Rolling Back from Windows 11 to Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

Want to revert from Windows 11 back to Windows 10? You’re in the right place! Our comprehensive guide will walk you through step-by-step instructions and expert tips to successfully rollback your operating system. Say goodbye to Windows 11 and welcome back Windows 10 hassle-free!

Rolling Back from Windows 11 to Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

Many users who decided to upgrade to Windows 11 are now worried about their chances to go back to the previous version of their operating system if they dislike Windows 11 – what if they have to reinstall their Windows 10 again? In fact, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Going back is quite possible, because files of the previous version of Windows are automatically saved to the folder Windows.old on your system disk while you are updating the system to Windows 11. However, you should remember that this folder will be automatically deleted in 10 days after the update. If you made a clean installation of Windows 11, this method will not work.

To roll back from Windows 11 to the previous version of the operating system, open Settings from the Start menu or by using the key shortcut Win + I.

Open “Settings” from the Start menu

In the section “System” go to the “Recovery” tab.

In the section “System” go to the “Recovery” tab

In the section “Recovery options”, click “Go back”. Give your reasons why you want to roll back from Windows 11 to Windows 10, or just click “For another reason”. Click “Next”.

In the section “Recovery options” click “Go back”

At the next stage, Microsoft will suggest checking for updates. Choose “No, thanks”.

Check for updates

After that, Microsoft warns you that your computer will not be available for some time while it is rolled back from Windows 11 to Windows 10. Click “Next”.

Your computer will not be available for some time while it is rolled back from Windows 11 to Windows 10

Make sure that you remember your password to sign in to Windows 10, and click “Next”. Finally, hit that button to “Go back to Windows 10”. Wait until Windows completes this process.

Hit the button to go back to Windows 10

When you have finally returned to the earlier build of Windows, your computer will boot back to Windows 10 with all your files, software and license keys – everything will remain the same and without changes.

This method to restore the previous version of Windows is available during 10 days after updating to Windows 11. When the 10-day period is over, the previous version of the operating system (in our case, Windows 10) can be restored only with a clean installation.

If you lost some files as a result of installing, reinstalling, updating or resetting Windows, you can bring them back with Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
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Step Description
Download and Installation Download and install Hetman Partition Recovery on your computer after reinstalling the operating system.
Disk Scanning Run the program, select the disk where the files were lost, and perform a deep scan.
Analyzing Results The program will show all found files. Review the scan results and find the necessary files.
File Recovery Select the files you need to recover and save them to another storage device or disk to prevent further loss.
Completion Ensure that all important files are successfully recovered and available for use.
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↘️ How to Get Back to Windows 10 After Updating Your Operating System to Windows 11 ↙️

↘️ How to Get Back to Windows 10 After Updating Your Operating System to Windows 11 ↙️

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • Which Windows 11 editions are available, and how much do they cost?

    On any PC with an appropriately licensed copy of Windows 10, the upgrade to Windows 11 is free. The lineup of Windows 11 editions is identical to those available for Windows 10, as are the suggested retail prices for corresponding Windows 11 editions.

  • Will Windows 11 run on a virtual machine?

    Yes, you can install Windows 11 on a virtual machine. In fact, you can create a virtual TPM on a Windows 11 virtual machine, which then will meet the hardware requirements of the new operating system.

    In Hyper-V hypervisor by Microsoft, you will only be restricted by the same CPU-related requirements that apply to installing this OS on a physical PC. With Oracle Virtual Box or VMware Workstation, you might be able to spoof that requirement.

  • Can I get back to Windows 10 after updating the operating system to Windows 11?

    Yes, you can. After you upgrade to Windows 11, there is a 10-day period when you still can return to Windows 10, keeping your files and data. As soon as the 10-days period expires, you will need to back up your data and run a clean installation to go back to Windows 10.

  • How long does it take to install Windows 11?

    Most likely, downloading and installing Windows 11 will take longer than just upgrading Windows 10 features. You can use your computer while Windows 11 is being downloaded, and then you can schedule the installation at your convenience, for example, for the night.

Comments (11)

  • Larry Marson
    Larry Marson 10.12.2021 21:57 #
    Is there a way to backup your data before starting the rollback process?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 10.12.2021 22:25 #
      Yes, it is recommended to backup your data before starting the rollback process. This can be done by creating a full system backup or making copies of important files and folders. Additionally, you may want to consider using a third-party backup tool to ensure that all data is backed up properly.
      Reply
  • Jackson Murrills
    Jackson Murrills 10.12.2021 18:02 #
    What are the potential risks associated with the rollback process?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 10.12.2021 18:32 #
      1. Data loss: Rolling back to a previous version of a system or application may result in data loss, as the newer version may have stored data that is not present in the older version.
      2. Compatibility issues: Rolling back to an older version may cause compatibility issues with other applications or systems that are dependent on the newer version.
      3. Security risks: Rolling back to an older version may introduce security vulnerabilities that have been addressed in the newer version.
      4. Performance degradation: Rolling back to an older version may cause a decrease in performance, as newer versions often include optimizations and bug fixes that improve performance.
      Reply
  • Forrest Hazelden
    Forrest Hazelden 10.12.2021 15:57 #
    Can the rollback process be done without the assistance of a professional?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 10.12.2021 16:26 #
      Yes, it is possible to roll back a process without the assistance of a professional. However, depending on the complexity of the process, it may be more efficient and effective to seek professional assistance.
      Reply
  • Randall Upchurch
    Randall Upchurch 10.12.2021 13:15 #
    Is it possible to rollback Windows 11 without losing personal data?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 10.12.2021 13:31 #
      No, it is not possible to rollback Windows 11 without losing personal data. Any time you rollback an operating system, you will lose any changes you have made since the rollback point. This includes any personal data or settings you have changed since the rollback point.
      Reply
  • Kenny Hyde-White
    Kenny Hyde-White 10.12.2021 09:14 #
    Can you downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, and if so, how?
    Reply
    • Hetman Software
      Hetman Software 10.12.2021 09:35 #
      Yes, you can downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10. To do so, you will need to first download the Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft. Once you have the installation media, you will need to boot your computer from the installation media, then follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10.
      Reply
  • Maxim Cherniga
    Maxim Cherniga 25.11.2021 14:27 #
    If you have any questions about rolling Windows 11 back to Windows 10, leave a comment to ask us.
    Reply
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