If you recently upgraded to Windows 11 from Windows 10 and find the new UI, taskbar, and the Start menu not to your liking, worry not, you can roll back to Windows 10 easily. While we loved many of the Windows 11 features, we understand that the next-gen OS is not for everyone. The UI is completely overhauled, and Microsoft has also removed many features from Windows 11. So if you want to roll back to Windows 10 from Windows 11, follow the guide below to downgrade to Windows 10 in a few easy steps.
Here, we have mentioned three ways to downgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 11. If you want to go back within 10 days of installing the preview build, the transition will be smoother with no issues. However, if the 10-day period has expired, you will have to install Windows 10 on your PC manually. So without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Downgrade to Windows 10 From Windows 11 Within 10 Days
Go Back to Windows 10 From Windows 11 After 10 Days
Roll Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 (Manual Installation)
Downgrade to Windows 10 From Windows 11 Within 10 Days
If you have installed Windows 11 and don’t feel comfortable using the new UI, don’t fret, you can seamlessly downgrade to Windows 10. However, you must perform this action within 10 days of installing the Windows 11 preview build. After that, you will have to clean install Windows 10 manually, as I have mentioned below. In this process, none of your files or programs will be deleted. Also, Windows 10 will remain activated.
Downgrade to Windows 10 From Windows 11 Within 10 Days
- After that, click on “No, thanks“.
Go Back to Windows 10 From Windows 11 After 10 Days
You can go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 even after 10 days, but you need to perform this action before the 10-day period expires. If the 10-day period has expired, Windows 11 will permanently delete the “Windows.old” folder, and you won’t be able to switch back through a seamless process. You can also use this method to extend the uninstallation period.
- Now, you will be able to go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 even after 10 days. Keep in mind the maximum rollback period is 60 days. So if you decide to move back to Windows 10, remember to do it within this 2-month period.
Roll Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 (Manual Installation)
This method comes into play if you are past the 10-days (or up to 60-days) rollback window. Also, if you deleted the “Windows.old” folder to free up space or used Storage Sense to remove temporary files, you can’t downgrade to Windows 10 with everything intact.
Once the bootable USB stick is ready, restart your computer, and while the computer boots up, start pressing the boot key continuously. From the boot screen, select the thumb drive and hit enter.
Now, identify the “C” drive partition based on the drive size and click on “Next” to install Windows 10 on your PC. This will only wipe your C drive (including programs and files from Desktop, My Documents, Downloads — all within C drive). And all your other partitions will remain untouched.
