How to Roll Back Windows 11 25H2 Update to 24H2

If your PC started acting up after installing the Windows 11 25H2 update — maybe apps crash, drivers misbehave, or performance dropped — you’re not alone. While 25H2 brings useful new features, large updates sometimes introduce compatibility or stability issues, especially on older hardware.

The good news is that Windows 11 includes a built-in option to roll back to the previous version (24H2) as long as it’s within a specific time window. In this guide, we’ll show you how to safely downgrade from Windows 11 25H2 to 24H2, step-by-step, without losing your personal files.

Roll Back Windows 11 25H2 Update to 24H2

You’ll need:

• A Windows 11 PC that was upgraded from 24H2 to 25H2 (not a clean install).
• Administrator access.
• The Windows.old folder still present on your system drive (C:).

Tip: You can only roll back within 10 days of installing the update. After that, Windows automatically deletes the previous version’s files to free up disk space.

Step 1: Check If You Can Still Roll Back

Before you begin, confirm whether the rollback files are still available.

1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
2. Go to your C: drive.
3. Look for a folder named Windows.old.

If this folder exists, you can proceed. If it’s missing, you’ll need to reinstall 24H2 manually using an ISO or installation media (see Step 8).

Step 2: Open the Recovery Settings

Windows 11’s recovery options include a direct rollback tool designed for situations like this.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to System → Recovery.
3. Under Recovery options, look for Go back.

If the Go back button is active, you’re in luck — you can revert to 24H2 in just a few steps. If it’s grayed out, skip to Step 8 for the clean install method.

Step 3: Start the Rollback Process

1. Click Go back under the Recovery section.
2. Windows will ask why you’re going back — choose any reason (for example, “Earlier builds seemed more reliable”) and click Next.
3. On the next screen, select No, thanks when prompted to check for updates.
4. Follow the prompts and click Next several times.
5. Finally, click Go back to earlier build.

Your PC will restart and begin restoring Windows 11 24H2. The process usually takes 15–30 minutes depending on your hardware speed

Step 4: Wait for the Rollback to Complete

During the rollback, your system will reboot several times. Avoid turning off your PC or disconnecting power during this process.

Once complete, you’ll be signed back into your previous Windows 11 24H2 environment with your files and most settings intact.

Step 5: Verify the Version After Downgrade

After rolling back, confirm that your PC is running 24H2 again.

1. Press Windows + R, type winver, and press Enter.
2. A window will appear showing your version.
   • If it reads Version 24H2, the rollback was successful.

You can now reapply any drivers or updates that worked better on this version.

Step 6: Pause Updates to Avoid Automatic Reinstallation

Windows may attempt to reinstall 25H2 automatically. To prevent that:

1. Open Settings → Windows Update.
2. Click Pause updates for 5 weeks (or as long as available).
3. Alternatively, click Advanced options → Optional updates, and uncheck any feature updates listed.

This gives you time to wait for Microsoft to release bug fixes or improved stability patches for 25H2 before reinstalling it.

Step 7: Free Up Disk Space (Optional)

The Windows.old folder can take up 20–30 GB of space. If you’re happy with your rollback, you can safely delete it.

1. Press Windows + S, search for Disk Cleanup, and open it.
2. Select C: and click OK.
3. Click Clean up system files.
4. Check Previous Windows installation(s) and click OK → Delete Files.

This permanently removes the backup from your drive.

Step 8: If Rollback Option Is Unavailable — Reinstall Windows 11 24H2 Manually

If the Go back button is grayed out or the Windows.old folder is missing, you can still return to 24H2 using an installation image.

Option 1: Use an ISO File

1. Download the official Windows 11 24H2 ISO from Microsoft’s website or a trusted source.
2. Mount the ISO (right-click → Mount) and run setup.exe.
3. Choose Keep personal files and apps (optional) during installation.
4. Follow the prompts to install 24H2.

Option 2: Create a Bootable USB

1. Use the Media Creation Tool to make a bootable USB with Windows 11 24H2.
2. Boot from the USB (press F12, F9, or Del during startup).
3. Choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced).
4. Select your system partition (C:) and install Windows.

After installation, reinstall your apps and restore your files if necessary.

Step 9: Reinstall Drivers and Updates (Optional)

After downgrading, it’s a good idea to reinstall hardware drivers to ensure full compatibility.

1. Open Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.
2. Install available Driver updates for your graphics, audio, or network adapters.
3. Visit your manufacturer’s support website for the latest drivers if needed.

This ensures your system runs smoothly on the restored version.

Step 10: Create a System Image for Future Safety

To avoid similar headaches after future updates, create a full system backup while your PC is working well.

1. Open Control Panel → Backup and Restore (Windows 7).
2. Click Create a system image on the left.
3. Choose an external drive and follow the wizard.

You can restore this image anytime without relying on the 10-day rollback limit.

Wrapping Up

Rolling back from Windows 11 25H2 to 24H2 is straightforward as long as the Windows.old folder is still present. Within 10 days of upgrading, you can easily revert to the previous version through the built-in Go back option in Settings — without losing personal data.

If that window has passed, performing a clean or repair installation using the 24H2 ISO is your best alternative.

Once restored, remember to pause updates or delay feature upgrades to prevent 25H2 from automatically reinstalling until Microsoft resolves any issues affecting your system.