If you upgraded to Windows 11 in the last 10 days, you can downgrade to Windows 10 in Settings > System > Recovery > Go back. Your files and most apps stay in place. After 10 days, the Go back option disappears, and the only way back is a clean install of Windows 10 from a USB drive, which erases the drive, so back up first.
Before you downgrade, know this: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Home users can get security updates only through the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, and Microsoft says the consumer ESU runs until October 12, 2027. After that, Windows 10 home PCs get no more security fixes. For most people, staying on Windows 11 and fixing what you dislike about it is the safer choice.
Which downgrade method can you use?
| Situation | Method | Keeps your files? |
|---|---|---|
| Upgraded within the last 10 days, and the Windows.old folder is still there | Go back in Settings | Yes (back up anyway) |
| More than 10 days, or you ran Disk Cleanup | Clean install of Windows 10 | No, everything on the drive is erased |
| PC came with Windows 11 | Clean install (drivers may be limited) | No |
Before you start
- Back up your files to an external drive or OneDrive, even if you use Go back.
- Know your password. After going back, you need the password you used on Windows 10.
- Save your BitLocker recovery key if your drive is encrypted.
- Plug in your laptop. The process can take an hour or more.
Method 1: Go back to Windows 10 within 10 days
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Go to System > Recovery.
- Next to Go back, click Go back.
- Pick a reason, click Next, and click No, thanks when asked to check for updates.
- Read the warnings, click Next twice, then click Go back to Windows 10.
Your PC restarts and restores Windows 10. Apps you installed after upgrading and settings you changed in Windows 11 will be lost.
If the button is grayed out or reads “This option is no longer available on this PC,” the 10 days have passed or the Windows.old folder was deleted. Use Method 2.
Want more time to decide?
Within the 10 days, you can extend the window to up to 60 days. Open Terminal (Admin) and run DISM /Online /Set-OSUninstallWindow /Value:60. It won’t work once the window has already closed.
Method 2: Clean install Windows 10 after 10 days
- Back up all your files and note the apps you’ll need to reinstall.
- On a working PC, go to Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 page and download the Media Creation Tool, if Microsoft still offers it. Use it to create a bootable USB drive (8 GB or larger).
- Plug the USB drive into your PC and restart. Press the boot menu key, often F12, F11, F9, or Esc, and choose the USB drive.
- Choose your language and click Install now.
- When asked for a product key, click I don’t have a product key. Pick the same edition you had, like Home or Pro.
- Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced), delete the existing partitions on your main drive, select the unallocated space, and click Next.
- Finish setup, then install drivers from your PC manufacturer’s website and restore your files.
Windows 10 usually activates on its own if your PC had a valid Windows 10 or Windows 11 license of the same edition. Newer PCs that shipped with Windows 11 might not have Windows 10 drivers for every component, so check your manufacturer’s support page first.
Staying safe on Windows 10
- Enroll in Extended Security Updates in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, if the option is still available. Microsoft offered it free with Windows Backup sync, for Microsoft Rewards points, or for a one-time fee.
- Keep your browser and apps updated. Many browsers support Windows 10 for a while after Windows itself stops getting updates, but not forever.
- Plan your next step. When ESU ends, upgrade to Windows 11 if your PC supports it, or consider a newer PC.
Don’t like Windows 11? Try these fixes first
- Move the Start button to the left: Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors > Taskbar alignment > Left.
- Get the full right-click menu with Shift + F10, or click Show more options.
- Turn off widgets, recommendations, and ads in Settings > Personalization > Start and Taskbar.
- If an app or device doesn’t work, check the manufacturer’s site for an updated version or driver.
Changed your mind again later? Here’s how to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my files if I go back to Windows 10?
Using Go back within 10 days keeps your personal files. A clean install erases everything on the drive, so back up first.
Is it free to downgrade to Windows 10?
Yes. You don’t need to buy a new license if your PC had a valid license for the same edition.
Can I downgrade a PC that came with Windows 11?
Usually, with a clean install. The Windows 11 license typically activates Windows 10, but drivers may be missing for newer hardware.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.