Switching back from Windows 11 to Windows 10 isn’t exactly a one-click job. It’s a bit of a process, and fair dinkum, it can be a bit stressful if you’ve never done it before. Generally, folks go this route because some features aren’t it, hardware compatibility is a bit dodgy, or just personal preference. The tricky part is, it *will* wipe your drive, so don’t forget to back up your stuff. Also, not every device plays nice first go — especially if your upgrade to 11 was a bit of a dog’s breakfast. But if you’re ready to make the leap, here’s how to get everything sorted smoothly and avoid ending up stuck in a boot loop or missing drivers.
How to Reinstall Windows 10 from Windows 11
Basically, you’ll need to get a Windows 10 install USB ready, fiddle with your BIOS settings, and do a clean install. It’s not magic, but it’s not too tricky either — just a matter of patience and watching the details. Once finished, you’ll be back to that familiar Windows 10 desktop, hopefully without any weird bugs or missing drivers.
Back Up Your Important Stuff
- First off, free up some space on an external drive or send your files to the cloud (like OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.).
- Because, of course, Windows has to make things tricky — reinstalling will wipe your drive, so don’t forget this step. Important docs, photos, work files — all need saving somewhere safe.
If you haven’t backed up recently, now’s a good shout. Sometimes backups fail unexpectedly, so double-check you’ve got everything you need before you proceed.
Create a Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive
- Grab the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website. You can Google “Windows 10 Media Creation Tool” or head straight to https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10.
- Run the tool, and it’ll ask where to save the install files. It’ll also guide you through making a bootable USB — make sure your flash drive is at least 8GB and empty, as it’ll get formatted.
- Select the right edition and language — the defaults are usually fine, but double-check if you’re a bit fussy.
Sometimes, the tool can get stuck or hang, especially if your USB isn’t quick enough or has an old file system. If that happens, restart the process, try a different USB port (preferably USB 3.0), and give it another go.
- Reboot your PC and immediately press F2, Delete, or another key (sometimes ESC, F12, depends on your motherboard) to get into BIOS/UEFI settings. If you’re not sure, look it up — just Google your PC model + “enter BIOS”.
- Find the Boot menu or Boot order list. It’s usually under “Advanced” or “Startup” options.
- Set your USB stick as the first boot device. Usually, you just move it to the top or select it with +/− keys. Save your changes and restart.
This step can be a bit of a pain. BIOS menus differ a lot, and sometimes the setting isn’t obvious. Stay patient — it’s a one-time setup. If it doesn’t work straight away, double-check that the USB is formatted as FAT32 or NTFS, and that Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS, since it can block booting from external drives.
Boot from the USB and Install Windows 10
- Plug in your prepared USB, reboot your PC, and it should boot into the Windows Setup environment.
- If it doesn’t, revisit your BIOS settings. On newer machines, you might also need to disable Fast Boot or turn on Legacy Boot mode.
- Follow the prompts, pick your preferred language and keyboard layout, then click Install Now.
- Enter your Windows 10 product key if asked. If you upgraded to 11 with a digital license, Windows often activates itself after installation — so no worries there.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only — this’ll give you a clean slate and wipe the old OS.
- Select the partition where Windows 11 was installed. Usually, it’s the biggest one, but if you’re not sure, you can delete it for a fresh start. Just keep in mind — deleting partitions erases everything on them.
- The installer will copy files, restart a few times, then bring you into the fresh Windows 10 setup. Just follow the prompts to set up your preferences, username, password, and you’re off to the races.
Some Tips & Things to Keep in Mind
- Hardware Compatibility: Check your device actually runs Windows 10. Look up specs on Microsoft’s site or your hardware vendor’s webpage.
- Drivers: After installing, some drivers (especially graphics or Wi-Fi) might be missing. Visit your manufacturer’s website to grab the latest drivers if Windows Update doesn’t find them automatically.
- Internet Connection: Keep your Wi-Fi or Ethernet handy. Updating drivers and downloads after install go a lot smoother when you’re connected.
- Activation: Windows 10 usually activates automatically if it was activated before — especially if you’ve got a digital licence linked to hardware. If not, pop in your product key or run the activation troubleshooter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go back to Windows 10 without losing my stuff?
Reinstalling *generally* wipes everything, so make sure you’ve backed up your files. Some folks say that using the “Reset this PC” option in Windows settings can keep files, but for a full rollback after a clean install, backups are the way to go.
What if my PC won’t boot from USB?
Double-check your BIOS boot order, disable Secure Boot, and try different USB ports. Some machines are a bit fussy — they only boot from certain ports or need a BIOS update for smoother external booting.
How long does the whole process take?
Plan for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your hardware and internet speed. Older rigs might take longer, so a bit of patience is key.
Is it possible to revert after 10 days or more of Windows 11?
Sure is, but you’ll need to do a full clean install with a Windows 10 USB ready to go. The upgrade snapshot and rollback options get disabled after a certain period, so this is your best bet.
Quick Summary
- Back up your data first
- Create a bootable Windows 10 USB with Media Creation Tool
- Change BIOS to boot from USB
- Boot from the USB, follow the prompts
- Install Windows 10, update drivers, and activate
Final Word
Messing about with OS reinstallation can feel a bit like walking a tightrope, but if you’re steady and methodical, it’s totally doable. Just keep your data safe and make sure you get into BIOS and change the boot order. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of patience and a bit of trial and error. Hope this helps someone avoid a headache — it’s definitely something you can sort out with a bit of prep.