Microsoft is pushing everyone to upgrade from Windows 10 to… Windows 11 operating system With one continuous (and annoying) message after another.
Well, you might have taken the bait and upgraded. But now you’ve decided you liked Windows 10 better than 11 and you want to go back to your previous system. Is this possible?
It is, but there are bumps in the road depending on how quickly you pull the plug on Windows 11.
By default, Microsoft gives you 10 days to roll back to your previous operating system if you choose.
After those 10 days, it looks like you’re stuck with the new OS.
also: How to change your username in Windows 11
But until then, there are a couple of tricks to help you put the kibosh on Windows 11 and get back to 10. Let’s take a look at your options.
How to uninstall Windows 11 on your computer
Let’s say you upgraded to Windows 11 from 10, you want to go back to 10, and the 10-day deadline hasn’t passed yet. Easy enough. But before going back again, you’ll want to do a couple of things.
First, open File Explorer and go to your C: drive. Make sure you see a folder called Windows.old. This is an important folder, as it holds all the installation files for your previous version of Windows and is needed to pull down a downgrade.
Verify that the Windows.old folder exists. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
After that, a trip back in time should keep most of your apps, settings, and all your installed files. But get ready. Make sure you have the installation media or files for any important apps, so that you can reinstall them if necessary.
also: 4 Ways Windows Mistakes People for MacOS
Also, back up any important documents, photos, or other files (which you should be doing anyway). You can use Windows 11 File History, Microsoft OneDrive, or another tool or service to back up your files to a different location.
Now, let’s get rid of Windows 11. Go to Settings > Systems > Recovery. Under Recovery Options, click Counting button.
Click the Back button. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
The next window asks why you want to go back to Windows 10. Check your reasons or reasons and share any feedback you’d like with Microsoft. Then click “Next”.
Check the reason for the reduction. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
In an effort to convince you to stay, Microsoft suggests downloading the latest updates. Stay strong and just click no thanks.
Next, Microsoft warns you that you will have to reinstall some apps and programs and that you will lose any changes you’ve made since upgrading to Windows 11. Click Next. Finally, click the For button Go back to Windows 10.
Click the Go back to Windows 10 button. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
After the task is completed, sign in to Windows and you will find Windows 10 in place.
also: How to connect a VPN in Windows 10
Check your Start menu, File Explorer, and other items to see if there are any missing apps or files that you might need to reinstall or restore. Go through the main settings to decide if you want to modify or customize any of them.
Deadline extension
The annoying 10-day deadline for uninstalling Windows 11 seems too tight. What if you want more time to rate the new version? Well, you can extend that deadline with a handy command.
In Windows 11, click the Search button or the field and type poultice. From the search results, select Run as administrator To open a command prompt with administrative rights.
also: How to factory reset your Windows 10 computer
At the command prompt, type the following string: DISM / Online / Get-OSUninstallWindow. The number after the Uninstall Window statement tells you how many days are left in the deadline.
To extend the deadline, type the following string: DISM / online / Set-OSUninstallWindow / value: <أيام>with replacement
Press the up arrow key to view a file DISM / Online / Get-OSUninstallWindow Command. Press Enter to run the command again and make sure that the new number of days you set is now in effect.
Confirm the new deadline. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
How to uninstall Windows 11 after the deadline
OK, but what if the deadline has already passed and you’re about to get rid of Windows 11? The good news is that you can still do this. The bad news is that you will have to install Windows 10 as a clean environment, which means losing all your apps, files, and settings.
also: Yes, you can still get a free Windows 10 upgrade. Here’s how
Make sure you have the installation files for your apps and backup copies of all your documents and other files. To continue, browse to the file Microsoft Download Windows 10 site. In the Create Windows 10 installation media section, click Download now button.
Download the Media Creation Toolkit. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
Run the downloaded MediaCreationTool exe file. On the screen that asks what you want to do, select the first option for Upgrade this computer now. Click {Next.
Windows 10 begins downloading. At some point, you’ll need to accept the license terms. Then a window pops up asking you to choose what you want to keep.
Unfortunately, since you’re trying to install an older version of Windows, Options Keep personal files and apps And keep personal files only Both are greyed out, which means nothing will be preserved. Click Next and confirm that you want to continue.
In the Ready to Install window, click Install.
Proceed with the installation. Screenshot of Lance Whitney
Allow the installation to continue. After installing Windows 10, go through the usual setup process to select the correct options, connect to Wi-Fi, and create your account.
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You will then be deposited on the Windows 10 desktop where you will need to reinstall your apps, restore files from a backup, modify any settings you want to customize, and run the latest updates.