How To Downgrade To Windows 8 From 8.1
Windows ten has been a critical success since its release, but if you lot need or desire to revert to an older version of Windows, you can uninstall Windows 10 and downgrade to Windows 8.1 or even Windows 7.
Be aware, though, that new computers (particularly tablets) may comprise components that weren't manufactured when older Windows versions like Windows 8.1 or Windows seven were being sold. This might hateful that if you downgrade, you'll come across driver problems, and your brandish, keyboard, and networking might not piece of work right.
More than importantly, Microsoft has also concluded back up for Windows 7, and Windows 8.1 is on its fashion toward the terminate of back up in Jan 2023. For the security of your PC, nosotros recommended against installing legacy operating systems in place of Windows ten.
The guide below is written with rolling dorsum to Windows 8.1 in mind. The basic steps work for whatsoever Windows operating system going every bit far back as Windows XP — though we don't recommend going that far back, equally Microsoft ended support for it some time ago.
Another notation: With Microsoft ending support for Windows 8 long ago, you have to fully uninstall Windows ten to scroll back to a previous version. Merely we have an alternate method for rolling back to Windows 8.ane in the event you lot've just recently upgraded to Windows 10.
Oh, and with Windows 11 beingness out at present, nosotros have some communication on how you can remove Windows 11 at the end of our guide.
Support and create installation media
Before beginning annihilation else, you lot must support your important figurer files to a separate location. An external drive or a cloud storage service is excellent, and then long equally it's physically disconnected from the Windows computer you'll be working on. We have a separate piece that dives deeper into how y'all can dorsum upwardly your PC.
Stride one: Unfortunately, Windows can't preserve programs or settings when flashing to an older version (only a newer one), so you'll besides want to get installation media for whatever crucial programs, particularly those that crave serial numbers. It's as well worth noting that Microsoft doesn't support Windows 8 anymore, only Windows eight.i, as information technology was part of an automatic update bike.
Step ii: One time you've backed upwards your PC, get installation media for Windows itself. For Windows 8.1, Microsoft provides a download service that allows y'all to send the installation files to a new DVD or fifty-fifty use a flash bulldoze. If y'all're installing an older version of Windows, you'll need the original disc (and perhaps an external CD or DVD burner if your newer laptop doesn't have a disc drive). Alternatively, you can create a bootable USB drive with a Windows ISO.
Y'all'll also need the Windows product key for whichever version you chose — this is the 25-digit code that came with your Windows retail box or buy receipt from Microsoft. Information technology may also exist located somewhere on your computer's instance.
We also have an important annotation on Windows 7. While it may exist starting to show its age, Windows 7 is still of occasional utility among ability users looking to replicate or fix erstwhile software — or people who are just stuck in their ways. Windows vii can't upgrade, install, or go along files when installed on a system already running Windows 10, so a fresh install is the only way to achieve such a goal.
Our guide to installing Windows 7 has all links, detailed instructions, and a few caveats virtually using older operating systems that may help you troubleshoot esoteric bug. The Windows eight process is much simpler.
Reverting back to Windows eight.1
One time you lot've finished bankroll up your files and programs, remove all other external storage drives, cards, or discs, and insert the Windows installation disc or drive. Restart your computer and boot it from that bulldoze. Here'south how.
Step 1: This ordinarily requires either entering a keyboard command to open the boot menu or inbound the BIOS (or UEFI on newer systems) and manually selecting the drive. Inbound the BIOS usually requires hitting the Delete fundamental — non the Backspace key — over and over on your keyboard immediately after seeing your calculator's splash screen (normally showing the computer manufacturer). Every estimator is dissimilar, and then consult your motherboard transmission if you congenital the computer yourself or the computer manual to see how to enter the BIOS.
Step two: Once you're in the BIOS, you lot want to expect for a boot social club or a boot override. These settings let yous to choose which device your computer attempts to load beginning. Yous want your Windows installation media loading before your hard bulldoze. For discs, select your CD or DVD drive. For thumb drives, select USB or something similar. Once more, all motherboards and computers are a little different, and so make sure to have your manual handy.
