Downgrade Windows 11 To Windows 10

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Created on September 10, 2021 Forum Article Info

MVP Article Author
Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 Last updated January 29, 2024
Technical Level: Intermediate. Views 1,864,781

Applies to: All Windows 11 editions.
Revision: 8.0. Applies to:
Summary: Windows 11 is the modern operating system from Microsoft released on October 5th, / /
2021. If your Windows 10 running system meets minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11,
you’ll be offered update to Windows 11. Also, you can configure Windows Insider settings and
update to Windows 11 via Windows Update, as per Andre’s guide. Also, you can upgrade Windows
10 to Windows 11 using ISO file, as mentioned in this guide.
After upgrade to Windows 11, if you realize that your system is not working correctly, or some of
the crucial features you need are not working as expected, and troubleshooting didn’t helped you,
you might want to go back to Windows 10. In that situation, this guide will help you to downgrade
from Windows 11 to Windows 10. Note that Windows 10 is supported by Microsoft through 14
October, 2025.
Note (26/10/2022): This guide was originally illustrated with Windows 11 22H1 and is also valid, if
you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 22H2 (Windows 11 2022 Update) directly.
Requirements for downgrade: Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is subject to fulfil

some requirements. Here are they:
You can only downgrade to Windows 10 within the 10 days of your upgrade. For example, if
you upgraded to Windows 11 on 1 Sept, 2021, then you can downgrade within 10 days. If
you want to downgrade on 25 Sept, 2021, you can’t.
Previous Windows version files, typically Windows.old folder and other required files should
be present on your system.
If above requirements are not meet, you can’t go back to Windows 10. In that case, for going back
to Windows 10, you need to make clean install.
Preparing for downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10: Note that you must backup files
you created after upgrade to Windows 11 because the downgrade process may remove them.
Additionally, the programs you installed and settings you configured after Windows 11 upgrade,
will need to be reinstalled and reconfigured, respectively. For downgrade process to be successful,
make sure you remain your system turned on. Let it connected to AC power source, in case if it is
low on battery.
Steps for downgrade: Here’s how you can downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10:
1. Open Settings app on your Windows 11, go to System > Recovery. Under Recovery options,
click Go back.
Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 - Microsoft Community https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/downgrade-from-windows-11-to-windows-...
2. Now Go back to Windows 10 screen should appear. Under Why are you going back, select a
reason and click Next.
3. In next screen, select Check for updates. If that doesn’t works, click No thanks.
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4. Under What you need to know, make sure you go through this information completely. When
you’re ready, click Next.
5. As per the next screen, make sure you remember Windows 10 password so that you don’t get
locked out. Click Next to proceed.
6. Finally, click on Go back to Windows 10.
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7. Your system will now restart.
8. After restart, you’ll see Attempting to recover installation.
9. In few moments, you’ll see Restoring your previous version of Windows. This will take time
depending upon your system and data being restored.
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10. After this, your system will restart and this time you’ll see Windows 10 boot screen.
11. Then in next few moments, you should be able to login to your Windows 10.
12. After login, you can check your Windows 10 version by running winver command.
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This completes the downgrade process from Windows 11 to Windows 10.
Video demonstration: If you need help with above steps and live illustration, you can refer this
video guide:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhEHDXObBdI
Click to Start Flash Emulator
Going back to earlier build in Windows 11: If you want to go back to earlier build in Windows
11 itself, you can refer this video guide in that case:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFhx0fg28Kk
Click to Start Flash Emulator
That’s it!
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Comments (473)
1 2 3 4 5 ... 48
SunilSingh80
Replied on October 27, 2021
Report abuse
Hi
I am facing an issues after upgrading to windows 11 from Windows 10, now i want to
degrade to windows 10, after 10 day, so what should I do. should i download fresh
windows 10 ? and also update me whether i can use the same product key which was
in windows 10 or do i need to buy new product key?
Comment
317 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?
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Kapil Arya MVP

MVP | Article Author
Replied on October 29, 2021
Report abuse
In reply to SunilSingh80's post on October 27, 2021
After 10 days, you need to make clean install. You can use same product key to
activate Windows 10.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft MVP (Windows IT Pro), since 2014 · Windows Insider MVP, since 2016 · Windows Help
(www.kapilarya.com)
Comment

Yes No
Agustin Perez G
Replied on November 11, 2021
Report abuse
How to downgrade to Windows 10 for a new computer with Windows 11?
Comment
Yes No
ShloimeStauber
Report abuse
can I downgrade from windows 11 home to windows 10 pro?
14 of 17 30.01.2024, 10:16 AM
Comment

Yes
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Kapil Arya MVP

Report abuse
In reply to ShloimeStauber's post on November 11, 2021
Windows 11 Pro to Home is not a valid downgrade path. You need to make clean
install of Windows 11 Home.
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(www.kapilarya.com)
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A. User
Replied on December 1, 2021
Report abuse
after 10 days of installation of windows 11, if downgrade to windows 10 deletes

everything from all drives or clean only from C drive?
Comment
15 of 17 30.01.2024, 10:16 AM
20 people found this comment helpful Was this comment helpful?

Yes No
Kapil Arya MVP

Report abuse
In reply to A. User's post on December 1, 2021
After 10 days, you can't downgrade as option won't be available. You need to make
clean install then, which is done by formatting the drive:
https://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-make-clean-install-of-windows-10
Note: Included link in this reply refers to blog post by a trusted Microsoft MVP.
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CaribbeanLock
Report abuse
It has only been six days and I'm not seeing recover > go back option. Its not listed.
please help. I was attempting to upgrade to windows 11 pro and somehow ended up
with enterprise and now I can't get it activated.
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Joe13 B-) 2.0

Report abuse
In reply to CaribbeanLock's post on December 6, 2021
If you want to stay with Windows 11 but the Pro version, please enter this key in
Windows 11 activation settings page:
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
It's easy to ride down a hill while it's hard to climb the hill back up.
Like that, it's easy to malfunction a computer while it's hard to fix it.
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Community

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Created on September 10, 2021 Forum Article Info

Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 Last updated January 29, 2024

Technical Level: Intermediate. Views 1,864,781

Requirements for downgrade: Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is subject to fulfil

6. Finally, click on Go back to Windows 10.

7. Your system will now restart.

8. After restart, you’ll see Attempting to recover installation.

This completes the downgrade process from Windows 11 to Windows 10.

Click to Start Flash Emulator

Click to Start Flash Emulator

330 people found this helpful Subscribe

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Kapil Arya MVP

In reply to SunilSingh80's post on October 27, 2021

65 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?

How to downgrade to Windows 10 for a new computer with Windows 11?

can I downgrade from windows 11 home to windows 10 pro?

can I downgrade from windows 11 home to windows 10 pro?

26 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?

How to downgrade to Windows 10 for a new

Sitemap Contact Microsoft Privacy Manage cookies Terms of Use

12 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?

Kapil Arya MVP

In reply to ShloimeStauber's post on November 11, 2021

can I downgrade from windows 11 home to windows 10 pro?

after 10 days of installation of windows 11, if downgrade to windows 10 deletes

20 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?

20 people found this comment helpful Was this comment helpful?

Kapil Arya MVP

In reply to A. User's post on December 1, 2021

34 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?

Joe13 B-) 2.0

In reply to CaribbeanLock's post on December 6, 2021

32 people found this comment helpful · Was this comment helpful?

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