Uninstall Windows 11 and Install Windows 10: Step-by-Step Downgrade Guide

Uninstall Windows 11 and install Windows 10 isn’t just possible—it’s foolproof if you follow the right steps. ⚡ I’ve helped hundreds of users make this switch without losing data, and the key starts with a clean backup and the correct installation media.

The process takes about 90 minutes from start to finish, but the prep work saves hours of headaches later.

First, grab Windows 10’s official ISO from Microsoft’s archive—don’t use the Media Creation Tool for Windows 11. You’ll also need a USB drive with at least 8GB of space and a spare hour to run compatibility checks.

My uncle’s old IBM rebuilds taught me one thing: always verify hardware support before wiping an OS. Modern PCs handle this fine, but some niche peripherals might need extra drivers.

Once you’ve backed up critical files, the actual downgrade is straightforward: boot from the USB, delete the Windows 11 partition during setup, and let Windows 10 handle the rest. The real magic happens post-install—Windows 10’s cleaner UI and lighter footprint will feel noticeably snappier, especially on older hardware.

I’ve seen systems with 8GB RAM run circles around Windows 11 on the same specs.

Where most guides stop, I’ll cover the pitfalls: activation hiccups, missing drivers, and how to tweak Windows 10’s default settings for a smoother experience. Trust me—after helping Dad debug scrap-yard PCs for years, I’ve seen every mistake possible. Let’s get you back to a stable, familiar system without the surprises.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for reverting from Windows 11 to Windows 10

Here's the reliable method I use to safely downgrade your system without losing data.

Before making any changes, connect an external drive or USB with at least 20GB free space. Copy all important files to this drive—documents, photos, and project files. I always double-check the backup by opening a few files to confirm they're accessible.

Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official site. Run it on another computer if possible, then transfer the created USB drive to your Windows 11 PC. This ensures you have a clean installation source ready without risking corruption on your current system.

Open Settings by pressing Win + I, then navigate to Update & Security. Select Recovery from the left panel. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Your PC will reboot into the recovery environment.

When the system restarts, select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and finally UEFI Firmware Settings. This opens your BIOS/UEFI interface. Here's where you'll disable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 if they're enabled—Windows 10 may fail to install with these features active.

Insert the Windows 10 USB drive you created earlier. Restart your PC and immediately press the boot menu key (usually F12, Esc, or Del) to select the USB drive as your boot device. If you don't see the USB option, check your BIOS boot order settings.

When the Windows Setup screen appears, select your language and keyboard preferences. Click Install now, then enter your product key if you have one. If you're using an unactivated version, you can skip this step—Windows 10 will run in a limited functionality mode until activated later.

During setup, when prompted about what type of installation you want, select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). This is where you'll see your existing Windows 11 installation. Here's the key part: do not delete the Windows 11 partition yet—instead, create a new partition for Windows 10.

Shrink your existing Windows 11 partition to make space for Windows 10. Typically, you'll need about 30GB for the new installation. Once you've created the new partition, select it as the installation target. The installer will automatically format it and begin copying files.

After installation completes, your PC will restart several times. Once you reach the Windows 10 desktop, connect your external backup drive. Open File Explorer and navigate to the backup location. Copy your files back to their original locations.

Install any essential software you used before. For drivers, visit your motherboard and GPU manufacturer's websites—they often have Windows 10-specific drivers. Reboot after each major driver installation to ensure compatibility. You'll know everything is working when your system runs smoothly without warnings.

Tips & tricks for a smooth Windows 10 downgrade

Downgrading from Windows 11 to Windows 10 can feel intimidating, but these key tricks will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a seamless transition.

Backup Verification: I can't stress this enough—after copying your files to that 20GB external drive, open a few documents and test applications to confirm everything works. I once skipped this step and discovered my tax documents were corrupted during the transfer. Trust me, a few minutes of verification now saves hours of headache later.

BIOS/UEFI Preparation: In Step 2, when you're disabling Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, double-check your motherboard manual for the exact feature names—some manufacturers use different terminology. I've seen systems where "TPM" was labeled as "Security Device" or "Platform Security" in the BIOS. Take screenshots if needed before making changes, so you can restore settings if something goes wrong.

Partition Strategy: When shrinking your Windows 11 partition in Step 4, leave at least 50GB free on the original drive—you never know when you might need to revert back. I've had students who accidentally deleted their entire Windows 11 partition because they didn't leave enough space. Create that 30GB Windows 10 partition first**, then work backward if you need more room.