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# Downgrade to Windows 10 After the Rollback Period, With No Data Loss

> Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 after the 10-day rollback period without losing data, and fix the INSTALL_ROLLBACK 0x800f0922 error step by step.

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.

<Info>
  **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.
</Info>

## 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.

## Before you start

<Warning>
  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**.
</Warning>

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)

<Note>
  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.
</Note>

## 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.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Recovery settings">
    Go to **Settings > System > Recovery**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Go back">
    Under **Recovery options**, select **Go back** and follow the prompts.
  </Step>
</Steps>

If the button is grey or missing, the rollback period has ended. Continue with Step 2.

## Step 2: Back up all your files

<Steps>
  <Step title="Copy your personal folders">
    Copy **Desktop**, **Documents**, **Downloads**, **Pictures**, **Music**, and **Videos** from `C:\Users\YourName` to your external drive.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save other important data">
    Export browser bookmarks, game saves, email data (Outlook `.pst` files), and any work files stored outside your user folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the backup">
    Open a few files from the external drive to make sure they copied correctly.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Turning on **OneDrive backup** (Settings > Accounts > Windows backup) is an easy extra layer of protection for Desktop, Documents, and Pictures.
</Tip>

## Step 3: Create a Windows 10 bootable USB

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the Media Creation Tool">
    Go to Microsoft's official **Download Windows 10** page and download the **Media Creation Tool**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the tool">
    Accept the license terms and choose **Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick language and edition">
    Choose your language, **Windows 10**, and **64-bit (x64)**. Pick the same edition you had before (Home or Pro).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the USB">
    Select **USB flash drive**, choose your USB drive, and wait for the tool to finish.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 4: Install Windows 10

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start setup">
    Choose your language and keyboard, then select **Install now**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Custom install">
    Select **Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the drive">
    Select the partition where Windows 11 is installed (usually the largest one, marked **Primary**), choose **Format** or **Delete**, then select **Next**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish setup">
    Windows 10 installs and restarts a few times. Complete the setup screens and sign in.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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.

## How to fix 0x800f0922 if it still appears

If you see 0x800f0922 during the Windows 10 installation or a later update, try these fixes.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Disconnect VPN and pause antivirus">
    VPNs and third-party antivirus tools can block Windows Setup. Turn them off, run setup again, and turn them back on afterward.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Check your internet connection">
    Use a stable wired or Wi-Fi connection. Setup downloads extra files during installation, and a dropped connection can trigger a rollback.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Install from USB instead of from inside Windows">
    Running `setup.exe` from inside Windows 11 often triggers INSTALL\_ROLLBACK. Booting from the USB drive (Step 4) avoids this.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Repair system files">
    Open **Command Prompt as administrator** and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    sfc /scannow
    ```

    Restart your PC and try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Free up the System Reserved partition">
    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.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## 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:

```bash Extend rollback window theme={null}
DISM /Online /Set-OSUninstallWindow /Value:60
```

To see how many days you currently have:

```bash Check rollback window theme={null}
DISM /Online /Get-OSUninstallWindow
```

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 after 10 days?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will I lose my files when I downgrade?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to buy a Windows 10 license?">
    Usually not. If your PC ran Windows 10 before the upgrade, its digital license reactivates Windows 10 automatically.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does INSTALL_ROLLBACK 0x800f0922 happen?">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is it safe to use Windows 10 now?">
    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.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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