How to Go Back to Windows 10 Without Losing Data?

Upgrading to a newer version of Windows, like Windows 11, might seem appealing, but some users may find they prefer the familiarity or performance of Windows 10. If you’ve recently upgraded to a newer version of Windows but want to go back to Windows 10 without losing your data, you can do so within a specific time frame after the upgrade. This guide will walk you through the process of downgrading to Windows 10 without losing your important files.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Check If Downgrading is Possible

Before proceeding with the downgrade, ensure you’re within the 10-day rollback period allowed by Microsoft. After upgrading to Windows 11 or a newer version, Windows provides a 10-day window during which you can revert to Windows 10 without losing your files. Once this period expires, Windows removes the old installation files, making it impossible to roll back without a fresh installation.

Check the Time Frame:

Click on the Start Menu and go to Settings.
Navigate to System > About.
Under the Windows specifications section, check for the Installation date. Ensure that it’s within 10 days of the upgrade.

Step 2: Backup Your Important Files (Optional but Recommended)

Though the rollback process should preserve your files, it’s always a good idea to back up your important data before proceeding. This ensures you won’t lose any files in case something goes wrong during the process.

Ways to Back Up:

Use File History to create a backup of documents, pictures, and other personal files.
Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
Create a system image backup using the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) feature in Control Panel.

Step 3: Begin the Rollback Process

If you’re within the 10-day window and have backed up your data, you can begin the rollback process to Windows 10.

Steps to Roll Back:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I.
Go to System > Recovery.
Under Go back to Windows 10 (or the previous version), click on the Go Back button.
Choose the reason why you want to revert to Windows 10 from the provided options.
Click Next and follow the on-screen prompts.
Finally, you’ll be asked if you’d like to check for updates before downgrading. Choose No thanks if you want to stick with Windows 10, or Yes to check for any last-minute updates.
Click Next and follow the rest of the prompts to start the rollback process.

Important Notes:

Don’t disconnect your PC during the rollback. The process will take some time, and the computer will restart several times.
You may be prompted to reinstall some apps after the rollback, as some apps installed on the newer version may not be compatible with Windows 10.

Step 4: Wait for the Rollback Process to Complete

Once you’ve clicked through the prompts, your computer will begin the process of reverting to Windows 10. This may take some time, depending on your system and the amount of data involved.

During the rollback, your PC will restart multiple times. Don’t interrupt the process, and allow it to finish. Once the rollback is complete, you should be back on Windows 10 without losing any of your personal files or data.

Step 5: Verify Your Data and System Settings

After the rollback is complete, you should verify that everything is working as expected.

Check your files: Go through your documents, pictures, videos, and other important files to make sure they are intact.
Reinstall Apps: You may need to reinstall some applications that were installed after the upgrade to Windows 11 or another version.
Reconfigure Settings: Your system settings should revert to their previous configuration, but you may want to check for any changes and make sure everything is how you left it.

Step 6: Optional – Create a System Backup

Now that you’re back on Windows 10, it’s a good idea to create a system backup, just in case you decide to upgrade again in the future. You can create a system image or use File History to back up your files.

Step 7: What If the 10-Day Period Has Passed?

If the 10-day rollback window has passed, you won’t be able to directly downgrade using the built-in “Go Back” option. However, you can still revert to Windows 10, though it will require a clean installation.

Steps for Clean Installation:

Back up your files: Since this process will erase your current system, back up all important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
Download Windows 10: Go to the Microsoft Download Center and download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
Create Installation Media: Follow the on-screen instructions to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 installation files.
Install Windows 10: Boot your computer from the USB drive and perform a clean installation of Windows 10. During the installation, select the partition where Windows is currently installed, and format it (this will erase your current OS).
Restore Your Files: After installation, you can restore your files from your backup.

Note that this process will wipe your system, so make sure to back up everything first.

Conclusion

If you’ve recently upgraded to a newer version of Windows but want to return to Windows 10, the built-in rollback feature is a simple and effective way to do so within the 10-day window. By following these steps, you can easily downgrade without losing your data. However, if the 10-day window has passed, a clean installation of Windows 10 is the next best option, though it will require backing up your files beforehand.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to keep backups of your important data to prevent any accidental loss during system changes.