The Windows 11 24H2 update was supposed to be a refinement — faster, smarter, and more AI-integrated than ever. But for thousands of users, it has turned into a frustrating mess. From disappearing drives and random blue screens to games failing to launch and driver incompatibilities, 24H2 has earned the reputation of being one of Microsoft’s most troublesome updates in recent memory.
If you recently upgraded and your PC feels unstable or slower than before, this article will walk you through how to roll back from Windows 11 24H2 to 23H2 — safely, step by step.
We’ll also explain how to extend Microsoft’s hidden rollback window from 10 days to 60 days, what you should back up beforehand, and what to do if that 10-day window has already expired.
1️⃣ Check Which Version of Windows You’re Running
Before doing anything, let’s confirm that you’re actually on Windows 11 24H2. It’s surprisingly easy to mistake 23H2 for 24H2 because Microsoft reuses many visual elements.
Steps:
- Press Start → type winver and hit Enter.
- A small dialog box will appear.
- In the middle of that window, look for:
Version 24H2 (OS Build …)
If you see “24H2,” then you’re on the latest major build — and this rollback guide applies to you.
If you’re still on 23H2 or earlier, you can safely skip ahead to the section on how to delay or block future feature updates.
2️⃣ Understand Microsoft’s 10-Day Rollback Rule
When Windows performs a feature update (for example, from 23H2 → 24H2), it temporarily keeps your previous Windows installation in a folder called Windows.old.
This folder allows you to revert to the earlier version within 10 days of upgrading. After that, Windows automatically deletes the folder to reclaim disk space — permanently removing your rollback option.
Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t exactly advertise this limitation. Many users discover it after the 10-day window has already closed.
The good news? You can manually extend that window up to 60 days, but you must do it before the first 10 days expire.
3️⃣ Extend Your Rollback Window to 60 Days
Let’s move on to the technical part. This requires PowerShell with administrator privileges, but the process is straightforward.
Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator
- Press Start, type PowerShell.
- Right-click it and select Run as administrator.
- If prompted by UAC, click Yes.
Step 2: Check How Many Rollback Days Remain
Copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:
DISM /Online /Get-OSUninstallWindow
This tells you how many days you have left to roll back. If it says 10, you’re still within the default period.
Step 3: Extend the Rollback Period
Now run this command to increase the rollback window:
DISM /Online /Set-OSUninstallWindow /Value:60
You can substitute any number between 10 and 60 for the value, but 60 days is recommended — it gives you time to properly test stability.
Step 4: Verify the Change
Run the first command again:
DISM /Online /Get-OSUninstallWindow
You should now see:
Uninstall Window: 60
That’s it! You’ve successfully extended your rollback window to two months. If any issues surface later, you’ll still have the safety net to return to 23H2.
4️⃣ How to Roll Back Windows 11 24H2 → 23H2
If you’re still within your rollback period, Microsoft includes a built-in recovery option that simplifies the process.
Let’s go through each step carefully.
Step 1: Open the Recovery Settings
- Press Start → Settings.
- Go to System → Recovery.
- Under “Recovery options,” find Go back.
If you see a greyed-out “Go back” button, your rollback period has already expired. Jump to Section 5.
Step 2: Begin the Rollback Wizard
Click Go back.
Windows will ask why you’re reverting — select any reason (it’s only for telemetry). Then click Next.
Step 3: Skip Optional Update Checks
You’ll be asked if you want to check for updates instead. Since 24H2 issues are system-level, this usually won’t help. Choose No, thanks.
Step 4: Review the Warnings
Windows will display several reminders:
- Don’t turn off or unplug your PC during rollback.
- Apps or drivers installed after the upgrade may need to be reinstalled.
- Files created after upgrading may not survive the rollback.
At this stage, take a moment to back up anything important — especially documents, photos, and recent app data. Even though user folders are normally preserved, it’s best to be safe.
Step 5: Confirm Your Password
If you changed your Windows password after upgrading, note that rollback will revert to your old login credentials. Make sure you remember them before continuing.
Step 6: Finalize
Click Go back to earlier build.
Windows will restart and begin reverting to 23H2. The process can take 20–40 minutes depending on system speed.
When complete, you’ll boot back into your previous installation, with most settings intact.
5️⃣ What to Do If You Missed the 10-Day (or 60-Day) Window
If your rollback window has expired, the Go back option will disappear from Recovery settings. In that case, you have only one path left — reinstalling Windows 11 23H2 manually.
Sadly, Microsoft removes older builds from its official servers after each major release, meaning 24H2 is now the only version you can download from the Microsoft Software Download page.
That doesn’t mean 23H2 is gone forever, but you’ll need to obtain its ISO from an alternate trusted source (explained below).
