How to downgrade Windows 10 from 1709 to 1607

I have a rare problem with my system, where it freezes. I have a Ryzen CPU, and a search for this problem put me to an AMD Community post where several Ryzen users have experienced a similar problem, and some of them have worked around it in various ways and others report they're hosed.
One suggestion was that there's a bug in the Creators Update and reverting back to an older version (i.e. 1607) solved the problem. So I thought I'd try that, at least temporarily.
I'd like advice on how to do this.
I can make a recovery disk of my present system (1709).
But I don't know how to install 1607 and keep my settings and apps. I don't even know where to get 1607.
My computer doesn't show any installed updates older than 1709. So reverting back to an older version won't work.
Alternatively, could I clean install 1607 as a second OS in the boot loader. Since it's for an experiment, I wouldn't mind if I lose settings of apps, though it would be nice to preserve them.
I'm currently downloading an ISO (unofficial) of 1511. I would try reverting to 1511 if anyone can vouch for its safety.

You cannot downgrade to an earlier version keeping your apps ands settings, it has to be a clean install I'm afraid.

I'm currently downloading an ISO (unofficial) of 1511...

That may be unwise if you don't trust the source.

This third-party app generates the links required to download an ISO direct from Microsoft. You'll be able to get 1607 this way.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/techno...-download-tool

The site seems to be down at the moment, so try again in a little while. Or, if you can't wait, there is an archived copy of the page in the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, you can download the tool from there too.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180222...-download-tool

Edit: HeiDoc is back up now.

zbook said:

What progress did you make in working up the freezing?

That would be the preferred solution, if only for the fact that 1607 is at 'end of support' within weeks and will almost certainly try to update to 1709 immediately. Quite separately from windows update, Microsoft are pushing the Update Assistant onto all previous versions.

zbook is best placed to help you there.

mrolle said:

When I download 1607, can I do an install as a second OS, and how do I do this?

It is against the EULA to have two copies of Windows installed at the same time on a single machine with just the one license. Strictly speaking, you are expected to buy a license for the second install.

As to how to dual boot, there's a tutorial...
Dual Boot Windows 10 with Windows 7 or Windows 8

I don't use dual boot. When I want to use an earlier version on my test PC (system two in my specs) I restore a system image. That way there is never more than one Windows installed at any time. You could also stay within the EULA by swapping out the current HDD and replacing it with another one and installing 1607 on that.

If 1607 will try to immediately upgrade to 1709, that would defeat the purpose of installing 1607. I can disconnect my Internet connection long enough to tell 1607 not to do automatic updates. Will this be sufficient?

No, the best way is to hide the update called 'Feature update to Windows 10, version 1709'. You will also need to hide KB4023814 which installs the Update Assistant.

If you're currently running Windows 10 Version 1507, Version 1511, Version 1607, or Version 1703, you can expect to receive a notification that states that your device has to have the latest security updates installed. Windows Update will then try to update your device.

https://support.microsoft.com/help/4...stall-the-late

Hide or Show Windows Updates in Windows 10


I still think the best solution is to see if zbook can help you sort out 1709.

mrolle said:

I've now got my .iso file for 1607. I tried mounting it with PowerIso and running its setup.exe, but in this case it only gives me the option to keep nothing...

Yes, running Setup from within Windows will upgrade (or in this case downgrade) the current system. You can't do a downgrade and keep your apps and files.

See the tutorial link I have just given in post #7 for the correct way to install as dual boot. Although it's talking about dual booting with 7 or 8, AFAIK it should work with 10 too (though as I said, I haven't tried it myself).