How to Go Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11 Without Losing Data

Upgraded your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 but decided you preferred the previous version? If Windows 11 is causing compatibility problems, affecting the way you work, or you simply prefer the familiar Windows 10 interface, you can go back to Windows 10 using the built-in Go back recovery option. Windows keeps the files needed to return to your previous version for a limited time. In most cases, the Go back option is available for 10 days after the upgrade, and it can restore your previous Windows installation while keeping your personal files. If the Go back option is no longer available, you’ll generally need to back up your files and reinstall Windows 10.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to go back to Windows 10 from Windows 11, what happens to your files and apps during the rollback, and what you can do if the 10-day rollback period has already expired.

Before You Go Back to Windows 10

Before starting the rollback, it is a good idea to back up your important files. Although Windows’ Go back feature is designed to keep your personal files, having a backup gives you an extra layer of protection if something goes wrong during the process. Microsoft also recommends backing up important data before using recovery options.

Also, keep these points in mind:

• The Go back option is normally available for only 10 days after upgrading to Windows 11.
• Your personal files should remain intact when you use Go back.
• Apps and drivers that you installed after upgrading to Windows 11 may be removed.
• Settings changes made after the upgrade may also be lost.
• Windows needs the previous installation files, including the Windows.old folder, to perform the rollback. If those files have been removed, the option may no longer be available.

Important: Do not manually delete Previous version of Windows or the Windows.old folder if you are still considering going back. Those files are what allow Windows to restore your previous installation. Microsoft automatically removes the previous Windows installation after the rollback period expires.

Once you have backed up your important data, you can check whether the Go back option is still available.

How to Go Back to Windows 10 from Windows 11

If you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 recently and the rollback files are still available, you can return to Windows 10 directly from Windows 11 Settings.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click System and Select Recovery.
3. Under Recovery options, look for Go back.
4. Click Go back if the option is available.

If you don’t see Go back, don’t worry yet. It usually means the rollback period has expired or the files required for the rollback are no longer available. We’ll cover what you can do in that situation later in this guide.

If Go back is available, continue with the following steps.

Complete the Windows 10 Rollback

After you click Go back, Windows will ask why you want to return to the previous version. You can select the reason that best matches your situation and then continue.

You may see a few screens with information about the rollback. Read these before proceeding because Windows will remind you that apps, drivers, and settings changed after the upgrade may be affected.

Microsoft confirms that the rollback is designed to keep your personal files, while removing apps and drivers installed after the upgrade and reverting related settings changes.

Follow these steps:

1. Select a reason for going back to Windows 10 and click Next.
2. Windows may offer to check for updates that could resolve the problem. If you still want to return to Windows 10, select No, thanks.
3. Read the information about what will happen during the rollback and click Next.
4. Windows may remind you to make sure you know your Windows login password. Make sure you have it available before continuing.
5. Click Go back to Windows 10 or Go back to the earlier build, depending on the version of Windows 11 you are using.

Your computer will restart and begin restoring the previous Windows installation. The process can take some time, so do not turn off the PC or force a restart while Windows is working.

When the rollback finishes, Windows should start again with your previous Windows 10 installation. Your personal files should still be available, but applications or drivers installed after the Windows 11 upgrade may need to be installed again.

What if the “Go back” option is missing?

If Go back is not shown under Settings > System > Recovery, the normal rollback is no longer available. This usually happens because the 10-day rollback period has expired or the files required for the previous installation have been removed. Microsoft notes that the previous Windows installation is automatically deleted 10 days after an upgrade.

In that situation, don’t use Reset this PC expecting it to restore Windows 10. Reset reinstalls the current version of Windows rather than returning an upgraded Windows 11 installation to Windows 10. Instead, if you still want Windows 10, you’ll need to consider reinstalling it using Windows 10 installation media.

How to Go Back to Windows 10 After 10 Days

If the Go back option is no longer available because more than 10 days have passed since you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, you cannot normally use the built-in rollback feature.

In this situation, going back to Windows 10 requires reinstalling Windows 10 using installation media. Unlike the built-in rollback, a clean installation can remove your files, apps, and settings from the Windows installation drive, so back up your important data before you begin.

You will need:

• A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage
• A working PC with an internet connection to create the installation media
• A backup of your personal files
• Your Windows 10 edition information, such as Home or Pro

Create a Windows 10 Installation USB

Microsoft provides installation media that can be used to create a bootable Windows 10 USB drive. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official software download page.

After downloading the tool:

• Connect the USB flash drive to the PC.
• Run the Media Creation Tool.
• Accept the applicable license terms.
• Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.

• Click Next.
• Choose the language, Windows 10 edition, and architecture you want to install.
• Select USB flash drive.

• Choose your USB drive from the list.
• Click Next and allow the tool to download the Windows 10 installation files and create the bootable USB.

