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The Windows 11 Go back option only lasts 10 days after you upgrade. Once that window closes, Windows deletes the old Windows 10 files, and trying to force a downgrade often fails with INSTALL_ROLLBACK 0x800f0922. This guide explains why that happens and shows you how to return to Windows 10 safely, keeping all of your personal files.
Quick answer: After the 10-day rollback period, the only reliable way back to Windows 10 is a clean install. Back up your files first, create a Windows 10 USB drive, install Windows 10, and then restore your files. Done this way, you lose no data.

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What does INSTALL_ROLLBACK 0x800f0922 mean?

0x800f0922 means Windows Setup could not finish the installation, so it undid every change and went back to your previous system. INSTALL_ROLLBACK is the setup phase where that undo happens. When you try to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10, you usually see this error because:
  • The rollback period has ended. The C:\Windows.old folder that holds Windows 10 has been deleted, so there is nothing to restore.
  • Windows Setup does not support an in-place downgrade. Running Windows 10 setup from inside Windows 11 cannot keep your apps and files.
  • The System Reserved (EFI) partition is too small to hold the new boot files.
  • A VPN, antivirus, or poor internet connection blocks Setup from downloading the files it needs.

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Before you start

A clean install erases the drive you install Windows 10 on. Back up everything first. This is the step that makes the downgrade happen with no data loss.
Check that you have:
  • An external hard drive or cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive) with enough space for your files
  • A USB flash drive of 8 GB or more (it will be wiped)
  • Your Windows 10 product key, if your PC did not come with Windows preinstalled. Most PCs that upgraded for free activate automatically with a digital license.
  • Installers or a list of the apps you need to reinstall
  • Your saved passwords and browser bookmarks (sign in to your browser to sync them)
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Windows 10 still works, but it no longer gets free security updates unless you enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU). Keep this in mind before you downgrade.

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Step 1: Check if you can still use “Go back”

If you upgraded fewer than 10 days ago, use the built-in option. It keeps your files and apps.
1

Open Recovery settings

Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
2

Select Go back

Under Recovery options, select Go back and follow the prompts.
If the button is grey or missing, the rollback period has ended. Continue with Step 2.

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Step 2: Back up all your files

1

Copy your personal folders

Copy Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, Music, and Videos from C:\Users\YourName to your external drive.
2

Save other important data

Export browser bookmarks, game saves, email data (Outlook .pst files), and any work files stored outside your user folder.
3

Confirm the backup

Open a few files from the external drive to make sure they copied correctly.
Turning on OneDrive backup (Settings > Accounts > Windows backup) is an easy extra layer of protection for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.

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Step 3: Create a Windows 10 bootable USB

1

Download the Media Creation Tool

Go to Microsoft’s official Download Windows 10 page and download the Media Creation Tool.
2

Run the tool

Accept the license terms and choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
3

Pick language and edition

Choose your language, Windows 10, and 64-bit (x64). Pick the same edition you had before (Home or Pro).
4

Create the USB

Select USB flash drive, choose your USB drive, and wait for the tool to finish.

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Step 4: Install Windows 10

1

Boot from the USB

Plug in the USB drive and restart your PC. Press the boot menu key while it starts (often F12, F11, F8, or Esc, depending on your PC brand) and choose the USB drive.
2

Start setup

Choose your language and keyboard, then select Install now.
3

Skip the product key if needed

If your PC has a digital license, select I don’t have a product key. Windows 10 will activate automatically once you connect to the internet.
4

Choose Custom install

Select Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
5

Select the drive

Select the partition where Windows 11 is installed (usually the largest one, marked Primary), choose Format or Delete, then select Next.
6

Finish setup

Windows 10 installs and restarts a few times. Complete the setup screens and sign in.

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Step 5: Restore your files and apps

  1. Connect your external drive and copy your files back to their folders.
  2. Reinstall your apps from their official websites or the Microsoft Store.
  3. Run Windows Update to get the latest drivers.
  4. Check activation in Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
That’s it. You’re back on Windows 10 with all your personal files.

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How to fix 0x800f0922 if it still appears

If you see 0x800f0922 during the Windows 10 installation or a later update, try these fixes.
VPNs and third-party antivirus tools can block Windows Setup. Turn them off, run setup again, and turn them back on afterward.
Use a stable wired or Wi-Fi connection. Setup downloads extra files during installation, and a dropped connection can trigger a rollback.
Running setup.exe from inside Windows 11 often triggers INSTALL_ROLLBACK. Booting from the USB drive (Step 4) avoids this.
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
Restart your PC and try again.
If the EFI or System Reserved partition is full, setup cannot write boot files. A clean install where you delete all partitions on the system drive creates fresh partitions with the right size.

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Tip: Extend the rollback period next time

You can give yourself up to 60 days to go back after a future upgrade. Run this in an administrator Command Prompt right after upgrading, while the Go back option still works:
Extend rollback window
To see how many days you currently have:
Check rollback window

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, but not with the Go back button. You need a clean install of Windows 10. Back up your files first so you lose no data.
A clean install erases the system drive, but your files stay safe if you back them up to an external drive or cloud storage before you start.
Usually not. If your PC ran Windows 10 before the upgrade, its digital license reactivates Windows 10 automatically.
Windows Setup could not complete the installation, so it rolled back. During a downgrade, this usually means the rollback period ended or you ran setup from inside Windows 11.
Windows 10 still runs, but its free support ended on October 14, 2025. Enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU) or plan to move back to Windows 11 for ongoing security updates.