The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is available starting October 17, 2017, and it’ll automatically download and install on every compatible desktop PC, laptop, and tablet. However, the upgrade to a new version never goes without a glitch on every device because of bugs or compatibility issues.
If in the early days, you’re experiencing problems, see an error or a bug, or you’re just not ready for version 1709, it’s possible to uninstall the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update and go back to the previous version.
In this new release you’re getting a slew of new features and enhancements, such as a new look with the introduction of the Microsoft Fluent Design System, OneDrive File On-Demand, the ability to use voice commands to shutdown your device, new settings options, native support for emojis, anti-ransomware protection, and a lot more.
If your device has been upgraded using Windows Update, Update Assistant, or you use the Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade, you can uninstall the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update using the recovery options.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to rollback your device to the previous version of Windows 10.
- How to uninstall Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
- ‘Go back to the previous version of Windows 10’ option not available
How to uninstall Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
The process to remove the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update from your PC is straightforward, but you should always consider to check for new updates first, as there could be already a fix for the problem you’re having.
If you’re dealing with an specific issue, do your online search, as the problem could have an easy fix. When nothing seems to work, you can use the steps below (or the video above) to get rid of the Windows 10 version 1709.
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Open Settings.
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Click on Update & security.
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Click on Recovery.
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Under “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10,” click the Get started button.
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Answer the question and click Next to continue.
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Windows 10 will offer you the chance to check for updates in case that a new update is available to fix the current issue you’re having. If you’re ready to roll back, click No, thanks to continue.
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Read carefully what’s going to happen when you uninstall the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update from your PC, and click Next to continue.
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Remember that you’ll need the password you used to sign in to your previous version of Windows 10. Click Next to continue.
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Click Go back to earlier build to begin the rollback.
Once you completed the steps, the setup will take over and roll back your PC to the previous version of Windows 10.
‘Go back to the previous version of Windows 10’ not available
If you don’t see the option to go back to a previous version of Windows 10, then a few things may be happening.
Windows 10 automatically saves a copy of the previous version on the C:\ drive, on a folder called Windows.old, on every upgrade in case the installation fails and rollback is necessary.
If the installation completes successfully, the Windows.old folder will stay on your device, and you can use the above instructions to manually remove the Fall Creators Update from your computer.
If you don’t have the Windows.old folder, you won’t be able to uninstall the update using the steps mentioned above.
There is also a chance that you may be trying to uninstall the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update after 10 days of the original installation. The Windows.old folder takes a lot of space on your device, and to free up space for more important files, the OS automatically deletes the Windows.old folder after 10 days. If this is your case, you won’t be able to go back to a previous version.
If you have the Windows.old folder, but you don’t see the option to go back to a previous version. Then there is something else going on in your device. However, you can always downgrade the OS by doing a clean install of Windows 10 using an ISO file that contains the older version you want to use.
Once you’re back on the earlier version, you can try reinstalling the feature update. If you don’t want to upgrade, you can always defer the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update using these steps.
You can also use the following resources to learn more about the Fall Creators Update:
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].