Many users upgraded to Windows 11 expecting improved performance, only to face app incompatibilities, slower response times, or unfamiliar interfaces. For those valuing stability and a familiar workspace, returning to Windows 10 makes sense. But how do you downgrade without compromising your data or productivity? This guide walks you through safe rollback methods, common pitfalls, and smart software alternatives like WPS Office to streamline your experience.
Part 1: How to Downgrade to Windows 10 Within 10 Days (No Data Loss)
If you've recently upgraded to Windows 11 but find it doesn’t meet your needs—perhaps due to software incompatibility, performance issues, or just personal preference—you can roll back to Windows 10 easily within 10 days of the upgrade. Microsoft provides this rollback option without losing your files or installed apps, but it’s time-sensitive and only available under specific conditions. Here’s how to do it safely and smoothly:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Before proceeding, make sure you’re eligible for the downgrade:
You must be within 10 days of installing Windows 11. After that, Windows will delete the old system files necessary for rollback.
Your system must still have the "Windows.old" folder, which stores the previous version. If you’ve cleaned your disk using tools like Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense, this folder might already be removed.
To check your installation date:
Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter. This will show when Windows 11 was installed.
Step 2: Open Recovery Settings
To initiate the rollback:
Click Start > Settings.
Go to System > Recovery.
Under the “Go back” section, you’ll see a button labeled “Go back”—only if you’re still within the 10-day period.
If the button is grayed out or missing, the rollback is no longer available, and you’ll need to do a clean install of Windows 10.
Step 3: Follow the On-Screen Prompts
Microsoft will guide you through a short downgrade process:
Select a reason for rolling back (e.g., apps not working, device feels slower, etc.).
When prompted to check for updates, click No, thanks—this avoids reinstallation delays.
Confirm your decision and click Next through the remaining prompts.
The system will then prepare to revert to your previous Windows 10 setup.
Step 4: Wait for the Reboot and Restoration
Your PC will restart automatically.
During this process, Windows will restore your previous version, keeping your files, apps, and most settings intact.
The rollback process usually takes 15–30 minutes, depending on your system’s speed.
Important Notes
Backups are still recommended. Although this method doesn’t delete files, it’s always a good idea to backup important data to an external drive or cloud service before making OS-level changes.
If you miss the 10-day window, you’ll need to perform a clean installation of Windows 10, which erases all data and requires a full setup.
Part 2: How to Downgrade to Windows 10 After 10 Days (Clean Install)
If more than 10 days have passed since you upgraded to Windows 11, the built-in rollback feature will no longer be available. At this point, the only way to return to Windows 10 is through a clean installation, which involves erasing your current Windows setup and reinstalling the older version from scratch. While this method is more involved and results in the loss of apps and settings, it's a reliable way to start fresh—especially if you’ve been experiencing performance issues or compatibility problems on Windows 11.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to safely downgrade after the 10-day window:
Step 1: Backup Your Data
A clean install will wipe your system drive (usually C:), so backing up your important files is essential.
Save documents, photos, videos, and project folders to an external hard drive, USB drive, or cloud storage (such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox).
Don’t forget to back up:
Desktop and Downloads folders
Browser bookmarks and saved passwords
Product keys or license info for paid software
Email account settings (if not using a cloud-based service like Outlook or Gmail)
Step 2: Create Bootable Installation Media
To perform a clean installation of Windows 10, you’ll need a bootable USB drive.
Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official site:
https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10
Plug in a USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space.
Launch the Media Creation Tool and select:
“Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”
Choose USB Flash Drive when prompted.
Let the tool download Windows 10 and prepare your bootable USB.
Step 3: Set USB as Boot Device in BIOS/UEFI
With the bootable media ready, configure your system to boot from it:
Insert the USB drive into your PC.
Restart your computer, and during boot-up, press the correct key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings—commonly F2, F10, F12, Del, or Esc, depending on your system manufacturer.
In the BIOS settings:
Navigate to the Boot menu.
Set the USB drive as the first boot option.
Save and exit the BIOS (usually F10).
Your PC will reboot from the USB and start the Windows 10 setup process.
Step 4: Perform the Clean Installation
Once the setup begins:
Choose your language, time zone, and keyboard preferences, then click Next.
Click “Install now” and enter your Windows 10 product key (if prompted). If you don’t have one, click “I don’t have a product key” to activate later.
When asked what type of installation you want, select “Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)”.
You’ll now see a list of partitions. Choose your main system partition (typically labeled as Drive 0 or C:), and format it to erase Windows 11.
Be careful to select the correct partition. If unsure, take a picture of your current partitions before proceeding.
Proceed with the installation by selecting the formatted partition and clicking Next.
Windows 10 will now install from scratch. Your PC will reboot several times during this process.
After Installation: Setup and Restore
Once Windows 10 is installed:
Set up your account, region, and privacy preferences.
Reinstall your essential applications and drivers.
Use your backups to restore personal files, bookmarks, and app settings.
Activate Windows 10 if you haven’t already.
