30-Day Test Drive: Don’t like Windows 10? Take it back!
Microsoft has kept this fact fairly quite, however it’s something any of you who are considering on upgrading to Windows 10. You can try it, and if you don’t like it you can revert your system back to the Windows version you were using before you upgrade – and it only takes about 10 minutes.
But before we go on, this applies only to the free upgrade. You can’t go out and buy Windows 10 and then get your money back if you don’t like it. This “downgrade” offer applies only you install Windows 10 as an upgrade on a PC running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows 8.1.
When you upgrade, Windows keeps a copy of your old version of Windows in a folder called “Windows.old”. As long as you don’t delete that folder you can restore your previous version of Windows directly from within Windows 10. But remember you can only do it if you do it within 30 days of the day you upgraded to Windows 10.
How do you do it?
Click the Start button, find Settings, choose “Update and Security”, then “Recovery”. You’ll see the option to “Go back to Windows 8.1” or the option to “Go back to Windows 7.” depending upon the version from whjch you upgraded.
Now a couple of things before you get things going: This process has been tested but even if it works for 99 of a 100 people, you could be the one. So makes sure you backup your personal files on USB flash drive or external hard drive before you begin. If you’re using a laptop, you can’t do this on batteries – the laptop must be plugged in to a power source.
Once you’ve selected the correct option for, click “Get started” to start the downgrade process.
Once you start, Microsoft will want to know why you didn’t like Windows 10. Tell them why then click “Next” to continue the downgrade. Microsoft will give you plenty of chances to change you mind while the downgrade is in progress. To continue with the downgrade keep clicking “Next”. The process should take less than 20 minutes.
So if you’re on the fence about upgrading and you don’t trust all the glowing reviews, you can install the upgrade and take it for a test drive. If you don’t like it take it back!
I LOVE Windows 10! Even after the severe labor pains I went through to deliver it to my computer. I followed your advice, as I have been doing for years, and bought a laptop with 8.1 on it a couple of weeks before the release of 10. I did save many $$. However, it took me two full days with technical help to upgrade to 10 because my Internet kept dropping. During that troublesome two days, I so regretted not waiting and buying a laptop with 10 pre-installed. However, once installed, it has proven to be every bit as awesome as you and others have described. Labor pains are forgotten. $$$ are in the bank. Life is good.
I wish I could get back. Windows 10 installed…after entering password the desktop screen blinks and blinks and blinks. It is like it is refreshing the screen every second or two. The cursor is the busy symbol…the circle that just goes round and round and never stops. There is no way to access the start menu. Is there any other way to get to the recovery screen? (updated Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 10 through Windows Update).
I don’t know Sue, we did not pre-check your computer. You should be able to use the F11 or F12 keys to get to the recovery partition – or use a friends’ computer to downloaded the Windows download tool… you an create a bootable USB flash drive or a bootable DVD drive and then use it to boot your computer and install Windows 10 locally. If you get 10 installed you can then easily go back to Windows 7 if that is indeed what you want to do.
Thanks for the info…
I’ve tried twice to download and it keeps dropping. I get faded screen, and when I push the power button it claims to be restarting the process only to fade out again and another restart goes back to my previous version. I have 8.1 installed already. As much as I dislike 8.1, seems 10 is going to be a hassle to get.
Since we didn’t do a Windows 10 Pre-check on your computer we don’t know for sure what’s going on. No one we did pre-checks for have had any problems and there have been dozens of them. Sorry. Check the Windows Forums or your computer maker’s support site – perhaps there is some info there to help you.
I installed Windows 10 on my laptop through straight upgrade automatically on Saturday and on my AIO desktop on Sunday evening using the media creation tool loaded to a thumb drive, both running Windows 8.1. I had no problems with either install. The best move I have made since I was not a fan of Windows 8/8.1.
have had around 22 windows 10 update but all failed im the same as a lot of people out there who cannot get this why ive a Toshiba laptop 4 years old update error keeps saying code 80240020 does anyone know what this error code is 1000s of people have the same code and cannot update please help
Best bet is to check with Windows forums, Microsoft, or Toshiba. We didn’t do a Windows 10 Pre-check on your computer so we don’t know what’s going on with it. So far, no one we have done pre-checks for has has any problems with the upgrade.
And another comments …. Out of 20 million, thousands is a small number. If I had 20,000,000 and you needed 10 thousand, that would be pocket change. And guess what else: Who do you think is making the most noise? Those who successfully upgraded or those how had problems? If I buy a computer and like it very much, I can find 10 people with the same computer who hate it. People who are happy and/or satisfied are not as motivated as those with a complaint. It’s how the world works. Microsoft has done a great job with making the upgrade easy and it was a nice gesture making it free for the majority of windows users. Nothing is perfect but ” 1000s” of people complaining is to be expected – most of the 20,000,000 who’ve successfully upgraded so far are not likely to make comments.
