How to Go Back/Downgrade to Windows 10 Without Losing Data

Introduction

With Windows 10 reaching its end of support on October 14, 2026, many users choose to upgrade to Windows 11 to obtain long-term support and security guarantees. While Windows 11 brings a refreshed interface and new productivity features, not everyone finds it ideal for daily use. Some users report compatibility issues, slower performance, or missing familiar functions they relied on in Windows 10. Is it still possible to roll back to Windows 10?

If you’ve upgraded to Windows 11 and regret the move, the encouraging thing is that you can still go back to Windows 10 without losing data, as long as you act quickly and follow the right process.

Before You Downgrade: Prepare for a Safe Rollback

Just like losing pictures due to accidental deletion or version mismatch, an improper downgrade may also lead to missing personal files, application data, or even system instability. That’s why it’s essential to prepare thoroughly before rolling back your system. Let’s start by making sure your downgrade goes smoothly and safely.

🧿Back Up Your Important Files

Your first priority should be protecting personal files like photos, documents, and downloads especially in C drive. Even though Windows claims to keep your data intact, it’s not guaranteed especially if something goes wrong during the downgrade.

🔔Check Available Disk Space

Windows keeps your previous system files in a special folder called Windows.old, which is required to roll back to Windows 10. However, this folder may be earlier automatically deleted if your disk is running low on space.

📂Check Installed Programs and Activation Keys

Some software might not be compatible with Windows 10 or may lose activation after rollback. Make a list of your essential programs and backup your product key which may is required after rollback.

🛠️Disconnect Non-Essential Devices

External hardware such as printers, game controllers, or secondary drives may interfere with the downgrade process.

How to Go Back/Downgrade to Windows 10 Within 10 Days

Once these steps are complete, your system will be ready for a safe downgrade. Next, we’ll show you how to go back to Windows 10 without losing your personal data or apps. After upgrading to Windows 11, Microsoft provides a grace period that gives you a way back to Windows 10 within 10 days without USB. So, it's crucial to act quickly.

Go Back to Windows 10 from Windows Settings

If you haven’t manually cleaned up the Windows.old and $Windows.~BT folders after upgrading, this way can restore your previous Windows 10 environment, keeping most of your files and apps untouched.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Recovery".

Step 2. Under "Recovery options", find "Go back" or "Go back to previous versions of Windows 10" and click "Go back".

Step 3. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the rollback to complete.

Roll Back to Windows 10 in WinRE

When your computer encounters extremely serious issues after the upgrade, to the extent that you cannot access the desktop normally or Windows 11 fails to start, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) to initiate the rollback.

Step 1. Turn on the computer and immediately press and hold the power button until the computer shuts down forcibly. Repeat this process 2 to 3 times. Windows will automatically enter "Advanced Startup".

Step 2. Go to "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "Go back to the previous version".

Step 3. Select an answer or type additional reasons, then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "No, thanks" when asked to check for updates instead of going back.

Step 5. Click "Go back to earlier build" to start the roll back process.

How to Go Back/Downgrade to Windows 10 After 10 Days

If more than 10 days have passed since you upgraded, the "Go back" option disappears because Windows automatically deletes the Windows.old folder. In that case, you can still downgrade Windows 11 to 10 by using Microsoft’s official installation tool Media.

Downgrade to Windows 10 Using Installation Media

This method can help you install a brand-new Windows 10 system, but it may remove some programs installed after upgrading to Windows 11. Therefore, it’s best to back up your important files in advance.

Step 1. Download Windows Installation Media on your computer from an official channel.

Step 2. Launch it and choose "Upgrade this PC now", then click "Next". Windows Media Creation tool will download Windows 10, wait several minutes until your computer ready to install.

Step 3. Choose "Keep personal files and apps" and click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Install" to reinstall Windows 10 without losing data.

How to Recover Lost Files After Downgrading

If you accidentally lost files after rolling back or performing a clean installation, MyRecover can help you quickly retrieve them. MyRecover is a reliable and user-friendly data recovery tool that supports recovering files from formatted partitions, lost folders, or reinstalled systems. It’s designed to recover deleted or missing files on Windows with high recovery accuracy.

Step 1. Download and install MyRecover on your computer from Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Run MyRecover and select the drive with lost files to scan, then click "Scan".

Step 3. Choose the files you would like to recover from the recoverable lists and click "Recover".

Step 4. Select a safe location to save the recovered files.

When the process is completed, the message "Files have been recovered successfully" will pop up. You can access the recovered files by clicking on the destination folder path.

Final Words

Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 is completely doable even after the 10-day rollback period, as long as you prepare properly and choose the right method. Whether you’re using Settings, WinRE, or the installation media, taking time to secure your data first will make all the difference.

And if data loss still occurs, the professional data recovery tool MyRecover provides a complete solution for your recovery needs. For user who handle mount of data, upgrade to the Professional edition of MyRecover is a worthwhile investment. It supports unlimited data recovery and file preview before restoration, and even data retrieval from unbootable systems.