Alright, let's dive into how you can roll back your Windows 11 installation to version 22H2. It's understandable that sometimes a newer update might not play well with your system or workflow, and going back to a more familiar version can be a good solution.
Before We Begin: A Crucial First Step
Have you recently upgraded to a newer version of Windows 11, like 23H2, within the last ten days? If the answer is yes, you're in luck! Windows often provides a built-in rollback option that's the easiest and most straightforward method. If it's been longer than ten days, or if this option isn't available for some reason, don't worry, we have other avenues to explore.
Let's proceed with the built-in rollback option first, as it's the simplest.
Step 1: Checking the Built-in Rollback Option
This is your first and potentially easiest way to go back to Windows 11 22H2.
Navigating to the Recovery Settings
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard, or click the Start button on your taskbar.
- Type "Settings" and press Enter, or click on the Settings app when it appears in the search results.
- In the Settings window, navigate to System. You'll usually find this at the top of the left-hand sidebar.
- Scroll down in the System settings until you find and click on Recovery.
Initiating the Go Back Process
- Under the "Recovery options" section, look for an option that says something like "Go back to the previous version of Windows". If this option is greyed out or missing, it means either the ten-day rollback period has expired, or the necessary files have been removed.
- If the "Go back" button is available, click on it.
- Windows will then ask you why you want to go back to the previous version. Select the reason that best applies to you and click Next.
- You'll likely see a warning about things you might need to reinstall (like some apps and programs) and that any changes you made after the upgrade will be lost. Read this information carefully and click Next.
- Windows might then prompt you to remember your old password, if you had one. Make sure you know this password before proceeding, and click Next.
- Finally, you'll see a "Go back to the previous build" button. Click this button to begin the rollback process.
Important Note: This process can take some time, so make sure your computer is plugged in and avoid interrupting it. Your computer will restart several times during the rollback.
Step 2: What if the Built-in Option Isn't Available?
If the "Go back" option is greyed out or missing, it means we need to explore other methods. This usually involves having a backup of your system from before the upgrade or performing a clean installation of Windows 11 22H2.
Option A: Restoring from a System Image Backup
This is the most convenient option if you created a full system image backup before upgrading to the newer version of Windows 11.
- Ensure your backup media is connected. This could be an external hard drive or a USB drive where you saved the system image.
- Restart your computer. As it boots up, you'll need to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. The key to enter BIOS/UEFI varies depending on your manufacturer, but it's often one of the following keys: Delete, F2, F12, Esc. Check your motherboard manual if you're unsure.
- In the BIOS/UEFI settings, look for the boot order or boot options. You'll need to configure your system to boot from the media containing your system image.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will restart and boot from your backup media.
- Follow the on-screen instructions provided by your backup software to restore your system from the image you created earlier. This process will overwrite your current Windows installation with the state of your system at the time the backup was created.
Caution: Restoring from a system image will erase all data and changes made since the backup was created. Make sure you've backed up any important files you've created since the upgrade.
Option B: Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 11 22H2
This is a more involved process but guarantees a fresh installation of the desired version.
- Obtain a Windows 11 22H2 ISO file. You can usually download this from Microsoft's website or through other authorized channels. Make sure you are downloading a legitimate and untampered ISO.
- Create a bootable USB drive using the ISO file. You can use tools like the Media Creation Tool (although this usually defaults to the latest version, so ensure you specifically select 22H2 if the option is available) or third-party tools like Rufus or Ventoy.
- Back up all your important data. A clean installation will erase everything on your system drive.
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings as described in Option A.
- Configure your system to boot from the USB drive you created.
- Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your computer will restart and boot from the USB drive.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the Windows 11 installation process.
- When prompted, choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option.
- Select the drive where Windows is currently installed (usually Drive 0) and delete all the partitions on it. This will ensure a completely clean installation.
- Select the unallocated space and click "Next" to begin the installation of Windows 11 22H2.
- Follow the remaining steps to configure your language, keyboard layout, user account, etc.
- Once the installation is complete, you'll need to install drivers for your hardware and reinstall your applications.
Step 3: Post-Rollback Considerations
Once you've successfully rolled back to Windows 11 22H2, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Pause Updates (Temporarily): If you want to stay on version 22H2 for a while, you might want to temporarily pause Windows Updates to prevent it from automatically installing a newer version. You can do this in Settings > Windows Update.
- Monitor System Stability: Keep an eye on your system to ensure everything is running smoothly after the rollback.
- Consider Providing Feedback: If you rolled back due to issues with the newer version, consider providing feedback to Microsoft through the Feedback Hub app. This can help them improve future updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (How to...)
How to check which version of Windows 11 I am currently running?
Quick Answer: Press the Windows key + R, type "winver", and press Enter. The "About Windows" dialog box will show your current version.
How to open the Settings app in Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Press the Windows key + I or search for "Settings" in the Start Menu.
How to access the Recovery options in Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Go to Settings > System > Recovery.
How to create a system image backup in Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Backup and Restore (Windows 7) and follow the prompts to create a system image.
How to create a bootable USB drive for Windows 11?
Quick Answer: You can use the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft or third-party tools like Rufus to create a bootable USB drive from a Windows 11 ISO file.
How to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings on my computer?
Quick Answer: Restart your computer and press the designated key (usually Delete, F2, F12, or Esc) during startup. Check your motherboard manual for the specific key.
How to change the boot order in BIOS/UEFI?
Quick Answer: Navigate through the BIOS/UEFI menus to find the boot order settings. Select your USB drive or backup media as the primary boot device.
How to find and download Windows 11 22H2 ISO file?
Quick Answer: You can usually find this on Microsoft's website or through authorized resellers. Be cautious of unofficial sources.
How to pause Windows Updates in Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Go to Settings > Windows Update, and you'll find options to pause updates for a certain period.
How to provide feedback to Microsoft about Windows 11?
Quick Answer: Open the "Feedback Hub" app (search for it in the Start Menu) and submit your feedback.
Hopefully, this comprehensive guide helps you successfully go back to Windows 11 22H2! Let me know if you have any more questions along the way.