Downgrading pre-installed Win11 to Win10

Hi guys,

I play AAA games on my HP Omen 15 and generally OS compatibility patches don't roll out immediately for many of them so decided I'd stick with Win10 for the time being until most software have acclimated to Win11.

Say we have this hypothetical scenario where I purchase a new laptop pre-installed with Win11 (most of them already are). If I also buy a Win10 disc/licence key and use that to install Win10, will I still be able to install the Win11 OEM that came with the machine provided I keep the recovery drive intact?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Kat,
You should be able to clean install Windows 10 with the Windows 11 OEM license key that the PC comes with - so should not have to buy another license or disc as you can make your own Windows 10 Install USB/CD using Windows 10 MCT or other sources.

Download Windows 10 ISO File

Then later you should be able to upgrade to W11 when you want to

so should not have to buy another license or disc

Music to my ears. Glad I could re-use the same product key to create my own Win10 CD. For some reason I still like CDs for OS installations haha.

Thanks Steve, marking this question solved.

krollo said:

Music to my ears. Glad I could re-use the same product key to create my own Win10 CD. For some reason I still like CDs for OS installations haha.

Thanks Steve, marking this question solved.

And in case you don't already make backups or know about Backup and Restore with Macrium Reflect , I would suggest making a backup image of your new boot drive with Windows 11 on in just for insurance - that way you can easily go back to W11 if you decide to in short order for any reason

Indeed, one can't have too many backups.

You probably already know, but just in case ...... Windows 11 Forum

Haha yes, this family of forums follow a specific naming convention

krollo said:

Hi guys,

I play AAA games on my HP Omen 15 and generally OS compatibility patches don't roll out immediately for many of them so decided I'd stick with Win10 for the time being until most software have acclimated to Win11.

Say we have this hypothetical scenario where I purchase a new laptop pre-installed with Win11 (most of them already are). If I also buy a Win10 disc/licence key and use that to install Win10, will I still be able to install the Win11 OEM that came with the machine provided I keep the recovery drive intact?

Thanks for your help.

You may not face a lot of compatibility issues with 11 to begin with.

I don't play "AAA Games" but you may be pleasantly surprised that going to 11 has little effect. Or disappointed that switching to 11 has little effect.

I recommend that you watch for news of issues with the games that you like. It will be inevitable, I suppose that you'll see a number of players with problems, just as you would with most major Windows 10 updates.

Hi bobkn,
Thanks for the reply. I am actually taking the suggestion from one of the benchmarkers in the gaming tech industry to be specific:

He benchmarks games to a science and comparisons are sound. Games can be extra picky as a software haha. Either way, I am glad to know there is a way to downgrade/upgrade whenever I decide to.