The problem with Windows 10 updates is that they can often cause problems for your computer. For this reason, Microsoft, which could perhaps even pay a little more attention before the final releases, has put an option in the system that serves to go back after installing an update, in order to downgrade Windows 10. and restore the previous situation.
This recovery or rollback tool has been launched since the first launch of Windows 10 in 2015 and works not only to return to the previous version of Windows 10, but also to return to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 after installing Windows 10 with update procedure from the Media Creation Tool.
Therefore, when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8 and when upgrading to a new version of Windows 10 (with half-yearly updates ), a copy of the previous installation is saved in the Windows.old folder on the main disk (usually disk C) as a backup.
This backup will revert to the previous version of Windows and will be kept for up to 10 days after upgrading to Windows 10.
Returning to the previous version of Windows 10 will keep documents, photos and other personal files.
To go back in version in Windows 10 you must be sure that :
- There is enough space on the Windows installation disk, a free space that is at least double the size of the C: \ Windows.old folder.
- That there are the Windows.old and $ windows. ~ Bt folders after the update, which must not be deleted.
- CHe has not used the Disk Cleanup feature to delete previous version installation files.
- Have the password that was used to log in to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
- Have the USB drive used to upgrade to Windows 10 (if it has been used).
- You have an administrator account in order to proceed.
- No other accounts have been created after the update (if necessary delete them).
To return to the previous version of Windows 10 after installing an Update or updating Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, there are two ways:
1) From the Advanced Startup Options
2) From the Settings.
1) In the event that the PC no longer starts correctly or is unusable, you can go back to the previous version of Windows 10 from the computer's start menu .
Then open the Windows 10 advanced boot menu.
Press on Troubleshooting, then on Advanced Options and, if the option to go back to the previous Build does not yet appear, press on the bottom of Other recovery options to find it (remember that after 10 days from the installation this will not be possible).
Then choose the administrator account, enter the password and let go of the automatic procedure.
2) If the PC is still functional, it is possible to return to the previous version of Windows 10 by opening the Start menu and then Settings (gear icon).
In Settings, go to the Update and Security section and then to Recovery .
On the right side you will find the Start button under the words " Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 "
Then provide a reason, then check for updates (skip) and continue until you complete the wizard and proceed with the rollback and downgrade.
If you want to keep the possibility to downgrade and return to the previous version even after 10 days it may be possible to do it in a simple way.
Open a command prompt as administrator (right mouse button on the Start button) and type the command:
DISM / Online / Get-OSUninstallWindow
The result of this command shows a line with writing
Uninstall Window: 10
Which means, time to go back, 10 days.
To increase this time to 30 days, use the command:
DISM / Online / Set-OSUninstallWindow / Value: 30
The maximum is 60 days.
It is worth noting that the command
DISM / Online / Remove-OSUninstall
It takes away any possibility of returning to the previous version.
For those coming from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 there is also the possibility of using a System Go Back program is easier and automatic, designed specifically for this event.
After installation, you can immediately back up your Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 system, depending on what you currently have.
Once you upgrade to Windows 10, if there were problems or were not happy, you can immediately return to the previous situation without having to do reinstallations .
From Easus System GoBack, you can click the restore button that will bring the PC back to the previous system, removing Windows 10 .
Another program allows you to cancel errors or partial updates of Windows 10 even if the PC does not start .
Obviously you can always proceed with the reinstallation d
