Getting rid of Windows 11 and whacking in Windows 10 isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but if you follow a few simple steps, you’ll be right as rain. The main thing to remember is it involves a clean install, so all your data on the Windows 11 drive will be wiped. Better to back up your files first—seriously. Nothing worse than losing your treasured photos or work docs coz you didn’t save a backup. And yeah, if the ‘Go back’ option is still there—that’s a bit weird ’cause Microsoft sometimes makes it tricky—it’s the easiest way to revert. Just head to Settings > System > Recovery and look for ‘Go back to Windows 10.’ If it’s been more than 10 days since the upgrade, that option usually disappears, so you’ll need a different plan.
Method 1: Use the ‘Go back’ option (if it’s still there)
This is the quick and easy option. If you upgraded recently, Windows keeps a copy of your previous system files in C:\Recovery. Just head there or jump straight into Settings > System > Recovery. If you see the ‘Go back to Windows 10’ button, give it a click, follow the prompts, and it’ll usually roll you back in a few minutes. Fair warning—sometimes this gets disabled if you’ve cleaned up system files or it’s been too long since the upgrade. When it’s available, it’s smooth sailing and spares you the hassle of creating a bootable USB. But beware—on some setups, it can be flaky and just refuse to work. So don’t be surprised if it doesn’t do the trick after a while. Also, make sure your PC’s plugged in—running out of juice mid-way is a nightmare.
Method 2: Create a bootable USB with Windows 10
This one’s for when the ‘Go back’ button is gone or the time window has expired. Grab a blank USB stick with at least 8GB of storage—no exceptions. Head over to Microsoft’s official page and download the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft’s site. Use Rufus (or a similar tool) to make your USB bootable. Basically, plug in the USB, select the ISO, and hit ‘Start’—not rocket science, but pay attention. You’ll need to set the partition scheme to GPT for UEFI systems, which is pretty standard nowadays. Once it’s ready, restart your PC and hit the BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, or similar during startup). Change the boot order so the USB is first, then save and exit. This is what Microsoft means by ‘boot from USB’ in tech terms.
Method 3: Installing Windows 10 from USB
With the USB plugged in, restart your PC and it should boot from the USB stick. Follow the on-screen prompts—select your language, time, keyboard layout, etc. When you reach the partition setup, you’ll see your current drive—delete the partition or format it (make sure you’re certain, coz all data is gone). Then, choose the unallocated space or the partition you want to install on and hit ‘Next.’ Windows 10 will start installing. It’s usually straightforward but can get tricky if your hardware needs specific drivers. Expect a few restarts, but the good thing is you’re in control—no OEM bloatware, just a clean install. After installing, you’ll probably need to install drivers for graphics, audio, and network. Grab the latest ones from your hardware maker’s website if Windows doesn’t find them automatically.
Extra tip: Change Boot Order in BIOS / UEFI
Most modern PCs use UEFI instead of a traditional BIOS, but the idea’s the same—restart, watch for a key press (like F12, Esc, or F10), and select ‘Boot Menu.’ Then, bump the USB to the top of the boot priority list. Because of course, Windows has to make things a bit more complicated. Save the settings, and your PC will boot straight into the Windows installer next time you restart.
After Installing Windows 10
Once Windows 10’s up and running, it’ll ask for your product key—your digital license might activate it automatically if your hardware hasn’t changed much. Otherwise, type in your key or skip it and activate later. Reinstall your apps and restore your backup files, no worries. Sometimes, drivers need a manual install—go to the hardware maker’s website, download the latest drivers, and run the setup. Expect a bit of tweaking, especially if your hardware’s a few years old or a bit quirky.
Top Tips to Avoid Headaches
- Double-check that your device drivers are compatible with Windows 10. Otherwise, hardware might not work as it should (or at all).
- Keep your Windows 10 product key handy—it might be needed during install or activation.
- Use a reliable power source—laptops running on battery isn’t the best idea during install, in case the power drops out.
- Check out manufacturer forums or Reddit if you run into trouble—sometimes specific drivers or setups need a bit of tweaking.
- Make sure your backups are sorted out before you start, so you’re not scrambling to find files later.
FAQs
What happens to my data when I reinstall Windows 10?
If you do a clean install, everything on that drive gets wiped. Backups are your best mate here.
Can I go back to Windows 11 after installing Windows 10?
Sure, but only if you upgrade again via Windows Update or do a fresh install—there’s no magic undo button once you wipe the drive.
How long will it take?
Depends on your hardware, but reckon about 30 minutes to an hour. Cheers to SSDs for speeding things up.
Will my apps still work after the switch?
Most likely yes, but some device-specific apps or drivers might need a recent update. Better check before you downgrade.
Do I need a new product key for Windows 10?
If Windows 10 has been activated on this device before, probably not. If not, you might need to buy one, especially if the old license isn’t linked to your account.
Summary
- Back up all your files on an external drive or cloud storage.
- If it’s still available, try the ‘Go back’ in Settings.
- Create a bootable USB with Rufus and the Windows 10 ISO.
- Change your BIOS boot order so the USB boots first.
- Follow the prompts to install Windows 10, delete the old Windows partition, and get it all set up.
Hopefully, this helps save you a bit of time. Just remember—back up your files and take your time changing the BIOS. Good luck, mate!