6️⃣ How to Get the Windows 11 23H2 ISO Safely
If you’re reinstalling from scratch, you’ll need a copy of the 23H2 ISO file — the image used to create a bootable installation USB.
Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer hosts it. Some reputable third-party repositories still mirror it, but extreme caution is necessary: unofficial ISO files can be tampered with or bundled with malware.
Here’s the safest approach:
- Check if you already have the ISO
- If you previously downloaded 23H2 with the Media Creation Tool, search your Downloads folder for a file like
Win11_23H2_English_x64.iso. - Verify its authenticity by comparing SHA-256 hashes (Microsoft lists official hashes in archived documentation).
- If you previously downloaded 23H2 with the Media Creation Tool, search your Downloads folder for a file like
- Use trusted archival sites
- Some well-known projects such as UUP Dump allow you to generate official Microsoft ISO builds directly using update packages.
- UUP Dump doesn’t host ISOs itself — it assembles them from Microsoft’s update servers.
- Avoid random file-sharing or torrent links
- Many promise “pre-activated” builds — these are often pirated or contain malicious scripts.
- Stick to verified community sources that use official update mechanisms.
Once you have the correct ISO, use Rufus to create a bootable USB drive and perform a clean 23H2 installation.
7️⃣ Important Precautions Before You Roll Back
Rolling back or reinstalling Windows isn’t inherently dangerous, but it can lead to data loss if you skip proper preparation. Take these precautions seriously.
🗂️ 1. Back Up Everything
Use File History, OneDrive, or an external drive to back up:
- Documents, Pictures, and Downloads folders
- Browser profiles and bookmarks
- Game saves (often stored in
AppData\Roaming) - Email PST files if using Outlook
💽 2. Create a System Restore Point
Even though rollback is supposed to handle restoration automatically, a manual restore point offers extra protection.
Go to Control Panel → System → System Protection → Create Restore Point.
⚙️ 3. Export Your Drivers (Optional)
If you plan to reinstall Windows entirely, back up existing drivers first:
dism /online /export-driver /destination:D:\DriverBackup
This saves all current drivers to a folder on your D: drive, making post-install setup faster.
🔋 4. Plug In Your Device
During rollback, interruptions such as battery failure can corrupt the installation. Always keep your laptop plugged into AC power.
📅 5. Be Patient
Depending on hardware, rolling back can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour. Don’t restart or shut down midway unless absolutely necessary.
8️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will I lose my personal files if I roll back?
Normally, no. Windows keeps user folders intact. However, files created or modified after upgrading may be lost. Always back up important data first.
Q: Can I roll back if I deleted the Windows.old folder?
Unfortunately, no. That folder contains your previous system files. Once deleted (manually or automatically), rollback becomes impossible without reinstalling.
Q: Why does Microsoft limit the rollback window to 10 days?
Disk space and telemetry data retention.
Windows.oldconsumes 20–30 GB, and Microsoft assumes users will decide quickly whether an update works.
Q: What if rollback fails midway?
If the system becomes unbootable, boot from a Windows 11 installation USB, choose “Repair your computer,” and perform a Startup Repair or System Restore.
Q: Can I prevent Windows from re-installing 24H2 afterward?
Yes. Use the Group Policy Editor or Microsoft’s “Show or Hide Updates” tool to defer feature updates, or switch your connection to “Metered” to pause automatic downloads.
9️⃣ Final Thoughts
Windows 11 24H2 introduced ambitious features like Recall, Copilot integration, and performance optimizations — but it also brought instability, driver issues, and compatibility headaches that many users simply can’t ignore.
Rolling back to 23H2 can restore peace of mind, especially if your system was stable before upgrading. The key is acting within your rollback window and extending it early using the PowerShell command shown above.
If you’re past that period, reinstalling from a verified ISO is your safest option. It’s inconvenient, yes — but far better than enduring crashes, lost drives, and erratic performance.
Microsoft may patch these problems in future cumulative updates, but until then, keeping a 23H2 backup image or USB installer handy is the best defense.
So far, we’ve covered how to:
- Check your version
- Extend rollback duration
- Perform a full reversion safely
- Recover if you missed the window
With a bit of preparation and patience, you can undo the chaos of 24H2 and regain the stability your PC deserves.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. Modifying system settings or performing OS rollbacks always carries some risk of data loss. Proceed only if you understand the steps involved, and back up your important data before continuing.
Official Resources:
- Microsoft Windows 11 Software Download Page
- Microsoft Recovery Options Documentation
- Rufus Official Website
Tags: Windows 11 24H2, Windows rollback, Windows update issues, recovery options, PowerShell, DISM, Windows.old, system restore, Microsoft updates, Windows 11 problems
Hashtags: #Windows11 #24H2 #Rollback #WindowsUpdate #Microsoft #TechGuide #PowerShell #SystemRestore #WindowsRecovery #PCFix