Step 3: The Windows setup process volition then begin. For Windows 8.ane, the outset screen lets you select your language, location, and keyboard localization. Click Next > Install Now. Wait for the setup process to initiate.
Wait for Windows to install
In one case the installer is running, you'll take to complete a few steps. Information technology should take a while as Windows volition demand to erase your hard drive and format it.
Step 1: To brainstorm, click I Accept The License Terms, then Next on the license screen. The next screen has two options: Upgrade and Custom. Choose Custom — the Windows 8.1 installation arrangement cannot upgrade from a newer version of Windows to an older one.
Pace 2: On this screen, you'll have to select the installation drive or partition. If your computer has only 1 hard drive or solid-state drive, then this is the largest partition bachelor. You take two options here: Click the drive and so click Next to preserve erstwhile Windows files in a folder in the new installation. This is useful as a secondary backup method, but it will not keep installed programs, and there may exist compatibility or permission problems with accessing the former files. Generally, it's better to outset fresh by formatting the install drive. Exercise this by clicking Format, and then OK. Wait for the chief bulldoze to exist formatted, and so click Next.
Footstep 3: On the adjacent screen, the setup program will re-create the Windows files from your installation media to your estimator and begin installing the OS itself. This procedure may take some time, and so if you've got something else to exercise for 30 minutes to an hour, it's fine to leave your computer alone, so long as it'south plugged in. Go on an eye on the screen and return when the procedure is finished. Your computer may restart on its ain.
Step 4: After a few minutes, you should see Windows 8.1 begin its first bootup procedure. Hither, you'll select a few settings and personal touches. Simply follow the on-screen instructions, entering your username and password where prompted. Click Finish.
Going dorsum through the Windows settings
Microsoft ended the free upgrade program from Windows 8.one and 7 to Windows x years agone. Even in 2022, though, it'due south yet possible to upgrade to Windows x for free. If you've taken advantage of the upgrade, you can hands roll back to Windows viii.one without losing any files. That said, it's still a skillful thought to support everything just in case.
The procedure used to work up to xxx days after the upgrade, but ever since the Windows x Anniversary Update, that's been reduced to but 10 days later the update. In that location are some claims about methods of extending that, but nosotros wouldn't rely on them.
Regardless, after the allotted time, the Os volition delete the previous OS files to make room on the hard bulldoze. If you've run Windows x'due south deejay cleanup operation, it may take prematurely deleted those files already, but only if you ran it manually.
This process also won't let you whorl back to Windows 8, only Windows eight.1. Part of the Windows ten upgrade process involves moving to viii.1, and then that's technically the last OS installed on the system. If you want Windows 8 proper, you'll take to employ the instructions in a higher place, and fifty-fifty and so, only if y'all have the original installation media and plough off updates.
Stride one: Go to the chief Settings *menu in Windows 10, click *Recovery, then click Go Back to Windows 8.1 or Get Back to Windows 7 and follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 2: Before any instructions popular up, though, you'll see a question asking why you want to return to an earlier Windows version. You can answer yet you'd like. It won't impact your recovery procedure; Windows is just collecting data. A message volition and then inform you that your files won't become anywhere in this process. While information technology'southward right that your files won't disappear, information technology's notwithstanding up to you lot to reinstall applications and restore customized settings properly.
Footstep 3: Reverting to an earlier Windows tin can sometimes revert your password, so go along that in mind when the screen prompts a password to log in. You might demand to use your old password if you changed to a new one when you upgraded to Windows x.
When you're set up to begin the recovery procedure, select Go Dorsum to Previous Windows, and the system will starting time rolling back. This operation will take a while, and your computer will reboot several times.
Uninstalling Windows 11
If your PC came with Windows eleven, then you might want to follow some of these steps and go back to Windows ten. Again, keep in mind that your new PC might have components not supported by legacy operating systems, then we advise against downgrading. We have two guides for this. 1 for how to uninstall Windows 11, and another i for how you can install Windows 11.
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Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-uninstall-windows-10/
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