As I’ve said, we didn’t do a pre-check on your computer so I’m not sure why you can’t upgrade.
Is this something to worry about with the new Windows 10?
http://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/07/windows-10-shares-your-wi-fi-with-contacts/
We already covered this in our newsletter last Friday. Krebs is a sensationalist; I don’t have any respect for him. He fails to point out that shared with contacts does not mean everyone on your contact list, it means contacts who are in your house can use your wireless – i.e. friends and relatives – hopefully you don’t invite hackers. In any case they never see your password, but are able to use your Wifi. Additionally, he barely mentions the fact that ít’s easy to turn off – it takes 2 seconds.
You really have to be careful at this juncture with Windows 10 being so new – everyone is going to be looking for an angle to attract readers. I found it appalling that Krebs actually buried the fact that your contacts actually have to be within range of your wifi network to use it. The way he tries to spin it – makes it seem like everyone in your contacts list can access your wifi home network and that’s utterly ridiculous.
Be really careful and make sure you take sensationalistic “journalists” with a large grain of salt. Krebs is more interested in gaining readers and in syndication than he is in journalism – after all site visitors and readers equal money – either directly or indirectly.
For more details, see last week’s newsletter at http://thundercloud.net/infoave/premium/2015/newsletter/foxtrot/week-615.htm . Our article has actual screen shots showing how easy it is to turn it off as well as explaining what it’s really for and how it really works.
Thanks,
TC
Windows 10 installed … and, so far so good! Although the download took a loonnngggg time (about 10 hours with many starts and stops), there were no REAL problems at all with the entire process! I think I like it!!!
Downloading problems (slow downloads) are sometimes a problem with the download server…I imagine Microsoft’s servers are pretty busy. Thanks for the update.
Sorry if I am repeating myself. Seems to come as a byproduct of my 77th birthday.
In a sense. Microsoft lied. I have Windows 7 on two computers, and neither could be upgraded to Windows 10. All required service packs were up to date.
On my HP Mini, it was refused due to the CPU, an Intel Atom ™ N270 1.60 GHz. And the other, a Compaq Presario 6027US, again due to the CPU, a venerable Intel Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2.00 GHz
I’ll need to wait and see on my wifes portable PC (but won’t apply without her permission. And the other hasn’t been offered yet with that little 4 way mini-window with the upgrade offer. I suspect mine will be get the offer eventually, as it is an Intel Core i5-3230M CPU @ 2.60 GHz
Keep up the good work!
Bob Early
//I replied to Bob personally via email//
Bob,
Microsoft isn’t out to get you – they don’t know you exist. And they didn’t lie either. You’re required to have Windows 7 SP1 – it does matter if your update are current or not. If you like I can connect to your computer and tell you why you can’t upgrade. The one thing I know for sure is Microsoft isn’t going to single you out and ” lie “.
Additionally, you don’t have to have the upgrade icon showing. You can download the upgrade and install it directly or you can create a USB or DVD from which you can install Windows.
As of now over 20 million people, most of which are Windows 7 users – have upgraded successfully including Darcy and me.
So, if you like I can connect to your computer (no charge) and tell you why you can’t upgrade, if you like. Our priority is providing factual information – and if I found out that you were using Windows 7 SP1, with a valid genuine Windows license and with adequate hard drive space and RAM for the upgrade, I’d be glad to write an article informing others that it’s possible you can have Windows 7 SP1 and not be able to upgrade – and then try to learn the answer as to why.
You can contact about connecting to your computer me by replying to this email.
Thanks,
TC
I like windows 10 however this is the first time I had a major freeze with my computer. Usually I did have problems with my old windows but they went away but this one is bugging me !windows 10 is faster in ways but something is missing wonder what anyway I like windows 10!
I am waiting to upgrade to Windows 10. My Sony Vaio laptop Wndows 7 with SP1 on says I have to wait until they update some drivers. Can I believe this or should I go ahead and just update to Windows 10 anyway. They gave a date as August 2015 when they will upgrade drivers for this. I am confused. But will wait until I hear back from you as to what to do. My computer was checked by you all and I was told it was ready for update to Windows 10.
We understand that the problem is with the network card Broadcom Virtual WiFi adapter. Once those using Sony computers with that network adapter install Windows 10, they won’t be able to access the Internet. The work around, should this happen to you, is to buy a USB network adapter for $20 until the driver is updated for Windows 10. However, you could just save yourself the hassle and wait until Sony fixes the drivers. After all, Windows 10 is free up to July 29, 2016.
