How to Downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10 without Losing data?

[DevinZhang]

Hi all,

I successfully installed Windows 11 on an unsupported PC that was running with Windows 10 in the past. After 30 days of trial and testing, it seems Windows 11 is not the right option me. Now, I want to downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10 on my PC but the Go Back option was no longer available as 10 days has been pasted.

What is the right option to downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10 after 10 days without losing data? It could be great the recommended solution could be easy enough for non tech savvy.

Thanks

[#2]

You need to create a Windows 10 bootable USB and reinstall Windows 10 from scratch as the 10-day time frame was pasted. Please back up the data and apps before downgrading Windows 11 to 10 from a bootable USB.

[#3]

If you created a system image of your Windows 10 installation before upgrading to Windows 11, you could restore that image.

• Boot from Windows Recovery:
  Boot your PC and interrupt the boot process three times to trigger Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
  Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Image Recovery.
• Select the Image: Follow the prompts to select the image you created when Windows 10 was installed and restore it.

After downgrading Windows 11 to Windows 10, ensure you install the necessary drivers for your hardware. You can often find the latest drivers on the manufacturer's website.

[#4]

@DevinZhang  To downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, you have a 10-day time frame after upgrading to Windows 11. During this period, you can roll back to your previous version of Windows without losing any files.

Eligibility: The 10-day rollback window is available if you performed an in-place upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. After the 10 days, the system deletes the old Windows files, making it impossible to downgrade without a clean installation.

How to Downgrade Windows 11 to 10 without losing data: Go to Settings > System > Recovery. Under Recovery options, select Go back (if available). Follow the on-screen instructions to return to Windows 10.

If more than 10 days have passed, you would need to reinstall Windows 10 manually, which involves backing up your data and performing a clean installation.

[#5]

Even if you can go back within the 10-day window, this method will wipe out all your files, settings, and apps. You'll need to start from scratch. Some apps might not work properly or might not be compatible with Windows 10 after the downgrade. This could cause problems or even render certain apps useless.

In my experience, manually downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 can be a bit more hassle-free, but it still requires some effort. You'll need to:

• Back up your important files and data
• Create a bootable Windows 10 installation media
• Perform a clean installation of Windows 10
• Restore your backed-up data

This approach can be more time-consuming, but it's a safer bet if you have important files or data you want to preserve.

[#6]

"Downgrade Windows 11 to 10 Go back not available"? There are two mains reasons for this issue.

Exceeded the 10-Day Window: Windows 11 provides only a 10-day window to roll back to Windows 10. If more than 10 days have passed since you upgraded, the system automatically deletes the old version of Windows (stored in a folder called Windows.old) to free up space.

Deleted Windows.old Folder: The Windows.old folder contains your previous version of Windows. If this folder has been deleted (either manually or by a cleanup tool like Disk Cleanup), the system no longer has the files required for the rollback.

To fix this, you need to create Windows 10 bootable USB to downgrade Windows 11 to 10 without go back option.

[#7]

Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 can be a pretty smooth ride if you do it right, but there are definitely some bumps you wanna avoid along the way. First off, dude, don't go diving into this downgrade without a solid backup. Seriously, back up all your important files. You can use OneDrive, an external hard drive, or whatever suits your fancy. Best case scenario, nothing goes wrong, but if it does, you don't wanna lose anything precious.

Before you even think about rolling back, check if your hardware is good to go for Windows 10. Sometimes, older devices have issues with drivers or functionality on newer OS versions. You can hit up the Microsoft website and find compatibility info if you're unsure.

[#8]

When you downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, sometimes drivers don't play nice. Make sure you have all the latest Windows 10 drivers ready to go. You can usually find these on your manufacturer's website. I once downgraded and ended up with a funky Wi-Fi issue 'cause I didn't have the right drivers. Not cool!

Keep your Windows 10 product key handy. If your Windows 10 was activated before, it should automatically activate again once you reinstall it, but sometimes you may need the key. You can find your product key using tools like ProduKey or check on the packaging if you have a retail version.

Don't forget that you'll likely lose some of your personalization settings. Windows 11 has different themes and layouts, so be prepared to tweak things back to your liking once you're all set up on Windows 10. Make sure the apps you love are still supported on Windows 10. While most apps remain compatible, it's worth double-checking your critical ones. I ran into one of those "not supported" walls once and had to hunt for alternatives.

[#9]

@DevinZhang I recently downgraded Windows 11 to 10 on new laptop as Windows 11 consumes much more resource than Windows 10. In addition, I don't like the design as well. In fact, I am more conformtable with the legacy style of Windows 10.

1. To downgrade Windows 11 to 10 on a new laptop:
2. Back up all important data to an external drive.
3. Make a bootable Windows 10 install USB from ISO file.
4. Boot the computer from USB and start installing Windows 10 on new laptop.
5. Finish system settings and copy data to to Windows 10.

This is a quite safe way to downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10 on a new laptop.

[#10]

Windows 10 generally runs smoother and requires fewer resources compared to Windows 11. If you notice your new laptop lagging or struggling with multitasking, going back to Windows 10 can help free up some of that CPU and RAM. In my own experience, once I made the switch back, my laptop felt much snappier!

[#11]

Potential risks of downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10：

• Data Loss: Any installation carries the risk of data loss. Incomplete backups may result in losing valuable files.
• Driver Issues: Some hardware may have updates specifically designed for Windows 11, which might lead to compatibility issues with Windows 10.
• User Settings: Certain user settings and configurations may be reverted to defaults, requiring you to reconfigure your system after the downgrade.

By following the steps carefully and ensuring you have a full backup, you can safely downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10.

[#12]

@DevinZhang If the 10-day window for downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 has passed, you will need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10. 

How to downgrade Windows 11 to 10 after 10 days:

Step 1: Visit the official Microsoft Windows 10 Download page here. Click on Download tool now under the "Create Windows 10 installation media" section.

Step 2:  Open the Media Creation Tool you just downloaded. Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC and click Next.

Step 3: Once the PC boots from the USB, the Windows Setup screen will appear. Select your language, time, and keyboard preferences, then click Next. Click Install Now.

After installation, Windows will automatically install most drivers, but you may need to download and install some manually from your device manufacturer’s website.

[#13]

From my own experience, I've gone through this process a couple of times. The first time I did it, I was nervous about losing my data, but I made sure to back everything up beforehand. After a clean install, it kind of felt like getting a new laptop! Everything was fresh, and Windows 10 just felt more familiar and comfortable.

I know the thought of a clean install can be daunting, but if you follow the steps closely and take the time to back up your data, you're in for a much better experience with Windows 10. Plus, it offers a lot of reliability and ease of use that many of us appreciate!

So yeah, I'd definitely say your plan is on point! Just prepare a bit before you dive in, and you should be good to go.

[#14]

@DevinZhang Backing up your data before downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is crucial to avoid losing important files during the clean installation process. Start by identifying the files, folders, and software settings that you want to preserve.

You can manually copy personal files, such as documents, photos, and videos, to an external hard drive or cloud storage services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. For a more comprehensive backup, consider using a built-in tool like Windows Backup or a third-party software that can create a full system image, which allows you to restore your system in case anything goes wrong.

After backup, then it is fine to start downgrading Windows 11 to 10 even after 10 days by installing Windows 10 over Windows 11 from a bootable USB.