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Errown's avatar
Errown
Iron Contributor
Jun 25, 2025

Can I revert or go back to windows 10 from windows 11?

It has been more than one month and I want to revert back to Windows 10 as the performance of Windows 11 is not very well on my old PC. In fact, the cpu is not supported and I applied some registry hack to install Windows 11 on it.

There are two main issues with Windows 11. First, I can't connect the HP printer to and second, the cpu goes to 100% when playing some video games. I want to go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11. How can I do this safely? It could be best to let me keep the data.

6 Replies

  • If More Than 10 Days Have Passed or "Go Back" Isn't Available. You can follow the following steps to go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11:

    You will need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10:
    1. Backup your data: Save important files, as this process will erase your data.
    2. Download Windows 10 Media Creation Tool:
    3. Create a Bootable USB Drive:
    - Run the Media Creation Tool.
    - Follow the prompts to create a bootable Windows 10 installation media.

    4. Boot from the USB Drive:
    - Restart your PC and boot from the USB (you might need to change boot order in BIOS/UEFI).
    5. Install Windows 10:
    - Follow the on-screen instructions.
    - When prompted, choose to perform a clean installation.

    6. Activate Windows 10:
    - Use your Windows 10 product key if required.

    Before going back to Windows 10 from Windows 11. Ensure you have your Windows 10 license key if needed. Check for driver compatibility after reinstalling.

  • FinleyGrove's avatar
    FinleyGrove
    Iron Contributor

    Hey! From my own experience messing around with these kinds of settings—like disabling sounds or tweaking system stuff—there’s generally no big danger if you’re planning to go back to Windows 10 later. It’s pretty safe to turn off notification sounds or even mess with some system settings, as long as you don’t go tweaking core system files or doing some crazy manual registry edits.    

    Here’s the scoop from what I’ve seen and done:  
    * Disabling notification sounds is reversible and doesn’t really mess up your system. If you go back to Windows 10, those settings will just revert or stay as you set them, and you can turn sounds back on easily. 
    * Just make sure you remember what you changed, or better yet, note it down somewhere. That way, if something weird happens, you can fix it quick. 
    * Also, avoid messing with system files or doing any unofficial tweaks, especially if you’re planning to roll back later. That’s where things can get complicated or risky.

  • HarperLake's avatar
    HarperLake
    Iron Contributor

    If you decide to go back to Windows 10 after trying out Windows 11, there are a few things you should keep in mind based on my experience and general user feedback:

    1. Even though your personal files stay safe, certain programs can get wonky or might not work right away after the downgrade. You might have to reinstall or tweak some settings.
    2. Your customizations, like desktop layout, preferences, or specific configurations, could be lost or reset to default. So, you'll spend a bit of time setting things up again.
    3. Sometimes, drivers for certain hardware components (like printers, graphics cards, etc.) might not work perfectly after going back, especially if Windows 10 drivers were updated for Windows 11.
    4. You might lose some of the latest updates that came with Windows 11, and you'll need to check and update Windows 10 afterward.
    5. If something doesn't go smoothly, troubleshooting can be a headache, and in some cases, a clean install might be necessary, which is more hassle.

     

    Basically, while it's pretty safe to go back  Windows 10 within the 10 days, don’t forget to back up your important stuff first just in case. And be prepared for a bit of cleanup or re-setup afterward.

  • VickieMurph's avatar
    VickieMurph
    Iron Contributor

    A system backup in Windows 10 refers to creating a complete copy of your operating system, including:

    • Windows system files
    • Installed programs and drivers
    • System settings
    • Personal files (optional, depending on method)

    This backup allows you to restore your entire system to an earlier state in case of major issues like system failure, malware, or a failed upgrade. Once you have a system backup in Windows 10, you can revert back to Windows 10 from previous system backup.

    Step 1: Plug in the external drive where your Windows 10 image is stored.

    Step 2: Insert the Windows installation USB or recovery disk. Restart your PC and boot from the USB/DVD (you may need to press F12, F2, Esc, or Del to enter boot menu.)

    Step 3: Once booted, select:

    1. Language preferences, then click Next
    2. Click Repair your computer (bottom left)
    3. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery.

    Step 4: Choose your system image

    1. Select your Windows 10 system image backup.
    2. Follow the wizard to restore the image to your primary drive.

    Step 5: Confirm your selections and click 'Finish.' The recovery process will begin and may take some time. This allows you going back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 after 10 days.

    Warning:

    This will replace your current Windows 11 installation with Windows 10.

    All current data will be lost, so back up any files on Windows 11 before proceeding.

    After restoration, your system will boot into your old Windows 10 setup, exactly as it was when you created the image.

  • Manisnpin's avatar
    Manisnpin
    Iron Contributor

    If you upgraded to Windows 11 within the past 10 days, Windows keeps a backup of your previous Windows 10 installation in a folder called Windows.old. This allows you to roll back to Windows 10 without losing your personal files, apps, or settings although some apps may still need to be reinstalled or reconfigured.

    How to Roll Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 within 10 Days

    1. Click Start and go to Settings (or press Windows + I)

    2. Navigate to: System > Recovery

    3. Under Recovery options, look for Go back. (If it's available, you'll see a button that says "Go back".)

    4. Click 'Go back', choose a reason, and follow the on-screen instructions to revert back to Windows 10 from Windows 11.

    Important Notes:

    If you delete the Windows.old folder or use Disk Cleanup, this option will disappear.

    After 10 days, the system automatically removes the rollback option to free up space.

    Your files will stay, but it's still recommended to back up important data before downgrading, just in case.

     

     

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