Upgrading to Windows 10 Pro may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but now you find yourself needing to downgrade back to Windows 10 Home. Whether it’s for compatibility issues or simply a preference, downgrading from Windows 10 Pro to Home is a relatively simple process. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to downgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Home.
Check Your Current Version
Before beginning the downgrade process, it’s important to check which version of windows 10 you are currently running. To do this, go to the Start menu and type “winver” in the search bar. This will bring up a window that displays your current version of Windows 10. If it says “Pro” next to the version number, then you are running Windows 10 Pro.
Backup Your Data
Before proceeding with the downgrade, it’s important to backup all of your important data. This includes documents, photos, and any other files that you may need. You can backup your data by transferring it to an external hard drive, using a cloud storage service, or by creating a system image using the built-in Windows Backup and Restore feature.
Download the Windows 10 Home Installation Media
Next, you will need to download the Windows 10 Home installation media. This can be done by going to the Microsoft website and downloading the Media Creation Tool. Once downloaded, run the tool and select “Create installation media for another PC”. Follow the prompts and select “Windows 10 Home” as the version and “USB flash drive” as the media type.
Boot from the USB Drive
Once the installation media has been created, you will need to boot your computer from the USB drive. To do this, restart your computer and enter the BIOS menu by pressing the designated key (usually F2 or Delete) during startup. In the BIOS menu, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive. Save the changes and exit the BIOS menu.
Begin the Downgrade Process
After your computer has booted from the USB drive, you will be prompted to choose your language and keyboard settings. Once selected, click “Next” and then “Install Now”. On the next screen, click “I don’t have a product key” and then select “Windows 10 Home” as the version to install. Follow the prompts to complete the installation process.
Activate Windows 10 Home
Once the installation is complete, you will need to activate Windows 10 Home. To do this, go to the Start menu and type “activation” in the search bar. Select “Activation settings” and then click on “Change product key”. Enter the product key for your Windows 10 Home version and click “Next”. Your Windows 10 Home version should now be activated.
Restore Your Data
Now that you have successfully downgraded to Windows 10 Home, you can restore your backed up data. Simply transfer your files back to your computer or use the Windows Backup and Restore feature to restore your system image.
By following these steps, you can easily downgrade from Windows 10 Pro to Home. Remember to always backup your data before making any major changes to your operating system. Have you successfully downgraded from Windows 10 Pro to Home? Let us know in the comments.
