Reverting from Windows 11 back to Windows 10 isn’t exactly what you’d call a one-click fix. It’s a bit of a process, and honestly, it can be nerve-wracking if you haven’t done it before. Usually, the main reason you’d want to do this is because some features, hardware compatibility issues, or just plain personal preference. The tricky part is, it *will* wipe your drive, so data backup is critical. Also, not every device is guaranteed to go smoothly, especially if the upgrade to 11 was a bit messy. But if you’re ready to roll it back, here’s how to set everything up for a smoother ride and avoid ending up stuck in some boot loop or missing drivers.
How to Reinstall Windows 10 from Windows 11
Basically, this involves preparing a Windows 10 install media, tweaking your BIOS settings, then doing a fresh install. It’s not magic, but it’s not too complicated either — just takes some patience, and attention to detail. Once done, you should be back to that familiar Windows 10 desktop, hopefully with no weird bugs or missing drivers.
Back Up Your Important Files
- First, clear some space on an external drive or upload stuff to cloud storage (like OneDrive, Google Drive, etc.).
- Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary — reinstalling will wipe the drive, so don’t forget this part. Important docs, photos, work files — all need saving somewhere safe.
If you haven’t backed up recently, now’s a good time. Sometimes the backup process fails because of unexpected errors, so double-check that you really got everything you need.
Create a Bootable Windows 10 USB Drive
- Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official site. You can Google “Windows 10 Media Creation Tool” or go straight to https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10.
- Run the tool, and it’ll ask where to save the installation files. It also guides you through creating a bootable USB — make sure the flash drive is at least 8GB and empty, because it’ll get formatted.
- Pick the right edition and language — usually defaults are fine, but double-check if you’re picky.
On some setups, the tool might get hung up or stall, especially if your USB isn’t fast enough or there’s an old file system. Just restart it, use a different USB port (preferably USB 3.0), and try again.
Change Boot Order in BIOS
- 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, Google your PC model + “enter BIOS”.
- Look for the Boot menu or Boot order list. It’s usually somewhere under “Advanced” or “Startup” settings.
- Set your USB stick as the first boot device. Usually, you’ll just drag it to the top or select it with +/− keys. Save changes and restart.
This part drives some people crazy. BIOS menus vary a lot, and sometimes the setting isn’t obvious. Be patient — it’s a one-time setup. If it doesn’t work on the first try, double-check that the USB drive is properly formatted as FAT32 or NTFS, and that Secure Boot is disabled in BIOS, as it sometimes blocks booting from external drives.
Boot from the USB and Install Windows 10
- Insert your prepared USB drive, reboot, and the PC should boot into the Windows Setup environment.
- If it doesn’t, revisit your BIOS settings. Sometimes, on newer machines, you also have to disable Fast Boot or enable Legacy Boot mode.
- Follow the prompts, choose your language and keyboard layout, then select Install Now.
- Enter your Windows 10 product key if prompted. If you upgraded to 11 with a digital license, often Windows activates automatically after install; no key needed.
- Pick the Custom: Install Windows only option — this will give you a clean install and wipe the old OS.
- Select the partition where Windows 11 was installed. Usually, it’s the largest partition, but if you’re unsure, delete the partition for a fresh install. Just beware — deleting partitions erases all data on them.
- The installer will copy files, restart a couple times, then bring you into the fresh Windows 10 setup. Set up your preferences, username, password, and you’re pretty much done.
Some Tips & Things to Watch Out For
- Hardware Compatibility: Make sure your device actually runs Windows 10. Check specs on Microsoft’s site or your hardware vendor.
- Drivers: After install, some drivers (especially graphics or Wi-Fi) might be missing. Head over to your manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers if Windows Update doesn’t find them automatically.
- Internet Connection: Keep your network handy. Downloading additional updates and drivers post-installation is much faster that way.
- Activation: Often, Windows 10 activates automatically if it was activated before — especially if digital licenses are tied to hardware. If not, enter your license key or use the activation troubleshooter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go back to Windows 10 without losing my files?
Reinstalling *technically* always wipes the drive, so your files will be gone unless backed up. Some people report that if you choose to “Reset this PC” through Windows settings, you can keep files, but for a full rollback after a clean install, backups are essential.
What if my PC won’t boot from USB?
Double-check BIOS boot order, disable Secure Boot, and try different USB ports. Weirdly, some machines only boot from specific ports or need a BIOS update for better external boot support.
How long does this whole process take?
Expect around 30 minutes to an hour, depending on hardware speed and download times. On older machines, it might take longer, so patience is key.
Is it possible to revert after 10 days or more of Windows 11?
Yep, but you’ll need to do a full clean install with a prepared Windows 10 USB. The previous upgrade snapshot or rollback option disappears after the time limit, so this is the way to go.
Summary
- Backup your files before anything else
- Create a bootable Windows 10 USB with Media Creation Tool
- Adjust BIOS to boot from USB
- Boot from USB, follow setup prompts
- Install Windows 10, update drivers, and activate
Wrap-up
Messing around with OS reinstallation always feels like walking a tightrope, but if you’re methodical about it, no reason it shouldn’t work. Just make sure your data’s safe first, and don’t skip the BIOS step. Sometimes, it’s just about patience and trial-and-error. Hopefully, this saves someone a headache — it’s totally doable with a bit of prep.