So you downloaded Windows 10, tried its new features, but realized it’s not the right operating system for you. What to do now? Well, you can always downgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 7 or any other Windows version. If you need help getting back to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, here’s a guide to help you get there.
Windows 10 is here, but maybe you shouldn’t upgrade just yet
Depending on how you upgraded to Windows 10, your options for downgrading to Windows 8.1 or earlier may vary for your computer. Below you’ll find all the different ways to upgrade to Windows 10, as well as the corresponding procedures for downgrading to an earlier version of Windows. Choose the correct option for your computer and follow the steps. But before you get started, make sure you save all your important files on a flash drive (or hard drive) or to an online storage service like Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive.
You used Windows Update to upgrade from Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to Windows 10
If you upgraded your Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 computers to Windows 10 via Windows Update within the past 30 days, the company is giving you the option to quickly roll back to the older version.
If you use this method, you should be able to do an “in-place” downgrade, which means all your data should remain intact. However, we still strongly recommend that you back up all your data, including pictures and work-related content, to an external drive before downgrading.
- Open start menuthen search and open set up.
- In the Settings app, find and select Updated and secure.
- choose recover.
- choose Return to Windows 7 or Return to Windows 8.1.
- choose Get started button and it will restore your computer to an older version.
During the transition period, Microsoft will also ask you for your reasons for switching back to Windows 7 / Windows 8.1. You can choose any of the reasons above, or provide feedback. When finished, click Next button.
(See also: How to make a bootable USB drive for Windows 10)
If it has been more than 30 days since you upgraded your computer to a new operating system, the above procedure is not suitable for you. This is because Microsoft saves all important data from previous operating systems in a folder on your hard drive called “Windows.old”. After the 30-day period, the data will be deleted to free up space.
These users now need to manually wipe the Windows 10 operating system from their hard drive and install Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 on it. Here’s how you can do it.
You did a clean install (using a DVD/thumb drive) to update to Windows 10 (or Windows 10 Technical Preview)
If you have a fresh installation of Windows 10, or it has been more than 30 days since you upgraded to Windows 10, or you just want to start over, you can always use the following methods to install Windows 10. Make sure to back up all before starting your data, as doing a clean install involves deleting/formatting the partition, which means you will lose everything on that drive.
Note that while we talk about downgrading your Windows 10 installation to Windows 7/ Windows 8/ Windows 8.1, you can also use this method to revert to Windows XP if you really want to do that.
- Locate the Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 bootable DVD or disk. If you don’t have one, follow the steps below to make a bootable disk for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
- Insert the Windows 7/Windows 8/8.1 disc into the DVD/USB drive and restart/switch computers.
- You need to make sure to change the startup process. This is because you do not want the system to boot from the hard drive (the default boot arrangement), but from a DVD or USB drive. Depending on your motherboard manufacturer, the keys to change the boot menu may be different. Usually F2, F8 or F9. You can also change it by going into BIOS settings.
- When you are asked to press a key to enable booting from a DVD or USB drive, press any key.
- On the following Install Windows screen, select your preferred language, time and time zone, and keyboard or input method. When finished, click Next button.
- In the following screen, you will be asked to choose between upgrade and customization options. If you are upgrading from Windows XP or any older version to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you will select the Upgrade button. In this case we need to choose custom options.
Perform the remaining setup steps, including formatting the partition containing the existing Windows 10 installation. Please note that if you choose to delete or format the partition, you will Lose all data on it Not just Windows 10 system files. Make sure you have backed up all your data as we reminded you at the beginning.
(See also: Windows 10 review: new, yet familiar)
Once you’ve completed the setup – please note that you will need to activate your copy of Windows again – you will have a fresh installation of Windows, and may need to install the drivers that came with your system to ensure everything works as expected. Copy data back from backup – Of course we hope you have a backup of your data (this cannot be emphasized enough).
How was your experience downgrading from Windows 10 to an older version of Windows? Let us know in the comments. For more tutorials, visit our how-to section.