Hi everyone. I'm currently running Windows 10 Home build-2004 but I find it pretty buggy on my system so would like to revert to build-1909. Unfortunately the 1909 ISO is no longer available on the Microsoft website. Can anybody advise what is the best route to take? I don't have any backups.
Thanks.
Hi see if this helps you out. Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows in Windows 10
Thanks, I now have the 1909 build. Unfortunately I no longer have access to the Windows.old and $windows.~bt folders nor do I have any backup. Am I condemned to a clean install of Windows 10 1909? Or is there any way for me to revert with all my files in tact?
Unfortunately no. The only way to downgrade to an earlier version of Windows 10 is a clean install. You will loose all your installed apps and your user files too.
How 'buggy' is your 2004? If you want to keep your installed apps it may be more practical to try sticking with it. There will be the regular monthly cumulative update next week, expected on Tuesday 14th July, usually issued at 6:00pm UK time. If that doesn't fix your issues, then there may be workarounds we could suggest.
Largely for future reference- and yet another plug for disk imaging:
If you ever need to download old iso's the means is now in the tutorial:
Download Windows 10 ISO File
The Tutorial section is a great resource.
To protect yourself, your Windows and your data and give yourself a second chance, time and again routine disk imaging is recommended e.g. Macrium Reflect (free + paid) + large enough external storage for image files.
If you had been doing this- and a good approach is to create a disk image before upgrading- you could have restored a disk image of your 1909 build without technical help.
Note the reversion period in which 'Go back to previous' is allowed is configurable- up to 60 days:
Set Number of Days can Go Back to Previous Version of Windows
My main issue is the constant mouse freezes and keyboard issues. I use a jelly comb WGJP-019 wireless mouse & keyboard and after a while they begin to lag / freeze & it's really annoying. They were fine on the previous build. A reboot seems to solve the issue for a time at least but it always starts to lag again eventually. I have been in device manager and uninstalled the drivers then reinstalled them but it didn't seem to help. Another issue is video playback which is glitchy and the sound glitches out but I can live with that until the issue is solved. With regards to Macrium Reflect I will certainly look into it, thanks for the recommendation!
On a few attempts to update to 2004 by forcing it with an ISO, I found exactly the same Explorer slowdown. Almost seemed like it was slowly dying and finally freeze. Many others have reported same or similar, so you're not alone. So many different configurations of hardware and software out there.
The suggestion of setting yourself up with a regular backup schedule using Macrium (Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free) is the best advice there is. You can use any backup software you wish, but Macrium is the one most recommended and used here. Tons of knowledge and help available with it. Important part is do the backups. I can restore my system to working condition in 3 minutes or less. How much time does a "start over" take? How much time does a search your head off take looking for what might have done something?
Backups will save your system, your data, and your sanity. I'm not the only one on Tenforums that preach backups. It's probably the single most important thing you can do.
End of sermon.
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