If you recently upgraded to Windows 10 from Windows 7, you can use the recovery settings to quickly rollback to the previous version without losing your data.
However, there is a caveat. The option is only available during the first ten days after upgrading to Windows 10. After ten days, the system will delete the previous installation files, making it impossible to roll back to Windows 7 using the recovery option.
If you cannot find the option, you can still downgrade, but you will need to erase the hard drive and then install the version of the operating system you want, which in this case is Windows 7.
In this hands-on video, you will learn the steps to use the recovery settings on Windows 10 to go back to Windows 7.
How to rollback to Windows 7 after upgrading to Windows 10
Use the following steps to uninstall Windows 10 and downgrade to Windows 7:
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Open Settings.
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Click on Update & Security.
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Click on Recovery.
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Under the “Go back to Windows 7” section, click the Get started button.
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Select the reason for removing Windows 10.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the No, thanks button.
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Click the Next button.
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Click the Next button again.
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Click the Go back to Windows 7 button.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will be removed, reverting the system to Windows 7.
Although the process to downgrade is straightforward, it is not recommended to rollback since the operating system is no longer supported, and using a more than a decade-old version of Windows will make your device vulnerable to attacks and malware. These steps are only meant to revert the change if something went wrong with the installation or there is a significant compatibility issue preventing you from using an application or feature you depend on to get your work done.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.