Part 3: Common Issues After Downgrading to Windows 10
While downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10—especially through a clean install—can help you regain system performance, stability, and compatibility, it may introduce a few challenges. These issues are generally fixable but can disrupt workflow if not addressed early. Here are the most common problems users face after the downgrade, along with practical solutions:
1. Driver Compatibility Problems
After a clean install, some hardware components (like graphics cards, Wi-Fi adapters, or touchpads) may not function correctly or at all. This usually happens because:
The default Windows 10 installation lacks specific drivers.
Windows Update installs generic versions that aren’t optimized for your hardware.
Fix:
Visit your laptop or motherboard manufacturer's website (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS) and download the Windows 10-compatible drivers for your specific model.
Prioritize installing drivers for:
Graphics (GPU)
Chipset
Audio
Network (LAN/Wi-Fi)
Avoid relying solely on Windows Update for drivers—it often installs generic versions that may lack full functionality.
2. Windows Activation Errors
After downgrading, Windows may show messages like “Windows is not activated” or give an error code during activation. This is common if:
You didn’t sign in with a Microsoft account linked to your digital license.
You're switching between OEM and retail versions of Windows.
Your license was tied to a specific edition (like Windows 11 Home vs. Windows 10 Pro).
Fix:
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
If you previously activated Windows 10 on the same device, click "Troubleshoot" and choose "I changed hardware on this device recently".
Sign in with your Microsoft account, which should carry your digital license.
If needed, enter your 25-character Windows 10 product key manually.
If you upgraded from an activated Windows 10 version, your license should carry over automatically—but sometimes, a manual sign-in or key re-entry is needed to revalidate it.
3. Missing Apps, Programs, or Features
After a clean install, none of your previously installed applications will be present. You may also find that some Windows 11-exclusive features are gone or some older apps don’t run smoothly in Windows 10.
Fix:
Reinstall applications manually using your backup list or download links.
For any app that refuses to install or open:
Right-click the installer or app shortcut.
Go to Properties > Compatibility tab.
Enable “Run this program in compatibility mode for” and select Windows 8 or 7, depending on the software’s requirements.
If any essential feature like DirectX, .NET Framework, or Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables is missing, download and install them from Microsoft’s official site.
Part 4: Office Software Alternatives — Transitioning to WPS Office
If you’ve recently downgraded to Windows 10 or are simply seeking a more efficient and affordable productivity suite, it may be time to reconsider your dependence on Microsoft Office. While it remains a powerful platform, the evolving needs of users—especially those on older hardware or tighter budgets, are making lightweight and feature-rich alternatives like WPS Office increasingly attractive. Let’s break down why this shift makes practical sense, especially for post-downgrade Windows 10 users.
1. Why You Should Rethink Microsoft Office?
Although Microsoft Office is widely adopted, it may not be the best choice for everyone, particularly after reverting to an older OS like Windows 10. Here’s why:
Rising Costs: Microsoft 365 Personal now costs around $99/year, representing a 72% price increase since 2020. For users who only need core functionality—like document editing, spreadsheets, and presentations—this can feel unnecessarily expensive.
Shrinking Storage: If you're no longer using the latest Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., after downgrading to Windows 10), you may find your free OneDrive storage downgraded to just 5GB, limiting your cloud storage capabilities unless you pay extra.
2. Why WPS Office Is a Smarter Choice for Windows 10?
WPS Office is a modern, efficient, and highly compatible office suite designed to meet the productivity needs of both casual users and professionals—without the bloat or high cost.
AI-Powered Tools: WPS Office includes advanced AI capabilities such as:
Smart Document Summarization for condensing long text into key points.
PDF-to-Word and PDF Editing tools to manage documents without needing additional apps.
Format Compatibility: WPS fully supports all major Microsoft Office formats including:
.doc, .docx (Word)
.xls, .xlsx (Excel)
.ppt, .pptx (PowerPoint)
You can open, edit, and save in these formats seamlessly, which is especially helpful for collaborating with users still on Microsoft Office.
FAQs
Q1. Can I downgrade without losing files within the 10-day window?
Yes. Using Recovery > Go back keeps your data and apps safe.
Q2. Do I need a new license to reinstall Windows 10 after 10 days?
No. Windows 10 will automatically reactivate if your device was previously activated.
Q3. How do I fix drivers after downgrading?
Download drivers from the manufacturer’s site or use Windows Update.
Q4. Is WPS Office a good MS Office replacement?
Absolutely. It’s fast, free, supports all major formats, and includes AI tools.
Summary
Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is completely manageable with the right approach. If you're within the 10-day rollback period, it's a one-click process. If not, a clean install with proper backups ensures a smooth transition. Post-downgrade issues like driver errors or missing apps can be resolved with basic fixes.
To optimize your system post-downgrade, consider switching to WPS Office—a powerful, cost-effective, and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office. With full compatibility, modern AI features, and a much smaller footprint, WPS Office aligns perfectly with the performance and resource profile of Windows 10, helping you stay productive without extra cost or complexity.
