Table of Contents
Have you recently upgraded your Windows 10 to Windows 11? Are you facing any compatibility issues or your system has become unstable? Do you want to switch back to Windows 10? If yes, then you’ve landed on the right page.
In this blog post, we will guide you through the step-by-step process to roll back Windows 11 to Windows 10. We will also cover the necessary precautions and FAQs to help you make a well-informed decision.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed?
Before we start, there are a few things that you need to make sure are in place beforehand. These include:
1. An active internet connection
2. A restore point or backup of Windows 10
3. A Microsoft account with Windows 10 license
What requires your focus?
1. Before downgrading, make sure you back up all the important data from your current system as it will get deleted during the downgrade process.
2. You may need to reinstall some of the software applications that you had before the upgrade.
3. After the downgrade, Windows will install all the security patches and updates that were released after the initial release of Windows 10. Therefore, post-downgrade, you should not rely on your system’s security for at least a few days.
3 Methods to Roll Back Windows 11 to Windows 10
There are mainly three ways to downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10.
Method 1: Roll Back within 10 Days of Upgrade
If you have recently upgraded your Windows 10 to Windows 11, and it’s been less than ten days, you can use this method. The following are the step-by-step instructions:
1. Go to “Start” and click “Settings.”
2. Select “System,” then “Recovery.”
3. Under the “Go back to Windows 10” section, click the “Get Started” button.
4. Follow the instructions in the wizard to complete the downgrading process.
Pros:
– The process is straightforward
– Requires less time
– No additional tool is required
Cons:
– Only helpful if you’ve upgraded recently
– Not useful if it’s been more than ten days
Method 2: Using a System Image
If you had taken a system image backup of your Windows 10, then this method is probably the easiest. It will restore your system to the state in which it was before the upgrade. Here are the steps:
1. Connect the external hard drive or USB flash drive containing the system image backup file.
2. Go to “Start,” launch the “Settings” app, and then click “Update & Security.”
3. Click “Recovery” and then “Restart now” under “Advanced startup.”
4. Select “Use a device” and then select your USB or external hard drive that contains the backup image.
5. Follow the instructions to complete the restoration of the system image backup.
Pros:
– Recovers all the data present before the upgrade
– No need to reinstall any applications
Cons:
– Requires taking a system backup
– Consumes more time than other methods
Method 3: Clean Installation of Windows 10
If none of the above methods worked for you, reinstalling Windows 10 is the last resort. This method involves the following steps:
1. Create a bootable USB flash drive for Windows 10 using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.
2. Restart your system and enable the boot menu using the F12 or the ESC key.
3. Select the bootable USB as the primary boot device from the boot menu.
4. Follow the instructions to complete the installation of Windows 10.
Pros:
– Results in a fresh installation
– Not limited by any previous installation issues
Cons:
– Requires creating a bootable USB of Windows 10
– Time-consuming and requires expertise
Why Can’t I Roll Back?
If you can’t roll back to Windows 10, the following might be the possible reasons:
1. It’s been more than ten days since you have upgraded to Windows 11.
2. You might have deleted the files required for the rollback process.
3. You have done an in-place upgrade of Windows 11, which might have caused the issue.
4. Your system is not compatible with Windows 10.
If you think it’s the third option, you might have a chance to execute System Restore by following the below-mentioned steps:
1. Go to Control Panel > Recovery > System Restore.
2. Select the restore point created before the Windows 11 upgrade.
3. Follow the wizard to complete the process.
If you’re still not successful, you can try the clean installation of Windows 10.
Implications and Recommendations
Here are some implications and recommendations to keep in mind before downgrading:
1. Always take the backup of the system before upgrading.
2. If you can’t downgrade using the above methods, go for the clean installation.
3. Invest some time to read user feedback and known issues before upgrading or downgrading.
4. Consider upgrading to the latest stable Windows 10 version after the downgrade to keep your data and system secure.
5 FAQs
Q: Can I switch from Windows 11 back to Windows 10 without losing my data?
A: You can switch back to Windows 10 without losing your data only if you had created a system backup or a system image of the Windows 10 before upgrading.
Q: How long does the downgrading process take?
A: The time the downgrade process takes depends on the method you use. Rollback using the settings app or system restore hardly takes some time, while the clean installation may consume up to an hour.
Q: Can I install Windows 10 again after downgrade?
A: Yes, after downgrading to Windows 10, you can reinstall Windows 10 using the same installation media you used before the upgrade.
Q: Can I roll back to Windows 10 if I had done an in-place upgrade?
A: No, if you had only upgraded to Windows 11 by replacing the previous version, in-place upgrade, then there is no possible way to go back to Windows 10.
Q: Will I face any legal issues after rolling back to Windows 10?
A: No, if you had digitally licensed Windows 10 before upgrading to Windows 11, you could roll back without any legal issues.
In conclusion
Windows 11 is the latest version of Windows 10, and it has some fantastic features. However, if you’re facing some issues and want to switch back to Windows 10, there are specific methods you can use, depending upon your scenario. We hope this article will help you make an informed decision about how to get Windows 11 back to Windows 10 without losing your data.