How to Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10

Method 1: Rollback Within 10 Days (Easiest Method)

If you upgraded to Windows 11 recently and it has been less than 10 days, you can roll back easily using the built-in recovery option.

Steps:

1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.

2. Navigate to System > Recovery.

3. Under the Recovery options section, click Go back.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions and select a reason for downgrading.

5. Click Next, then Go back to Windows 10.

6. Your PC will restart, and Windows 10 will be restored.

🚨 Important: This option is only available if you haven’t deleted the Windows.old folder and it’s been less than 10 days since you upgraded.

Method 2: Clean Install Windows 10 (For Downgrading After 10 Days)

If it has been more than 10 days, or you performed a fresh install of Windows 11, you’ll need to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

Steps:

1. Download Windows 10 ISO:

   • Go to Microsoft’s Windows 10 Download page.

   • Select Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO) and download the 64-bit version.

2. Create a Bootable USB Drive:

   • Download and run Rufus or Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.

   • Insert a USB drive (8GB or larger) and select the Windows 10 ISO file.

   • Click Start to create a bootable USB.

3. Backup Your Files:

   • Copy important files to an external drive or cloud storage.

4. Boot from USB & Install Windows 10:

   • Restart your PC and press F12, F2, or Del (depending on your system) to access the Boot Menu.

   • Select the USB drive and press Enter.

   • Follow the installation steps and choose Custom Installation.

   • Format your current drive and install Windows 10.

Method 3: Using Developer Tools to Download Windows 10 ISO Directly

If the Media Creation Tool isn’t working, you can use Developer Tools to download the Windows 10 ISO directly from Microsoft.

Steps:

1. Open Microsoft’s Download Page:

   • Visit Windows 10 Download Page.

2. Enable Developer Tools:

   • Open Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox.

   • Press F12 to open Developer Tools.

   • Press Ctrl + Shift + M to enable Mobile View.

   • Select a mobile device (e.g., iPhone 12 Pro, iPad) from the dropdown.

3. Reload the Page:

   • Press F5 to refresh the page.

   • The website will now show a direct download option instead of the Media Creation Tool.

4. Select Windows 10 ISO:

   • Choose Windows 10 (multi-edition ISO).

   • Click Confirm.

   • Select your preferred language and click Confirm.

   • Click 64-bit Download to start downloading.

Method 4: Contacting Your PC Manufacturer

Some laptops and desktops come with factory recovery partitions. You can check with your manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) to see if they provide a way to restore Windows 10.

Final Thoughts

Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is possible, but the method depends on when you upgraded. If you act within 10 days, rolling back is simple. Otherwise, a clean install is necessary. Always backup your important data before making major system changes.