Upgrading to Windows 11 in April 2025 might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but perhaps you’ve encountered compatibility issues, prefer the Windows 10 interface, or are experiencing performance problems. Fortunately, Microsoft provides a built-in option to downgrade from Windows 11 back to Windows 10 within a specific timeframe. If that window has passed, you can still revert by performing a clean installation. This guide will walk you through both methods, ensuring you can return to your preferred operating system.
Important Note: Before proceeding with any downgrade process, it is absolutely crucial to back up all your important data (documents, photos, videos, etc.) to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage. While the built-in rollback option aims to keep your files, unexpected issues can occur. A clean installation will erase everything on your system drive.
Step 1: Checking If the Built-In Rollback Option is Available (The 10-Day Window)
Windows 11 offers a convenient way to go back to Windows 10 within the first 10 days after the upgrade. This method typically preserves your personal files.
- Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on “System”: In the left-hand menu, click on “System.”
- Click on “Recovery”: On the right-hand side, click on “Recovery.”
- Look for “Go back to Windows 10”: Under the “Recovery options” section, you should see an option labeled “Go back to Windows 10.”
- Click “Go back”: If this option is available (it will be grayed out if more than 10 days have passed since the upgrade), click the “Go back” button.
- Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Windows will guide you through the downgrade process. You’ll likely be asked why you’re going back and might be prompted to take certain actions. Ensure your computer is plugged in and has a stable internet connection throughout the process.
- Wait for the Downgrade to Complete: Your computer will restart several times during the downgrade process. This might take some time, so be patient.
- Log In to Windows 10: Once the downgrade is complete, your computer will boot into Windows 10, and you can log in with your usual credentials. Your personal files should still be in their original locations. You might need to reinstall some applications that were removed during the upgrade to Windows 11.
Important Notes:
- The “Go back to Windows 10” option is only available for 10 days after upgrading to Windows 11.
- If you performed a clean installation of Windows 11, this option will not be available.
- Any new files you created or significant changes you made in Windows 11 after the upgrade might be lost during the rollback.
Step 2: Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 10 (After the 10-Day Window or for a Fresh Start)
If the 10-day rollback window has expired, or if you prefer a completely fresh installation of Windows 10, you’ll need to perform a clean install. This method will erase all data on your system drive, so ensure you have a complete backup of everything you want to keep.
- Create Windows 10 Installation Media: You’ll need a USB flash drive (at least 8GB) or a DVD and the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, which you can download from the official Microsoft website. Run the tool and follow the instructions to create the installation media.
- Back Up Your Data (Again!): As a reminder, this process will erase everything. Ensure you have a complete backup of all your important files.
- Boot from the Installation Media:
- Restart Your Computer:
- Enter BIOS/UEFI Settings: As your computer restarts, you’ll likely see a message like “Press DEL to enter Setup” or “Press F12 for Boot Menu.” Press the indicated key repeatedly to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Change Boot Order: Find the boot order settings and set your computer to boot from the USB drive or DVD you just created.
- Save and Exit: Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will restart and boot from the installation media.
- Start the Windows 10 Setup: Once your computer boots from the installation media, you’ll see the Windows Setup screen. Click “Next.”
- Click “Install now”: Click on the “Install now” button.
- Enter Your Product Key or Skip: If you have a Windows 10 product key, enter it. If you upgraded to Windows 11 from an activated Windows 10, you might be able to skip this step, and Windows 10 might activate automatically later.
- Accept the License Terms: Check the “I accept the license terms” box and click “Next.”
- Choose “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”: Crucially, select the “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)” option. This ensures a clean installation.
- Select Your System Drive and Format It: You’ll see a list of drives and partitions. Select your primary system drive (where Windows 11 is currently installed) and click “Format.” This will erase all data on that drive. Be absolutely sure you have backed up everything important before doing this!
- Click “Next” after selecting the formatted drive.
- Windows 10 Installation Begins: Windows Setup will now begin installing Windows 10. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Set Up Windows 10: Once the installation is complete, you’ll need to go through the initial Windows 10 setup process.
- Restore Your Data and Reinstall Applications: After setting up Windows 10, you can restore your backed-up personal files and reinstall all your applications.
My Personal Insights on Downgrading from Windows 11 to 10
I’ve assisted many users with downgrading from Windows 11 back to Windows 10. The 10-day rollback option is definitely the easiest and most convenient if it’s still available. However, if that window has passed, a clean installation is the only way to go back. For users in India, where internet data might be a consideration, having the Windows 10 installation media ready beforehand is advisable if you anticipate needing to perform a clean install. Remember, backing up your data is absolutely essential before undertaking either of these processes to avoid any potential data loss.