Skip to main content

How to Downgrade from Windows 10 to an Earlier Version of Windows


So you’ve grabbed the free upgrade, installed the all new Windows 10 and given it a try for a couple weeks. Now if you don’t like Windows 10 for whatever reason, be it for the privacy issues, learning curve, or program incompatibilities, you can easily downgrade to your previous version of Windows with just a few clicks. The good thing about downgrading is that you will get to keep all your programs, files, and settings intact
In fact, a smooth upgrade and downgrade process is one those improved features of Windows 10. And if you would like to downgrade, here is how you can to a previous version of Windows from Windows 10.
Note: even though I’m downgrading to Windows 7 from Windows 10, the procedure is the same even if you want to downgrade to Windows 8 or 8.1.
Before downgrading from Windows 10, there are a few things you should know and do.
1. Downgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 only works if you’ve upgraded your machine to Windows 10. So, if you’ve done a fresh installation of Windows 10, then you cannot downgrade.
2. You only have a month from the date of the installation of Windows 10 to downgrade from it. After that you may not be able to downgrade. Make sure to make up your mind before you run out of time.
3. Any settings you’ve applied to your Windows 10 machine will be lost as a part of the downgrading process.
4. If you’ve secured your previous version of Windows with an administrator password, then make sure that you have that password with you. Otherwise you may not be able to log in after downgrading.
5. Though the downgrade process is smooth, make sure that you have a good backup of all your files.
6. You may sometimes need to reinstall certain programs. This is not likely to happen, but be ready for it.
Downgrading from Windows 10 is easy and straightforward. To start, click on the “Notifications” icon and select the “All Settings” option.
downgrade-from-win10-all-settings
The above action will open the Windows 10 Settings panel. Select the “Update and Security” option.
downgrade-from-win10-update-and-security
Once the Update and Security panel has been opened, select the “Recovery” option from the left sidebar.
downgrade-from-win10-select-recovery
On the right panel of the window, you will see the “Go back to Windows 7” option. Just click on the “Get Started” button to start the downgrading process. If you have used Windows 10 for over a month, you will not have this option.
downgrade-from-win10-get-started
The above action will bring forward a window asking for a reason for your downgrade decision. Simply select an option and click on the “Next” button to continue.
downgrade-from-win10-enter-reason
Windows will show you some need-to-know stuff. Read it and click on the “Next” button to continue.
downgrade-from-win10-know-things
As I said before, if you’ve used a different password for your previous Windows installation, then make sure that you have it with you. Click on the “Next” button to continue the procedure.
downgrade-from-win10-have-previous-password
Finally, click on the “Go back to Windows 7” button to commence the downgrading process.
downgrade-from-win10-start
At this point, you’ve done everything you need to do. Just sit back and wait while Windows downgrades your machine. Depending on your previous Windows installation, the downgrading process may take a while.
downgrade-from-win10-started
Once the downgrading has been completed, you can start using your system. Of course, you may still need to configure some settings, and if you find any problems with the installed applications, then you may also want to reinstall them.
downgrade-from-win10-completed
In the future, if you ever want to give Windows 10 a try again, you can do that for certain. After all, Windows 10 is free for the first year.
Do comment below sharing your thoughts and experiences about downgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SoftBank Lands $236M From Alibaba And Foxconn To Bring Its Pepper Robot To The World

Remember Pepper,  the intelligent robot that SoftBank unveiled last year ? Pepper goes on sale in Japan this coming weekend, but in advance of that launch  SoftBank has revealed  that Alibaba and manufacturer Foxconn have invested $118 million each in its robotics division. That deal will give Alibaba and Foxconn 20 percent shares in SoftBank Robotics Holdings (known as SBRH), with SoftBank retaining a dominant 60 percent stake. “SoftBank, Alibaba and Foxconn will build a structure to bring Pepper and other robotics businesses to global markets, and cooperate with the aim of spreading and developing the robotics industry on a worldwide scale,” SoftBank said in its announcement. SoftBank isn’t short on money, of course — it is building up quite a portfolio of e-commerce investments across Asia — but its two partners bring know-how, strategy and global networks to the table. So, it looks like Pepper has eventual world domination plans. Or, at least, ...

Apple to release new small phone before iPhone 7

Apple to release new small phone before iPhone 7 Apple is to create a smaller, cheap version of the iPhone, persistent to the 4 inch size of the iPhone 5. Apple is testing 5 different iPhone 7 models. It will sell next to Apple’s existing phones however mark the first time that Apple has ready a latest phone smaller than the one it locate on sale before. There will be the choice of 2 or three colours likely the  gold, space grey  and silver options that mainly Apple products now coming up. Other than inside there will be very much better components. The flagship improve will be the addition of the A9 chip that powers the iPhone 6S. There may also be a number of changes to the outside. The most able to be seen is apt to be the addition of the somewhat curved edges that are found on the iPhone 6 and 6S. careinfo.in Apple  dropped the iPhone 5C previous this year. A number of hoped that it would be replaced by a 6C, though reports at the time made clear that we...

How ad-free subscriptions could solve Facebook

At the core of Facebook’s “well-being” problem is that its business is directly coupled with total time spent on its apps. The more hours you pass on the social network, the more ads you see and click, the more money it earns. That puts its plan to make using Facebook healthier at odds with its finances, restricting how far it’s willing to go to protect us from the harms of over use. The advertising-supported model comes with some big benefits, though. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly said that “We will always keep Facebook a free service for everyone.” Ads lets Facebook remain free for those who don’t want to pay, and more importantly, for those around the world who couldn’t afford to. Ads pay for Facebook to keep the lights on, research and develop new technologies, and profit handsomely in a way that attracts top talent and further investment. More affluent users with more buying power in markets like the US, UK, and Canada command higher ad prices, effectively...

Intel announces the first 14 nanometre processor

At the Computex conference in Taipei, chipmaker Intel has revealed a fanless mobile PC reference design using the first of its next-generation 14nm "Broadwell" processors. The 2 in 1 pictured here is a 12.5" screen that is just 7.2 mm thick with keyboard detached and weighs 670 grams.  The Surface Pro 3  – for comparison – is 9.1 mm thick and weighs 800 grams. It includes a media dock that provides additional cooling for a burst of performance. The next-generation chip is purpose-built for 2 in 1s and will hit the market later in  2014 . Called the Intel Core M, it will be the most energy-efficient Intel Core processor in the company's history with power usage cut by up to 45 percent, resulting in 60 percent less heat. The majority of designs based on this new chip are expected to be fanless, with up to  32 hours of battery life,  offering both a lightning-fast tablet and razor-thin laptop. Intel is also delivering innovation and performance for the ...