How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10

Windows 11 has been out for a while now. As a major version upgrade, it’s tempting to upgrade to Windows 11. But what if you just updated to Windows 11 but don’t like it very much? The big question is, can you downgrade from Windows 11 to 10?

The answer is yes. If you want to roll back from Windows 11 to 10, there are a couple of ways to do it. Here’s how to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10.

Read more: Should you upgrade to Windows 11?

Downgrading using the Windows Recovery “Go back” option

If it has been fewer than ten days since you upgraded to Windows 11, Windows Recovery will let you roll back to Windows 10, using the “Go back” prompt. Here are the steps.

• Open Windows settings, and head over to the Recovery tab.
• Under Recovery options, there will be a tab named Go back. Under this tab, click the Go back button located to the right.
• A window named Go back to Windows 10 will pop up, asking you why you’re downgrading to Windows 10. Click Next after you’ve selected your reason.
• The next step will ask to check for updates. Click the No, thanks button.
• You will see a What you need to know section next, telling you what the downgrade from Windows 11 will do to your apps and settings. Check the information properly, and click Next.
• The next step will be a warning about remembering your Windows 10 sign-in password. Click Next again.
• The window will now say Thank you for trying Windows 11. Click the Go back to Windows 10 button to begin the rollback.
• Your computer will restart and enter recovery. Depending on your system, it will take a while to complete the downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10. Once done, you will be able to log in to Windows 10.

Reinstalling Windows 10

The first method will not be available if it has been over ten days since you upgraded to Windows 11. You may see the Go back prompt greyed out. In that case, you will need to reinstall Windows 10 using the Windows Media Creation Tool. This method to downgrade from Windows 11 is practically a fresh Windows 10 install.

Head over to the official Windows 10 webpage, and click the Download tool now button under Create Windows 10 installation media section.

Accept the notices and license terms by clicking the Accept button.

The Media Creation Tool will take some time to get things ready and then give you a prompt. Make sure you’ve selected Upgrade this PC now, and click Next.

Once the download progress hits 100%, the media creation progress will start. Click through any prompts that may show up. After completion, you will get another prompt labeled Choose what to keep. The Nothing option will be selected by default. Click on Next.

You will enter the Windows 10 setup. Follow the setup process to downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10.

Read more: How to install Windows 11