If you’ve made the leap to Windows 11 24H2 and found yourself encountering frustrating issues, worry not! You can effectively revert back to version 23H2 using the built-in recovery options or by undertaking a clean installation. This guide will empower you with step-by-step instructions to ensure a successful rollback.
For those who upgraded less than ten days ago, the straightforward path lies within the “Recovery” settings. However, if your upgrade occurred over a week ago, you may encounter obstacles due to the automatic deletion of previous installation files, necessitating a clean install using the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file.
Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer provides direct downloads for the 23H2 ISO. Nonetheless, you can obtain it using a third-party script from UUP Dump that connects to Microsoft’s servers for the required installation files.
Before proceeding with the rollback, it’s imperative to consider that uninstalling Windows 11 24H2 could result in reinstalling some apps and potentially losing custom settings established during its usage. Opting for a clean installation will erase all your files, settings, and applications, necessitating a restoration process from a backup.
This guide encompasses the essential steps to assist you in rolling back to Windows 11 23H2 effectively:
Rollback to version 23H2 from Windows 11 24H2 using Recovery Settings
To revert to version 23H2, follow these structured steps:
- Launch Settings from the Start menu.
- Select System.
- Navigate to the Recovery section on the right.
- Click on the Go back option under the “Recovery options” area.
- Hit the Next button.
- Choose No, thanks when prompted.
- Proceed by clicking Next again.
- Click Next once more.
- Finally, hit the Go back button to initiate the rollback.
Upon completing these steps, Windows 11 2024 Update will be uninstalled, reverting your system back to version 23H2 while retaining your files and most settings.
If the recovery option displays the message “this option is no longer available on this PC” or is grayed out, you will then need to perform a clean installation using the subsequent section’s instructions.
Rollback to version 23H2 from Windows 11 24H2 using ISO file
To downgrade using the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file, adhere to the following steps:
- Visit the UUP Dump webpage.
- Select Windows 11 and then the version “23H2” option (with build number 22631).
- Choose the latest (x64) ISO file to download, for example, Windows 11, version 23H2 (22631.xxxx) amd64.
- Select your desired installation language from the “Language” menu.
- Click on Next.
- Choose the editions you wish to include in the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file.
- Click Next to proceed.
- Select the “Download and convert to ISO” option to begin the download process.
- Make sure to check the “Include updates (Windows converter only)” setting to integrate essential updates into the ISO file.
- Click “Create download package” to save the tool onto your device.
- Open the downloaded zip file using File Explorer.
- Select Extract all within the zip folder.
- Choose a location to extract the files and confirm by clicking Extract.
- Find the uup_download_windows.cmd batch file, right-click, and select Run as administrator.
- After the process concludes, press 0 or q to exit the command window.
- Right-click the Windows 11 23H2 ISO file located in the UUP folder and select Mount.
- Select your newly mounted drive from the left pane.
- Locate and double-click on Setup.exe to begin the installation process for the older Windows version.
- If prompted, you can adjust how Windows Setup downloads updates by clicking on “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” .
- Select “Not right now” for a quicker setup process.
- Click the Next button to proceed.
- Accept the terms by clicking Accept.
- When prompted, select Nothing to proceed with a clean install (this is the only available option).
- Select Next.
- Click Install to begin the clean installation.
- Hit Next again.
- Choose your regional settings during the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) setup.
- Click Yes to confirm.
- Select your keyboard layout setting.
- Click Yes once more.
- Skip the secondary layout configuration by clicking Skip.
- If connected via Ethernet, the system will automatically recognize the network. For wireless connections, manual setup may be required (be prepared to enter a security key).
- (Optional) Assign a name for your PC.
- Click Next (the computer will restart automatically).
- Select “Set up for personal use” on the Windows 11 Pro edition. This option is not applicable for the Home edition.
- Proceed by clicking Next.
- Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
- Click Next after entering your email.
- Confirm your Microsoft account password, then click Next.
- Proceed by clicking the Create PIN button.
- Establish a new four-digit Windows Hello PIN.
- Click the OK button to finalize the PIN setup.
- Review each privacy setting and adjust the toggles to your preference.
- Continue by clicking Next.
- Click Next once more.
- Click the Accept button to agree to the privacy settings.
- On the next screen, click on More options.
- Select “Set up as a new PC” to continue.
- Repeat the selection for “Set up as a new PC” to confirm.
- (Optional) During the “Let’s customize your experience” phase, pick any applicable uses for more tailored suggestions.
- Click Accept to move forward or Skip if you wish.
- (Optional) Link your Android device or choose to Skip.
- (Optional) Optionally link your OneDrive to your smartphone or Skip this step.
- If using a browser other than Microsoft Edge, click on Not now.
Upon completing these comprehensive steps, your rollback to Windows 11 23H2 from version 24H2 will be successful.
After the installation, it’s crucial to check for updates and manually install any missing drivers. You will also want to restore any files you backed up, as well as reinstall your applications.
While rolling back to an earlier version may seem a helpful short-term solution, it’s important to remember that eventually, you should embrace new updates to ensure continued support and security. Windows 11 23H2, for instance, will reach its end of support on November 11, 2025 – beyond which all security and maintenance updates will cease. Therefore, it’s wise to keep track of the stability of future releases and upgrade when feasible to maintain your system’s integrity.
Why have you decided to roll back to Windows 11 23H2? Which method did you opt for? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
Additional Insights
1. What should I do if I encounter problems during the rollback process?
If you face issues while rolling back, double-check the compatibility of your files, ensure your backups are intact, and consider seeking further assistance through Windows forums or professional tech support based on the nature of your problem.
2. Is my data safe during the recovery rollback?
Utilizing the recovery rollback option from Settings generally retains your files and most of your configurations. However, it’s always prudent to back up essential data before attempting any major Windows modification.
3. How can I prevent issues with future Windows updates?
To minimize issues with future Windows updates, periodically check for patches and updates for the applications you use, ensure that your device drivers are up to date, and participate in relevant user forums for best practices on maintaining system stability.
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