How to downgrade from Windows version 24H2 to 23H2?

You upgraded to Windows 11 version 24H2 (or it installed by itself) and something stopped working: sleep, a game, a driver, a network drive. Windows 11 can take you back to 23H2, but only for a short time after the upgrade and only if the old installation files are still on the PC.

Read this first. Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro reached end of servicing in November 2025; Enterprise and Education editions of 23H2 get updates until November 2026. Going back to 23H2 Home or Pro now means no more security updates, and Windows Update will move the PC to a newer version again. Use a downgrade as a short-term step while you wait for a fix, not as a place to stay. Note that 24H2 Home and Pro also reach end of updates in October 2026.

Why it happens

24H2 is a full feature update, not a monthly patch. Windows replaces the whole system and keeps the previous one in C:\Windows.old so you can return.
By default Windows keeps that option for 10 days. After that, or if Windows.old is deleted (by Disk Cleanup, Storage Sense or a reset), the Go back option disappears.
Microsoft offers downloads only of current Windows 11 versions, so after the 10 days there is no official 23H2 Home or Pro installation media to reinstall from.

Fix 1: Use Go back in Settings (within 10 days)

Your files stay. Apps and settings changed after the upgrade are lost. Back up important files anyway: Back up your files (Windows Backup, File History, Time Machine).

Open Settings > System > Recovery.
Next to Go back, click Go back. If the button is missing or greyed out, the 10 days have passed or Windows.old was removed; see the FAQ.
Pick a reason and click Next.
When asked to check for updates, click No, thanks.
Read the next two screens and click Next on each. Make sure you know the password of the account you used before the upgrade.
Click Go back to earlier build. The PC restarts and the process takes a while; keep a laptop on its charger.
When done, run winver (Win + R) and confirm version 23H2.

Go back returns to the version you had right before the upgrade. If you went from 23H2 straight to 24H2, that is 23H2.

Fix 2: Go back with a command

If the Settings page does not respond, the same rollback can be started from Command Prompt as administrator.

Check how many days are left:
```
DISM /Online /Get-OSUninstallWindow
```
Start the rollback:
```
DISM /Online /Initiate-OSUninstall
```
Confirm the restart.

If Windows does not start at all, open the recovery environment (it appears after two or three failed starts) and choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates > Uninstall latest feature update.

Fix 3: Extend the 10-day limit before it runs out

If you just upgraded and want more time to decide, extend the window while it is still open. It cannot bring back an option that has already expired.

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Run (any value from 2 to 60 days, counted from the upgrade):
```
DISM /Online /Set-OSUninstallWindow /Value:60
```
Do not delete Windows.old and do not use the "Previous Windows installation(s)" option in Disk Cleanup during this time.

Fix 4: Stay on 23H2 after going back (Pro, Enterprise, Education)

After a rollback Windows Update offers the newer version again. On Pro and higher you can pin the version with Group Policy: Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
Open Select the target Feature Update version, set it to Enabled, type Windows 11 as the product version and 23H2 as the target version.
Click OK and restart.

Windows Home has no Group Policy. On any edition this only delays the move: an unsupported version gets no security fixes, so set the target to a supported version once your problem is fixed.

Fix 5: Fix the 24H2 problem instead

When Go back is no longer available, the practical path is to repair 24H2 or move forward to 25H2:

Install all updates in Settings > Windows Update, including optional driver updates. Many early 24H2 issues were fixed in later monthly updates.
Update or roll back the driver of the device that misbehaves (sleep and wake issues are often chipset, graphics or network drivers): Update, roll back or reinstall a driver.
Repair system files: Run DISM and SFC to repair Windows system files.
If Windows itself is damaged, reinstall the current version over itself and keep your files: Reinstall Windows without losing files.

Frequently asked questions

The Go back option is missing. Can I still return to 23H2?

Not with your files and apps kept. The only way is a clean installation from 23H2 media, which erases the drive, and Microsoft no longer offers 23H2 downloads for Home and Pro. ISO files from unofficial sites may be modified and are not safe to use.

Will I lose my files when I go back?

Go back keeps personal files. Apps installed and settings changed after the upgrade are removed. Make a backup first in case the rollback fails.

Can I go from 25H2 back to 24H2?

On PCs that got 25H2 through Windows Update on top of 24H2, it arrives as a small enablement package; look for it under Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates. If you upgraded with full installation media, use Go back within 10 days. Keep in mind that 24H2 Home and Pro get no updates after October 2026.