- Open Settings > System > Recovery and click “Go Back.” Skip the update check, follow on-screen directions, and click “Go back to the early build” to roll back to Windows 11 23H2 from 24H2.
- To remove Windows 11 24H2 if your computer doesn’t start, boot into WinRE and open Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates > Uninstall latest feature update, click the “Uninstall feature update” button to roll back to Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10.
If you notice performance issues, compatibility problems, unknown bugs, or errors after upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, you can uninstall the feature update and roll back to the previous version in two different ways from the recovery settings.
If the computer still starts correctly and you have access to the desktop, you can use the “Recovery” settings to uninstall version 24H2. On the other hand, if the device is dealing with boot problems and won’t start, you can still remove the feature update through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRe).
Regardless of the method, you can only revert to the previous version during the first ten days after the upgrade. After this period, Windows 11 will delete the files from the previous installation to free up space and accommodate more of your files.
If you want to downgrade after the ten-day period, you can take two different approaches. You can restore the system from a backup or perform a clean installation using the older version of the operating system.
It’s important to note that after uninstalling the Windows 11 2024 Update, you may need to reinstall some apps, and you may lose the settings configured while using the newer release.
In this guide, I will teach you the steps for rolling back to Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10 after upgrading to version 24H2.
- Revert to a previous version from Windows 11 24H2
- Roll back Windows 11 24H2 when your computer won’t start
Revert to a previous version from Windows 11 24H2
To uninstall Windows 11 24H2, use these steps:
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Open Settings on Windows 11.
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Click on System.
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Click the Recovery page on the right side.
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Click the Go back button under the “Recovery options” section.
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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 button.
Once you complete the steps, the 24H2 update will be removed from the computer, reverting the system to the previous version and keeping your files and most of your settings and apps.
If the recovery option shows the “this option is no longer available on this PC” message or the “Go button” is grayed out, you will need to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 or Windows 10 and restore the files from a backup.
Roll back Windows 11 24H2 when your computer doesn’t start
To uninstall Windows 11 24H2 when the computer doesn’t boot correctly, use these steps:
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Press the power button.
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You see the blue Windows logo immediately after the Power-On Self-Test (POST). Press and hold the power button again to interrupt the booting process and shut down the computer.
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Repeat steps 1 and 2 twice. (In the third restart, the operating system should enter the Windows Recovery Environment.)
Quick tip: If you can’t access the environment, you can use these other methods to enter WinRE. -
Click the Advanced options button.
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Click on Troubleshoot.
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Click on Advanced options.
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Click on Uninstall Updates.
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Click the “Uninstall latest feature update” option.
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Sign in using your administrator credentials (if applicable).
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Click the “Uninstall feature update” button to remove Windows 11 24H2.
After you complete the steps, the computer will uninstall the Windows 11 2024 Update and roll back to the previous version. The process should not take more than 10 minutes.
The Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2) is scheduled to launch during the second half of 2024. The new version will be first available for seekers on September 24, 2024, and it will become an optional update for everyone sometime on October 8, 2024.
If you encounter any issues through this process, ask questions in the comments below.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 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. Email him at [email protected].