How to Roll Back From Windows 10

How to Roll Back From Windows 10

  18:49:00    Amaechi Olisaemeka

---

How do I go roll back to my previous Windows?

So, you have made the big change and upgraded to Windows 10 and you are not too impressed (that's hard to imagine though). The question is, how do I revert back to my previous version of Windows?

Windows 10 stores your old version of Windows as Windows.old for 30 days

Easy! Windows 10 stores the old installation of your Windows in the root folder of your primary drive as "Windows.old". This folder will remain on your PC for 30 days before it is automatically deleted. This means that you have 30 days to make up your mind on whether you want to roll back or remain with Windows 10. If after the 30 days you feel like you still want to go back, it is entirely possible but you will need to perform a clean installation.

Before we get started, it is important to remind you to always make a full backup of your PC before you begin any upgrade or downgrade process to ensure that your data is safe. The process is not supposed to affect any personal files but we don't want to be careless. Also, make sure you remember your previous Windows installation account logon credentials as you will only be able to log on to your PC after rolling back with the previous account.

To roll back your Windows 10 upgrade to your previous version of Windows, simply follow these steps:

1. Press your Windows button and type in "Settings". You would see a search result just like below.

Find Settings from the Windows start menu

2. Click on the Settings menu to open the Settings window.

Locate the Update and security option in the Settings window

3. Click on the "Update and security" menu to open the UPDATE AND SECURITY window. Navigate to the Recovery option on the left pane.

Navigate to the Recovery option

4. On the right pane, you would see different recovery options. The second option is a roll back option that depends on which previous version of Windows you were running. I was previously running Windows 7 so I have "Go back to Windows 7". If you were previously running Windows 8.1, you would have "Go back to Windows 8.1"

5. Click on the "Get started" button to begin the roll back process. Windows will take a survey to find out why you are rolling back. You can chose as many options as you want. Two other prompts also reminds you to make a backup (we told ya!) as well as note that some programs may not work and you may need to reinstall some programs after your roll back.

6. A final window thanks you for trying out Windows 10 and invites you to come back any time. The free upgrade is still valid until July 29, 2016, after all. Click on the "GO back to Windows 7" button and Windows will begin the roll back process.

Estimated roll back time depends on the PC specs but should be between 45 minutes and 90 minutes. Remember to have your PC plugged into a power source throughout the roll back and DO NOT POWER OFF YOUR DEVICE until the roll back is successfully completed.