Comment rétrograder de Windows 11 à Windows 10 (Guide complet)

Last Updated: juin 2, 2026

Why Would You Want to Downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10?

Windows 11 brought a fresh design and new features, but it’s not for everyone. Many users find themselves wanting to go back to Windows 10 for perfectly valid reasons:

• Hardware compatibility issues — Older peripherals, drivers, or software may not work properly on Windows 11.
• Performance concerns — Some PCs (especially older ones) run noticeably slower on Windows 11.
• Interface frustration — The centered taskbar, simplified right-click menu, and removed features bother many power users.
• Software incompatibility — Certain legacy applications or specialized tools don’t support Windows 11 yet.
• Stability — Windows 10 has had years of refinement and is considered rock-solid by most users.

Whatever your reason, this guide walks you through every method to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 safely.

Method 1: Roll Back Within 10 Days (Easiest)

If you upgraded to Windows 11 less than 10 days ago, Windows keeps your old Windows 10 files and lets you roll back with just a few clicks. This is by far the easiest method.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Settings (press Win + I).
2. Go to System → Recovery.
3. Under “Recovery options,” find “Go back” and click the Go back button.
4. Windows will ask why you’re going back — select a reason and click Next.
5. You’ll be offered to check for updates. Click No, thanks to proceed.
6. Read the warnings about what you’ll need to know, then click Next.
7. Click “Go back to Windows 10” to start the rollback.

Your PC will restart and restore Windows 10. This process usually takes 15–30 minutes, and your files and most apps will be preserved.

What If the “Go Back” Option Is Grayed Out?

The rollback option disappears after 10 days because Windows automatically deletes the old installation files (stored in the Windows.old folder). If you’ve passed the 10-day window, you’ll need to use Method 2 below.

Before the rollback window closes: confirm the current Settings > System > Recovery > Go back state and back up first. If Go back is no longer available, plan a clean install instead of depending on an unsupported shortcut.

Method 2: Clean Install Windows 10 When Go Back Is Unavailable

If the rollback option is not available, a clean install may be the practical route. Treat it as a wipe-and-rebuild path: back up first, use Microsoft installation media, confirm driver support, and plan activation by edition.

What You’ll Need

• A USB drive (8 GB or larger)
• Edition and activation context for the Windows 10 Home or Pro install you plan to run
• A backup of your important files (this process erases everything on the drive)

Step 1: Create Windows 10 Installation Media

1. On a working PC, go to Microsoft’s Windows 10 download page.
2. Download the Media Creation Tool.
3. Run the tool and select “Create installation media for another PC.”
4. Choose your language, edition (Windows 10), and architecture (64-bit).
5. Select USB flash drive and follow the prompts to create the bootable drive.

Step 2: Boot from the USB Drive

1. Insert the USB drive into the PC you want to downgrade.
2. Restart the PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, F12, Del, or Esc during startup).
3. Change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
4. Save and exit — the PC will boot from the USB.

Step 3: Install Windows 10

1. Select your language and click Next.
2. Click “Install now.”
3. Enter a product key only when you know the installed Windows 10 edition matches the activation route, or choose “I don’t have a product key” and activate after setup is stable.
4. Select Windows 10 Pro ou Windows 10 Home depending on your key.
5. Accept the license terms.
6. Choose “Custom: Install Windows only” for a clean installation.
7. Select the drive/partition where Windows is currently installed, click Format, then click Next.
8. Wait for the installation to complete. Your PC will restart several times.

Step 4: Activate Windows 10

After installation, activate your copy:

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
2. Click “Change product key” and enter your key.
3. Click Activate.

If activation is still needed after the downgrade facts are clear, start with the Windows key hub, Windows 10 Home vs Pro guide, Windows product-key FAQ, and private support evidence checklist.

Important Things to Know Before Downgrading

Back Up Your Data

A clean install erases everything on your system drive. Back up documents, photos, downloads, and any other important files to an external drive or cloud storage before proceeding.

Driver Compatibility

After installing Windows 10, some drivers may need to be reinstalled. Visit your PC manufacturer’s website to download Windows 10-compatible drivers for your hardware.

Windows 10 Support Timeline

Microsoft says Windows 10 support has ended as of October 14, 2025. A downgraded PC may still run, but security-update options, ESU eligibility, and business risk should be checked before using Windows 10 as a long-term setup.

Check the Digital License and Edition History

If the device previously had a Windows 10 Home or Pro digital license, it may reactivate after the matching edition is installed. If it originally shipped only with Windows 11, confirm license rights, edition fit, and exact activation wording before assuming a downgrade will activate automatically.

Should You Downgrade?

Downgrading makes sense if Windows 11 is causing real problems — performance issues, software incompatibility, or workflow disruption. But if your only complaint is the new Start menu, consider customizing Windows 11 with third-party tools before going through a full reinstall.

If you do decide to downgrade, treat Windows 10 as a compatibility path that needs current security, driver, and activation checks.

What to Check Before Choosing a Windows 10 License

If the downgrade is for compatibility, make sure you are returning to the edition the device should actually run. Windows 10 reached the end of standard support on October 14, 2025, so treat it as a compatibility decision rather than the default path for a new PC.

Windows 10 Pro vs Home is the better route when the machine already used Pro features or needs the same business-side tools again after the downgrade.

Windows product-key FAQ is usually the safer next stop for older home PCs that just need a familiar consumer setup, because it separates edition fit from buying and activation troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 without losing files?

Only if you use the built-in rollback option within 10 days of the upgrade. After that, a clean install is usually required, so you should back up the machine first.

Do I need a new product key for Windows 10?

If the machine already had a valid Windows 10 digital license, it may reactivate automatically. If it does not, compare the current Windows 10 Pro ou Windows 10 Home page based on the edition you actually need.

Is Windows 10 still safe to use in 2026?

Windows 10 standard support ended on October 14, 2025. The system still runs, but you should treat it as a compatibility choice and review Microsoft's current security-update options for your case.

Can I move back to Windows 11 later?

Yes. If the hardware qualifies and the compatibility issues are gone, you can use Microsoft's current Windows 11 installation path later.

How long does a clean install of Windows 10 take?

The operating system installation often finishes in 20 to 45 minutes, but you should also budget time for drivers, updates, app reinstalls, and post-install checks.