Warning: The USB drive will be erased when the installation media is created, so don’t use a drive containing files you want to keep.

Once the bootable USB is ready, safely remove it, then connect it to the Windows 11 PC you want to return to Windows 10. The next step is to boot the PC from the USB and start Windows 10 Setup.

Boot Windows 11 PC From the Windows 10 USB

Once you have created the Windows 10 installation USB, connect it to the PC where you want to reinstall Windows 10.

• Restart your PC with the Windows 10 USB connected.
• Open the boot menu while the computer is starting. The key varies by manufacturer and may be F12, F9, F11, Esc, or another key.
• Select the USB flash drive from the boot options.
• When Windows Setup appears, select your language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout, then click Next.
• Click Install now.

• If Windows asks for a product key, enter it if you have one. If Windows 10 was previously activated on this PC and you are reinstalling the same edition, you can usually select I don’t have a product key and activate Windows after installation.
• Accept the license terms and click Next.
• When asked which type of installation you want, select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).

You will then reach the screen asking Where do you want to install Windows?

Be Careful When Selecting the Installation Drive

This is the point where you need to be especially careful. A clean installation can remove the existing Windows installation, applications, settings, and personal files.

Do not delete or format partitions until you are certain that your important files have been backed up.

Select the partition where you want Windows 10 installed and continue with the installation. If you are intentionally performing a completely clean installation and have already backed up everything, you can remove the existing Windows partitions and install Windows 10 into the resulting unallocated space. The exact partition layout varies between PCs, so avoid deleting partitions simply because they are listed on the screen.

Windows Setup will copy the installation files and restart the computer several times. Do not turn off the PC while Windows is being installed.

After the installation finishes, follow the on-screen instructions to complete Windows 10 setup, connect to the internet, install the required drivers, and restore your backed-up files.

Important: This method is different from the earlier Go back option. The built-in rollback is intended to return you to the previous Windows installation, whereas reinstalling Windows 10 after the rollback period has expired is a new Windows installation and requires you to restore your files and reinstall your applications.

What Happens to Your Files and Apps When You Go Back?

If you use the built-in Go back option, Windows is designed to restore the previous Windows installation rather than perform a fresh installation. Your personal files should remain in place, but the rollback can undo changes made after the upgrade.

Here is what you should expect:

• Personal files: Your documents, pictures, videos, and other personal files should remain.
• Apps installed after upgrading: Applications you installed after moving to Windows 11 may be removed.
• Drivers: Drivers installed or updated after the upgrade may be reverted.
• Settings: Some settings changes made in Windows 11 may not remain after the rollback.
• Windows 10 settings: Settings from your previous Windows 10 installation are restored as part of the rollback.

After Windows 10 starts again, check your important files and make sure your commonly used applications and hardware are working correctly. You may need to reinstall some applications or drivers that were added after the upgrade.

If the rollback fails or Windows does not start normally afterward, use the Windows Recovery Environment and its available recovery options rather than repeatedly forcing the computer to shut down. Microsoft provides several recovery methods for situations where Windows does not start correctly. (support.microsoft.com)

One Important Thing to Know in 2026

If you are following this guide because you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 several years ago, the built-in Go back option will no longer be available. The 10-day rollback period is intended for a recent upgrade.

Also keep in mind that Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Returning to Windows 10 may therefore leave the PC without Microsoft’s normal security updates and support. If you have a specific reason for staying on Windows 10, check Microsoft’s current support and Extended Security Updates options before making the switch.

What to Do After Reinstalling Windows 10

Once Windows 10 has been reinstalled, there are a few important things to do before you start using the PC normally.

1. Connect to the Internet and Activate Windows

Connect your PC to the internet and allow Windows to check its activation status. If Windows 10 was previously activated on the same device, activation will generally occur automatically when you install the same edition.

You can check the status by going to:

Settings > Update & Security > Activation

If Windows is not activated, make sure you installed the same edition you were previously licensed for, such as Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.

2. Install Windows Updates

Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for available updates. Install the updates offered to your PC and restart when required.

3. Install Missing Drivers

Check Device Manager for devices showing a warning icon. If necessary, download compatible Windows 10 drivers from your computer manufacturer’s website.

Pay particular attention to:

• Graphics drivers
• Wi-Fi and network drivers
• Audio drivers
• Chipset drivers
• Touchpad or keyboard drivers

4. Reinstall Your Applications

A clean Windows 10 installation does not restore the applications from your previous Windows installation. Reinstall the programs you regularly use and sign in to your accounts where necessary.

5. Restore Your Personal Files

Finally, copy your documents, pictures, videos, downloads, and other backed-up data back to the appropriate folders.

If you used the Go back option instead of performing a clean installation, you generally won’t need to restore your personal files because the rollback is designed to preserve them. The clean-install method is different and requires you to restore your data from your backup.

Frequently Asked Questions