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How to Go Back to Previous Version of Windows in Windows 10
When you upgrade to Windows 10 or update to a new version of Windows 10 (ex: Windows Update), a copy of the previous installation is saved to the Windows.old folder in the root directory of the Windows 10 drive as a backup. This backup will allow you to be able to go back to the previous build of Windows for up to a 10 days after upgrading to Windows 10 if you should want to.
To go back, you'll need to:
- You will need to have enough free space on the Windows C: drive. Usually the free space needed is at least twice the size of the C:\Windows.old folder.
- Keep everything in the Windows.old and $windows.~bt folders after the upgrade. This means to not delete these folders, and not check the Previous Windows Installation(s) box when using Disk Cleanup.
- Remove any user accounts you added after the upgrade.
- Know the password you used to sign in to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 (if you used one).
- Have the USB drive you used to upgrade to Windows 10 (if you used one).
What you need to know before you go back:
It will keep your documents, photos, and other personal files, but it can't save:
- Any apps installed after the most recent upgrade
- Any changes to personal settings made after the upgrade
- If you're using a local account, you'll need to sign in to this PC with your old password after going back. This doesn't apply to a Microsoft account.
- If you go back to Windows 8.1, some apps that came with Windows, like Mail and People, might not work anymore. To fix them, reinstall them from the Store.
- If you’re a Windows 10 Insider with a Windows 10 preview build installed, going back to an earlier build won’t remove you from the Insider Program. When the next preview build is ready, it'll be installed on your PC.
If you PC has been flighting longer than 31 days, you'll need to create recovery media and clean install the old OS directly to the machine. Don't forget to back up your data and content first!
See also: Ending Flighting on a PC - Microsoft Community
This tutorial will show you how to go back to the previous Windows from Windows 10 without losing your documents, photos, and other personal files.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to go back to a previous build of Windows.
CONTENTS:
- Option One: Go back to Previous Windows from Windows 10 in Advanced Startup options
- Option Two: Go back to Previous Windows from Windows 10 in Settings
OPTION ONE
Go back to Previous Windows from Windows 10 in Advanced Startup options
1. You will need to first
delete any user accounts you created after upgrading to Windows 10.
2. Boot to
advanced startup options.
3. Click/tap on
Troubleshoot. (see screenshot below)
4. Click/tap on
Advanced options. (see screenshot below)
5. If you don't see
Go back to the previous build, then click/tap on the
See more recovery options link if displayed. (see screenshot below)
6. Click/tap on
Go back to the previous build. (see screenshot below)
7. Click/tap on an administrator account you want to provide credentials for. (see screenshot below)
8. Enter the password for this administrator account, and click/tap on
Continue. (see screenshot below)
9. Click/tap on
Go back to previous build to begin. (see screenshot below)
10. The previous build of Windows will now start restoring. (see screenshot below)
OPTION TWO
Go back to Previous Windows from Windows 10 in Settings
1. You will need to first
delete any user accounts you created after upgrading to Windows 10.
2. Open
Settings, and click/tap on the
Update & security icon.
3. Click/tap on
Recovery on the left side, and click/tap on the
Get Started button under
Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 on the right side. (see screenshot below)
4. Check why you are going back to provide feedback to Microsoft, and click/tap on
Next. (see screenshot below)
5. Click/tap on
No, thanks. (see screenshot below)
You can click/tap on Check for updates if you wanted to check for new updates instead.
6. Click/tap on
Next. (see screenshot below)
7. Click/tap on
Next. (see screenshot below)
8. Click/tap on
Go back to earlier build or
Go back to Windows # to begin. (see screenshot below)
9. The earlier build of Windows will now start restoring. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn
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