Uninstalling Windows 11 isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it’s doable for most folks who are comfy with a few system settings. The main idea is to roll back to your previous OS — usually Windows 10 — if you upgraded recently, say within the last 10 days. If you’re well past that and did a fresh install, then you’re looking at doing a clean install of your old OS, which involves creating bootable media, wiping your drive, and installing Windows from scratch. Not always a lot of fun, but it gets the job done.
How to Uninstall Windows 11
Open Settings and find the recovery options
First up, hit the Start menu and click on Settings. From there, go to System — it’s usually the first or second thing on the list. Once you’re in System, look for Recovery. Sometimes you might need to scroll a bit, but it’s usually under the main system menu.
If you’re on Windows 11, you can also quickly get there by pressing Windows + I and typing Recovery into the search bar. Easy as!
Check if the ‘Go back’ option is available
Under Recovery, find the section called Previous version of Windows. If the Go back button is there, you’re in luck. It means the old Windows files are still sitting on your drive, and you can revert. Usually, this window pops up if you upgraded within the last 10 days. If you see it, just click Go back.
This is the easiest way, because Windows basically rolls everything back for you. On some machines, it might be a bit dodgy — like, you click and nothing happens — but a quick reboot can sometimes sort it out.
Follow the prompts and finish the rollback
Once you hit Go back, a wizard will pop up asking a few questions like “Why are you going back?” and reminding you to back up your stuff. Bit weird, but it’s there to help you keep your data safe. Make sure you’ve saved everything important, because this process can wipe recent changes.
After you go through the prompts, Windows will start rolling back. Your PC will restart a few times — don’t stress, that’s normal — and after a bit, you should be back on Windows 10 or whatever OS you had before. Just a heads-up: if you deleted previous Windows files or it’s been past that 10-day window, this method won’t work.
Tips for Uninstalling Windows 11
- Back up your files before you start — always a good idea.
- If the rollback option isn’t showing up, consider fixing any issues or waiting to see if updates sort it out. Sometimes going back isn’t even necessary.
- If you’re after a clean install, you’ll need a bootable Windows USB. Tools like Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool are handy for that.
- Have your product key or digital license ready, especially if you’re doing a fresh install later on.
- Remember: any apps or settings you’ve updated after the upgrade will be lost when you revert or do a fresh install. So, back up any important app data if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall Windows 11 after 10 days?
Nah, not really. The built-in rollback feature only works within 10 days of upgrading. After that, you’re looking at a full clean install.
Will I lose data by uninstalling Windows 11?
Depends — if you’re using the recovery options, some data might be okay, but a clean install will wipe everything. Always back up first — better safe than sorry.
Can I reinstall Windows 11 after uninstalling it?
Yep, as long as your hardware plays the game and you’ve got the installation media sorted, you can put it back on.
What if the ‘Go back’ option isn’t showing anymore?
If it’s past 10 days or you’ve deleted the old Windows files, that option’s gone. You’ll need to do a clean install, which means making a bootable USB and starting fresh. Annoying, but it works.
Does uninstalling Windows 11 mess up my apps?
Mostly, yeah. Unless you’ve backed up app data separately, you’ll probably need to reinstall or reconfigure some apps after reverting or doing a clean install.
Summary
- Open Settings.
- Go to System.
- Select Recovery.
- Click Go Back (if it’s there).
- Follow the prompts and wait for the system to roll back.
Wrap-up
Uninstalling Windows 11 is pretty straightforward if you catch the rollback window — just a few clicks, some patience, and making sure you’ve backed up. If the option’s gone, then it’s time for a clean install. Either way, always have your backups sorted — these things can turn pear-shaped if you’re not prepared. Hope this helps someone save a bit of hassle. Worked for me — fingers crossed it does for you too.