Reverting Windows 11 back to Windows 10 sounds scarier than it really is, especially if you’ve hit some bugs or just miss the older interface. It’s not like rolling back a major OS upgrade is something you do every day, but once you know where to look, it’s pretty straightforward — provided you’re still within that magic 10-day window after upgrading. Otherwise, you might be stuck with a clean install, which is a pain and can wipe your files if you’re not careful. So, before jumping into this, backing up your data is a good idea; just in case. Sometimes, the options are hidden or greyed out, especially if you’ve cleared your Windows old files or if it’s been over 10 days, but don’t worry — there are workarounds like creating installation media or using recovery options. So, get ready for a handful of clicks and maybe a reboot or two, and you’ll be back on good ol’ Windows 10 before you know it.
How to Revert Windows 11 to 10
Accessing the Recovery Settings—Where the magic happens
First things first, you need to go deep into the system. Hit Start and click on Settings. Then navigate through System > Recovery.(Or just type “recovery” into the search bar in Settings, which is faster.) That’s where Windows keeps the options for rolling back to a previous version—or at least, it *used* to. If you skipped or deleted your Windows.old folder during cleanup, this option might be gone, so be aware. It’s a handy spot if you’ve just upgraded within the last 10 days and haven’t touched anything else.
Method 1: The built-in “Go back” option—Does it still work?
- Under Recovery options, look for Go back to Windows 10. If it’s there, click on Get Started. This is usually the easiest route, because Windows handles a lot behind the scenes. Keep in mind this only works in the first 10 days after the upgrade — after that, the old files get cleaned out to free space, and this option may disappear.
- Follow the prompts — you’ll be asked why you’re reverting (pick one if you want), then just let Windows do its thing. It may take a while, so be patient. Sometimes the rollback gets stuck, especially if your disk is slow or if you interrupted updates before, so don’t be surprised if it’s not perfect the first time.
Why does this help? Because on some setups, Windows has a “rollback” option that keeps your old OS intact temporarily after update, just in case you don’t like the new version. When it works, it’s a quick fix. When it doesn’t, you’re probably looking at other options.
Method 2: Using Windows Recovery Drive or installation media
- If the built-in option isn’t there, another way is to create a bootable Windows 10 installer on a USB stick. You can grab the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website, run it on another PC, and make your boot media. It’s a bit of a hassle, but sometimes necessary if the rollback option is gone.
- Boot from the USB, choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. From there, you can try options like “System Restore” if you’ve set restore points, or go straight into a clean install — which is kind of last resort, but guarantees a fresh start.
Why do this? Because sometimes, Windows has lost the “easy” way to go back, especially after 10 days, and you need to manually restore or reinstall. This method also applies if you’re going to do a clean install and want to make sure all old files are preserved or properly migrated.
Tips and tricks for a smoother return
- Backup first: Always make sure your important files are saved somewhere outside of Windows — external drive, cloud, whatever. Better safe than sorry.
- Drivers may need love: Some hardware drivers might get lost or not work properly after the downgrade. Keep a list of your essential drivers or visit your manufacturer’s website beforehand to grab driver installers.
- Expect some reinstallation: Certain apps may need to be installed fresh, especially those tightly integrated with Windows 11.
- Don’t rush: The process isn’t super complicated, but it can take a couple of hours if you’re doing a clean install or troubleshooting.
Another one to try if your rollback options are dead—consider creating a full system image or recovery drive beforehand. That way, if things go sideways, you can restore faster. Or, if everything else fails, a complete wipe and reinstall of Windows 10 might be your best shot. Just make sure you’ve got your product key or digital license handy, especially for activated Windows 10 setups.