How to Go Back to Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide for Reverting

By / October 14, 2025

If you recently upgraded to Windows 11 and found it’s not quite what you expected, don’t worry — you’re not alone. Many users miss the familiarity, compatibility, or performance of Windows 10 and want to roll back. The good news? You can go back to Windows 10 easily if you act within a certain time frame.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to revert to Windows 10 safely, explain what to expect before and after the process, and share essential tips to avoid data loss.

🧭 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

Topic Details
Purpose Revert from Windows 11 to Windows 10
Time Limit You can roll back within 10 days of upgrade
Methods 1. Using Settings → Recovery → Go Back
2. Clean installation of Windows 10
Backup Needed? Yes, always back up important files first
Result System returns to previous Windows 10 setup (with apps and settings intact if rollback is within 10 days)

Why Go Back to Windows 10?

Windows 11 introduces a sleek interface, centered taskbar, and performance optimizations. However, not everyone enjoys the change. Here are a few reasons why you might want to revert to Windows 10:

  • Software incompatibility – Older applications or drivers may not work properly on Windows 11.

  • Hardware issues – Some PCs experience slower performance or driver errors after upgrading.

  • Familiar interface – Many users prefer Windows 10’s layout and workflow.

  • Stability concerns – Windows 10 is mature, stable, and supported until October 2025.

If any of these sound familiar, rolling back could be the right move for you.

What Happens When You Roll Back to Windows 10?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s clarify what happens when you use the “Go Back” option:

  • Your system will revert to the previous Windows 10 installation.

  • Your personal files will stay intact, but always back up to be safe.

  • Apps installed after upgrading to Windows 11 will be removed.

  • Settings and preferences will go back to your old Windows 10 state.

  • You can only roll back within 10 days after upgrading — unless you manually extended this period.

Step 1: Check If You Can Still Go Back

To confirm if the rollback option is still available:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to System → Recovery.

  3. Under Recovery options, look for Go back.

If the option is available, you’ll see a button labeled “Go back”.
If it’s grayed out, you’ve likely passed the 10-day limit, and you’ll need to reinstall Windows 10 manually (we’ll cover that later).

Step 2: Back Up Your Important Files

Even though Windows 11’s rollback process is designed to keep your personal files, it’s always smart to back up in case something goes wrong.

You can back up in multiple ways:

Option 1: Use File History

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Backup.

  2. Click Add a drive and choose an external drive.

  3. Turn on Automatically back up my files.

Option 2: Use OneDrive

  1. Open OneDrive from the taskbar.

  2. Upload key folders like Documents, Pictures, and Desktop.

Option 3: Manual Backup

Simply copy your important files to:

  • An external USB drive

  • A network storage device (NAS)

  • Or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)

Step 3: Start the Rollback Process

Once you’ve confirmed that the rollback option is available and you’ve backed up your files, here’s how to go back to Windows 10:

  1. Open Settings using Windows + I.

  2. Navigate to System → Recovery.

  3. Under Recovery options, click Go back.

  4. Windows will ask “Why are you going back?” — select a reason and click Next.

  5. Choose whether to check for updates (you can skip this).

  6. Click Next again and read the warnings.

  7. Finally, click Go back to Windows 10.

Your computer will restart and begin restoring your previous Windows 10 version.
This process can take 15–45 minutes, depending on your system speed.

Step 4: Verify That You’re Back on Windows 10

After the process completes, your computer will boot into Windows 10. To confirm:

  1. Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter.

  2. A pop-up window will show your current Windows version — it should say Windows 10.

At this stage, your files and most apps (except those installed after upgrading) should be intact.

Step 5: Reinstall Missing Applications and Updates

After reverting, you might notice that some apps or drivers are missing or outdated. Here’s what to do:

Reinstall Removed Apps

  • Go to the Microsoft Store or use the installers you downloaded before.

  • Check your Downloads folder or installation backups for old setup files.

Update Drivers

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

  2. Right-click any device with a yellow warning icon and select Update driver.

Reinstall Windows Updates

  1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update.

  2. Click Check for updates to make sure you’re fully patched.

Step 6: Restore Your Files and Settings (If Needed)

If you created a backup earlier, restore your files now:

  • For File History, go to Control Panel → File History → Restore personal files.

