Windows 11 is set to launch on October 5, and when it does, you might be curious to upgrade your PC to the new operating system. Even now, in testing via the Windows Insider program, you might want to install Windows 11 to see what all the hype is about.
In any case, if you don’t end up liking Windows 11 then you can remove it from your PC in more ways than one. We’ve put together this guide on how you can uninstall Windows 11.
Rollback to Windows 10 and keep your files
The easiest way to uninstall Windows 11 is by rolling back to Windows 10. With this method, you will not lose any of your files, but there is a catch. You only have 10 days from when you initially update to Windows 11 to go back to Windows 10. If this applies to you, follow our steps below, otherwise, jump to the next section.
Step 1: Open the Windows 11 settings menu with Windows Key+I
Step 2: On the sidebar, click Windows Update
Step 3: In the middle of your screen, click Advanced Options
Step 4: Click Recovery followed by the Go Back button.
Step 5: Plug your laptop into a power outlet, and follow the steps on the screen.
After a few restarts, your PC will be set back to Windows 10 and will no longer be on Windows 11. This is the safest and easiest way to go back to Windows 10 as it keeps everything in place. You will not lose any of your files or documents, but any apps you installed while using Windows 11 will no longer be present
Install Windows 10 via an ISO and delete your files
Another way to uninstall Windows 11 and go back to Windows 10 is by using an ISO file. This is the only way to go back to Windows 10 if you’ve gone beyond the 10-day rollback limit. Under this method, you’ll be losing all of your files and apps and will have to restart from fresh.
Before you proceed, we suggest saving any of your files to external storage. This is so you can get back to it later after you uninstall Windows 11. Once you do that, follow our steps below.
Step 1: Visit Microsoft’s website and download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.
Step 2: Once the tool is downloaded, launch it on your Windows 11 system, and agree to Microsoft’s terms of service.
Step 3: Choose the option to create installation media for another PC and click next, and then next once more.
Step 4: Choose ISO File and then choose Next.
Step 5: Choose a location to save the file to (The desktop is a good place.)
Step 6: Allow Windows 10 to download.
Step 7: Click Finish, and then navigate to where you saved the ISO.
Step 8: Double click to launch the ISO file. Look for the Setup icon, and click it, and follow the instructions on your screen to downgrade back to Windows 10.
Again, by going this method, you’ll end up losing all of your files and apps. If your 10-day grace period has expired, currently, there is no other way to uninstall Windows 11 and go back to Windows 10 other than using an ISO file. You’ll be forced to clean-install Windows 10 and will lose access to your files and apps.