With the release of Windows 11, many users are eager to try out the new features and improvements that Microsoft has added to their latest operating system. However, not everyone is satisfied with the changes, and some may find that their hardware or software is not compatible with Windows 11. If you have upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and want to go back, this blog post will guide you through the process of downgrading back to Windows 10.
Prerequisites
Before you proceed with the downgrade process, it is essential to ensure that you have the following:
- A backup of your important files and documents. The downgrade process may result in data loss, so it’s crucial to have a copy of your important files.
- A USB flash drive or external hard drive with at least 8GB of free space to create a bootable Windows 10 installation media.
- A stable internet connection to download the necessary files.
Method 1: Using the built-in rollback feature
Windows 11 has a built-in rollback feature that allows you to revert to your previous version of Windows within ten days of upgrading. To access this feature, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start button and select Settings.
- Navigate to System > Recovery.
- Under the Go back section, click on the Get started button and follow the on-screen instructions to roll back to Windows 10.
If the rollback feature is not available, or you have exceeded the ten-day limit, you will need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10.
Method 2: Clean installation of Windows 10
To downgrade to Windows 10 using a clean installation, follow these steps:
- Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website.
- Run the Media Creation Tool and accept the license terms.
- Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, and click Next.
- Choose the language, edition, and architecture for Windows 10, and click Next.
- Select USB flash drive and choose the drive you want to use, then click Next. The tool will format the drive and download the necessary files to create a bootable installation media.
- Once the process is complete, insert the USB drive into your computer and restart your system.
- Press the appropriate key (usually F12 or ESC) to access the boot menu and choose to boot from the USB drive.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10. During the installation process, make sure to select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) and delete all the partitions related to your current Windows installation.
- Complete the installation process by following the on-screen instructions.
Conclusion
Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is relatively straightforward, especially if you can use the built-in rollback feature. If that option is not available, a clean installation of Windows 10 will do the trick. Remember to backup your important files before starting the downgrade process, and ensure that you have a bootable Windows 10 installation media ready for use.
