutorial.
After upgrading your computer to Win 11 from Windows 10 using Installation Assistant, Media Creation Tool (MCT), Update Assistant, or Windows Update method, it’s still possible to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 without losing your files in the process.
Often, a new major OS update brings with it several problems due to various reasons related to hardware compatibility. Sometimes users want to wait until a more stable build lands. This is why many opt to revert to the older version until the successor software achieves stability status.
Similarly, on a Windows PC, you can go back to the previous operating system. This method involves using the recovery settings. However, the option to downgrade is only available for the first ten days following the initial upgrade. Once the allotted time period elapses, Windows 11 automatically deletes your files from the previous installation to recover hard drive space for newer, important files.
Moreover, it is important to note that uninstalling Windows 11 from your PC would require you to reinstall some apps, so you may end up losing some settings configured to work with the latest firmware.
But in the guide below, we will walk you through the steps to downgrade to Windows 10 after upgrading to Windows 11.
Table of Contents
Downgrade From Windows 11 To Windows 10:
Windows 11 is the modern operating system from Microsoft released on October 5th, 2021. If your Windows 10 running system meets the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, you’ll be offered an update to Windows 11. Also, you can configure Windows Insider settings and update to Windows 11 via Windows Update. Furthermore, you can upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 using the ISO file.
After upgrading to Windows 11, if you realize that your system is not working correctly, or some of the crucial features you need are not working as expected, and troubleshooting didn’t help you, you might want to go back to Windows 10. In that situation, this guide will help you to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10. Do keep in mind that Windows 10 is supported by Microsoft through 14 October 2025.
NOTE: This guide was originally illustrated with Windows 11 21H2 and is also valid if you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 22H2 (Windows 11 October 2022 Update) directly.
Requirements for downgrade: Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is subject to some requirements mentioned below:
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You can only downgrade to Windows 10 within 10 days of your upgrade. For example, if you upgraded to Windows 11 on 1 Sep, 2022, then you can downgrade within 10 days. If you want to downgrade on 25 September 2022, you can’t.
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Previous Windows version files, typically Windows.old folder, and other required files should be present on your system.
If above requirements are not met, you can’t go back to Windows 10. In that case, to go back to Windows 10, you need to clean install Windows 10.
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How To Downgrade From Windows 11 To Windows 10 Without Losing Files And Data:
If you are using Windows 11 and looking to downgrade, here is how to go back to Windows 10 without losing data.
Step 1: On your Windows 11 PC, click Start.
Step 2: Type Settings in search and hit the Enter key. Then, click the top result to open the app.
Step 3: In Settings, click on System.
Step 4: Click Recovery on the right side.
Step 5: Under the “Recovery options” section, hit the Go back button.
Step 6: On the next screen, select the reason for uninstalling Windows 11.
Step 7: Now, click the Next button.
Step 8: Once done, click on the No, thanks button on the “Check for updates?” screen.
Step 9: Hit the Next button.
Step 10: Again, click the Next button on the “Don’t get locked out” screen.
Step 11: When complete, click the Go back to Windows 10 button to finish the process.
Step 12: That’s all.
After the completion of the above steps, your device will no longer have Windows 11. Instead, it will reboot into Windows 10 while keeping your files, data, system settings, and apps intact.
In case the recover option shows the “this option is no longer available on this PC” message, it is still possible for you to downgrade to Windows 10. However, the only method you can use is to back up your files, perform a clean installation of Windows 10 using a bootable USB flash drive, and restore your files from a previous backup.