  • For OneDrive, simply sign in again and let it sync.

  • For manual backups, copy your files back to their original folders.

Can You Go Back After 10 Days?

Unfortunately, no — the rollback feature is only available for 10 days after upgrading. After that, Windows deletes the old version’s files to free up space.

However, you still have an alternative: reinstall Windows 10 manually.

How to Reinstall Windows 10 (If Rollback Is Not Available)

If it’s been more than 10 days since you upgraded, here’s how to reinstall Windows 10 from scratch.

Step 1: Download Windows 10 ISO

  1. Visit the official Microsoft page: Windows 10 Download.

  2. Click Download tool now under “Create Windows 10 installation media.”

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive

  1. Plug in an 8GB or larger USB drive.

  2. Run the Media Creation Tool.

  3. Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive).

  4. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Step 3: Install Windows 10

  1. Restart your PC and press the Boot Menu key (usually F12, ESC, or DEL).

  2. Select your USB drive to boot from it.

  3. Choose Install Windows 10.

  4. When asked, select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

  5. Follow the setup wizard to finish installation.

After installation, you can restore your backed-up data.

How to Extend the Rollback Period Beyond 10 Days (Optional)

If you plan to test Windows 11 for a while but want the option to go back later, you can extend the rollback period manually before the 10 days expire.

Extend Using Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

  2. Type this command and press Enter:

    DISM /Online /Set-OSUninstallWindow /Value:60

    This extends the rollback window to 60 days.

To confirm, type:

DISM /Online /Get-OSUninstallWindow

Common Issues and Fixes When Going Back to Windows 10

Problem Possible Solution
“Go back” option missing Passed 10-day limit or deleted Windows.old folder. Use clean installation instead.
Rollback failed midway Ensure you have enough free disk space and stable power connection.
Missing files after rollback Restore from backup or check C:\Windows.old\Users folder.
Activation issues Connect to the internet; Windows 10 will auto-activate using your digital license.

Tips to Make Windows 10 Work Better After Rollback

  • Disable automatic upgrades to prevent Windows 11 from reinstalling.

    • Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Advanced options → Pause updates.

  • Run Disk Cleanup to remove leftover Windows 11 files.

  • Install the latest Windows 10 updates for better security.

  • Create a system image backup to simplify future recovery.

Alternatives to Rolling Back

If you’re unsure about reverting completely, you can still try:

  • Dual boot setup — Run Windows 10 and Windows 11 side by side.

  • Virtual machine — Test Windows 11 using VirtualBox or Hyper-V.

  • Customization tools — Make Windows 11 look and behave more like Windows 10 using tools like StartAllBack.

✅ Conclusion

Rolling back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 is a safe and reversible process — as long as you act quickly.

To recap:

  1. Check if the “Go back” option is available in Settings → Recovery.

  2. Back up your files before proceeding.

  3. Follow the rollback wizard carefully.

  4. If unavailable, reinstall Windows 10 manually using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.

Whether it’s for performance, compatibility, or comfort, you can return to Windows 10 confidently and continue using a familiar, stable system.

🔍 FAQs: How to Go Back to Windows 10

1. Can I go back to Windows 10 after 10 days?

No, the built-in rollback option only works within 10 days after upgrading. After that, you’ll need to reinstall Windows 10 manually.

2. Will I lose my files when I go back?

Your personal files should remain intact, but apps installed after upgrading to Windows 11 will be removed. Always back up before reverting.

3. How long does it take to revert to Windows 10?

The process usually takes 15–45 minutes, depending on your PC’s speed and storage.

4. Is Windows 10 still supported?

Yes, Microsoft will support Windows 10 with security updates until October 14, 2025.

5. How can I stop Windows 11 from reinstalling automatically?

Pause Windows updates or disable upgrade prompts in Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options.

🧩 Key Takeaways

  • Rollback is possible within 10 days after upgrade.

  • Always create a backup before reverting.

  • If rollback is unavailable, do a clean install of Windows 10.

  • Keep drivers and Windows updates current after rollback.

  • Windows 10 remains a stable and reliable OS until 2025.

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