Can I revert back to Windows 10 if I do a factory reset?


Marscaleb

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OS
Windows 7, 10 and 11
I have a Surface. I can't recall which version, but it's not that old.
I made the mistake of allowing the system to update to Windows 11. I want to revert back to Windows 10, but the system won't let me do it directly.
If I do a factory reset, will it revert back to windows 10? After all, that is how this device came from the factory.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, 10 and 11
A reset remove files or a reset save files at this time should result with a fresh installation of Windows 11.

A factory reset should allow you to return to whatever OEM was installed when you purchased the computer.

In case there are problems you may also be able to return to Windows 10 by a clean or custom install.



To return to Windows 10:

Find a flash drive that you can format ( > or = 8 GB)

Create a bootable flash drive with the Media Creation Tool (MCT:





This I've not yet performed but it may be possible to perform a modified custom install.

If you need to save important files you can try a custom install which saves files to Windows.old.

Once files are in Windows.old you can clean install Windows 10 and then restore files from Windows.old.


 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
    Memory
    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
    Hard Drives
    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Mobile Workstation
Yes. If you do a factory reset, it will take your device back to before you set it up. Once you get it setup again, I would start making backup images with imaging programs such as Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper two name just two programs.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SAM0A87 Samsung SAM0D32
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Yes. If you do a factory reset, it will take your device back to before you set it up. Once you get it setup again, I would start making backup images with imaging programs such as Macrium Reflect or AOMEI Backupper two name just two programs.
Sorry no it doesn't. I upgraded my Surface Pro 6 to Windows 11 and tried to reset it to sell it and it would not reset at all. Kept failing and would not say why. Did the checks and it said Windows files where good. Had to reinstall using a USB stick in the end.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11, Windows 10

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