Reverting from Windows 11 back to Windows 10
So, you’ve had a crack and upgraded to Windows 11, but now it’s feeling more like a pain in the neck than an upgrade. If you’re still within those first 10 days, you can roll back pretty straightforwardly — fair dinkum. Just a bit of a hassle. Here’s a quick guide on how to go back to Windows 10 without losing your files (most of the time, anyway).
Getting Started: Jump into Settings
First up, open up the Settings. Click on that Start button in the corner — yep, the little Windows icon — then find the gear icon for Settings. To save time, just press Windows + I — it’ll take you straight there. Feeling a bit fancy? Type start ms-settings: in the Run box with Windows + R. You’ll be in the control centre before you know it.
Find the System and Recovery Stuff
In the Settings window, look for System on the sidebar. It usually sits near the top. Click on it, then scroll down a tad to find Recovery. That’s your key. If you don’t see the option to go back, it might mean the rollback window has closed or the pesky Windows.old folder has gone walkabout. You’ll find that folder in C:\Windows.old — it’s pretty important for reversing the upgrade.
Time to Revert
Click the “Go back” button when it appears. Don’t be surprised if Windows asks why you’re leaving — it’s all about “improvement,” apparently. Just be honest or pick something generic because, truth be told, it probably isn’t the smoothest experience. The system will double-check everything’s in order, especially if the Windows.old folder is still hanging about. You can also check if you’re still in the clear with this command in PowerShell:
reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UpgradeNotifications" /v "OobeComplete" /t REG_SZOnce it says you’re good to go, hit Next.
Follow the Instructions
Just follow what the prompts say. Make sure to save all your open stuff; this isn’t a quick hop. Every time it restarts, keep your device plugged in so it doesn’t switch off mid-way. If things go awry, you can always access recovery options by going to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup and clicking Restart now. Then, look for Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Go back if it’s still an option.
Be Patient, Mate
Just sit back and wait. Depending on your hardware, this can take anywhere from twenty minutes to what feels like forever. Your PC will restart a few times — standard Windows stuff. Make sure it’s plugged in to avoid a nasty shutdown. While you wait, maybe grab a cuppa or get stuck into some telly. You’ve earned it, mate.
Tips Before Going Back
Before you jump in, check that the Windows.old folder is still around — open File Explorer or pop this in the command line: dir C:\Windows.old. Also, check how much space you’ve got — at least 20 GB is a good shout. In PowerShell, run Get-PSDrive -PSProvider FileSystem to see your free space. And for goodness’ sake, back up your important bits to an external drive or cloud, just in case things go pear-shaped.
FAQs About Downgrading
What if it’s been over 10 days?
Once the 10-day window ticks over, you won’t be able to roll back the easy way. Your best bet then is to do a clean install, which wipes everything. You’ll want to use the Media Creation Tool for that:
MediaCreationTool.exe /MediaCreationTool20H2.exeFollow the prompts and you’ll have Windows 10 back like it was 2019.
Will I lose my files?
Most of your personal stuff should be all right, but some apps or settings might go walkabout. It’s always smart to back up your important files just in case. A quick and easy way is with robocopy:
robocopy C:\Users\YourName\Documents D:\Backup\Documents /ECan I jump back to Windows 11 later?
No worries, you sure can. Just update through Windows Update, use the Installation Assistant from Microsoft, or create bootable media with the Media Creation Tool.
Is there any cost involved to revert?
Nope. As long as your Windows licence is genuine, rolling back within that 10-day window is all free as a bird.
Need a product key for Windows 10?
Most of the time, it’ll activate automatically if it’s linked to your digital licence. But it’s a good idea to have that key handy just in case it asks for it during reinstallation. You can find it by running:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKeyor check in your BIOS/UEFI if it’s embedded there.
Rolling back can feel like digging through a bit of a time machine — sometimes it’s smooth sailing, other times a bit of a headache. Just remember to back up everything important before you start, and you should be right to get back to the calm waters of Windows 10. If things get stuck or won’t budge, poke around in the Advanced Startup options for the fix that suits your setup.
Hope this helps someone cut down on the hassle. Just keep your head and back up your stuff — that way, you’ll get through it without too much drama!