I installed Windows 10 with no trouble, and am finding it fairly easy to use, except for the browser. I tried to install the Cloudeight start page, but it will not save.
I managed to import my favourites, but after clicking on the e on the task bar, I go to my favourites, click on the shortcut to the site I want, and while showing a loading circle for a few seconds, the page reverts to the first screen again. This happens time after time until I get cross and close it down.
Sometimes a full page of adverts install on what I presume is the start page, and then the links do seem to work more often, but clicking on the ads can produce absolutely no results. Is this me or the installation, please?
I have never liked Bing, and usually de-activate it, but it looks like we are stuck with it this time. I didn’t get a pre-installation check with you because this laptop had been restored to factory default recently.
We are doing a tutorial on this. The page of ‘ads ‘ is what they call their “new tab” page. And Google Chrome and Firefox both run great on Windows 10 – so you’re not stuck with Edge.
My husband just went out and bought a laptop with Windows 8 on it. Yet I had told him to get it with Windows 10. The technician told him that Windows 10 is only free until July 2016 and all those who download it for free will be charged a fee after free download (starting July 2016). Want your input on this.
By the way paid for a check up of my computer by either you or Darcy before downloading Windows 10 but am going on holiday and will only be back beginning of September.
Really need an answer on the first question. Thanks
Your technician is dead wrong. If you upgrade to Windows 10 from a qualifying version of Windows, and you do so before July 29, 2016, Windows 10 is free for the supported life of your device (this is directly from Microsoft). The problem is that anyone can call themselves a technician because they know that most people know very little about computers and they can baffle with techno babble. But Irene, take it from us, we do our homework. You won’t have to pay for Windows 10 as long as you upgrade from a supported version of Windows (Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 and/or Windows 8.1). How long the supported life of a device is anyone’s guess, but it would be measured over years not months.
Windows 10 is the last named/numbered version of Windows. From now one there won’t be any Windows 11, Windows 12, etc. Eventually we will all be running Windows – no name, no number, just Windows. Windows 10 will be kept up to date via updates. And Windows 10 handles updates in a much different way than any of its predecessors…so hopefully we won’t have a repeat of the debacle of Windows 7 and Windows 8 ” Windows Updates “. So tell your tech to do his homework before giving advice or warning people.
Supposedly, those who wait until after July 29, 2016 will have to pay for Windows 10, but I don’t see that happening if they’re upgrading from Windows 7 or 8.1. Microsoft Windows is no longer the most used operating system on Earth – Android is. And Apple, if you count iPad and iPhone, is close. Neither Android or Apple charge for new versions of operating systems -I find it highly unlikely Microsoft will charge for Windows 10 upgrades for show who are using Windows 7 and/or Windows 8.1 and who wait until after July 2016 to upgrade. Would I bet $1000 on it? Nope. Would I bet $20 on it? Yep 😉
No one who upgrades now for free is going to have to pay next year.
I have mixed feelings about Windows Ten and am more than likely going to revert to Windows 7. It seems that in Australia we can’t access Cortana and this fact alone has decided me to revert.
I call that discrimination.
I upgraded to Windows 10 but didn’t like some of the lack of features that I was used to in Windows 8.1. I’m sure that, judging from the complaints being made to Microsoft that I’ve seen, these issues will be fixed or added at some point. Anyway, I reverted back to Windows 8.1 seamlessly. However, during the process, it does say that some things will need to be re-installed. So far, the only thing I’ve discovered that did, was Adobe Reader. Otherwise was quick and painless. Don’t know if I’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 again when things are improved, but for now I will wait until some personalization features, etc. are added back. I was able to get Edge to keep your start page but didn’t like the choice of only having a light or dark theme. Too much white in 10 for me….. Thanks for the info on where to find the downgrade feature. It was very helpful!
Maybe I took the easy way and downloaded the ISO to desktop, about 6 1/2 hrs, then burned to a DVD. This laptop is not my main computer so it was set aside and allowed to download.
Installed the next day, 1 1/2 hrs with no problems. I also have the ISO for future problems.
With your tutorial, help & guidance I finally convinced EDGE to disappear & reverted to IE, Cloud 8 as start page & google as search.
TC, EB thanks for all of your help.
I got the free upgrade! Loved it, raved to everyone how great it was. Now my start menu doesn’t work and Firefox won’t work! I have seen all the fixes, but my cursor just goes in circles, I am at a loss as what to do 🙁 I’d like to keep it, but I’m past frustrated! ! Any ideas please!!!!!
Sounds like you have acquired malware or something worse. Or you have so many programs starting with Windows you have no available RAM so programs become unresponsive and you get the spinning circle icon (wait/working icon). Unless we took a look at your system we would not be able to help you.