How to use the Windows Device Recovery Tool on a Windows 10 bricked phone

Did you brick your phone running Windows 10 Mobile? Use the Windows Device Recovery Tool to roll back to previous version of the operating system to fix the problem.

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@Pureinfotech
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Windows Phone Recovery Tool for Windows 10 phones

Microsoft recently released a new preview of Windows 10 Mobile, but well knowing that this is an early build and even though the code is very stable, there are known issues and other things that don’t work at this current point in time.

Although, it’s a risk to install the Windows 10 preview on your phone, Microsoft is also making available the Windows Device Recovery Tool to roll back to your previous version of the operating system in case you brick your phone or issues begin to appear.

If you bricked your phone or you just simply want to opt-out of the preview program, follow the steps below to roll back the operating system and remove Windows 10 Mobile.

How to unbrick your Windows 10 Mobile phone

  1. Download and install the Windows Phone Recovery Tool (direct download link) in your PC, and make sure your phone is fully charged.

  2. Launch the tool and the main screen will appear.

  3. Connect your phone using an USB cable to your computer. If your phone hasn’t been detected automatically, disconnect all phones from your PC and press the My phone was not detected button.

  4. If prompted, select the phone manufacturer.

  5. Reconnect the phone to the computer.

  6. Once the software detect your phone follow the on-screen instructions.

  7. If the phone didn’t connect after 60 seconds, try restarting the phone: While the USB still connected, press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time for a few seconds until the phone vibrates, then let go the buttons.

  8. Press Install software and the rollback process will begin.

If everything went as expected, you are now back to Windows Phone 8.1.

Important: Remember that using the Recovery Tool will erase everything stored in your phone, including apps and games, text messages, call history, music, photos, and everything else.

You can install the Windows Device Recovery Tool on any Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 machine.

About the author
Avatar for Mauro Huculak

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].