Learn how you can go back to the previous version of Windows you had installed.

Learn about the recovery options in Windows. Find out how to reset your PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use media to reinstall Windows.

With System Restore you can revert your PC's state to a previous point in time. This can be particularly useful when troubleshooting issues caused by recent changes, such as software installations, driver updates, or system settings modifications.

Ten days after you upgrade to Windows, your previous version of Windows will be automatically deleted from your PC. However, if you need to free up drive space, and you’re confident that your files and settings are where you want them to be in Windows, you can safely delete it yourself.

The Windows.old folder contains the previous version of Windows on your device. If you want to remove the previous version after you upgrade, the easiest method is to use Storage sense in the Settings app. Follow the steps below for your version of the Windows operating system.

Resetting your PC in Windows is a powerful feature that allows you to restore your device to its original state, which can be useful whether you're experiencing performance issues, software problems, or simply want a fresh start.

Windows Update recommends a reinstall after an update installation fails If an update fails to install because of problems related to system files or components, you might see the following message in the Windows Update page in Settings: Reinstall your current version of Windows to repair system files and components.

After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.

The Reset this PC feature doesn't create a Windows.old folder. To prevent data loss, Microsoft highly recommends backing up files and settings before upgrading, resetting, refreshing, or reinstalling Windows.

Ten days after you upgrade to Windows, your previous version of Windows will be automatically deleted from your PC. However, if you need to free up drive space, and you’re confident that your files and settings are where you want them to be in Windows, you can safely delete it yourself.