There comes a moment in every Windows user’s life when an update that sounded exciting turns out to be a little too new, a little too unstable, or simply incompatible with the way you work. Windows 11 version 24H2 is one such update. While packed with future-leaning improvements, it can sometimes bring unexpected issues — slowdowns, app misbehavior, driver conflicts, UI glitches, or just a general sense that something was better before.
If you’ve recently upgraded and find yourself wanting the stability and familiarity of Windows 11 version 23H2, you’re not alone. Many users prefer giving a major release a few more weeks of refinement before fully committing to it. Thankfully, Microsoft still allows a rollback — but only under certain conditions and with specific methods.
In this article, we’ll move through the entire process step by step in a warm, narrative way. You’ll understand the logic behind each step, why certain paths are easier, and how to safely restore your system without losing essential files. Whether you’re trying to undo a recent update or performing a fresh installation of version 23H2, this guide will walk with you from start to finish.
Before we begin, one reminder stands above all others: always back up your system and files before attempting any rollback. Even though one method is technically non-destructive, unexpected issues can appear, and preparation is always safer than regret.
With that thought in mind, let’s begin our journey back to Windows 11 version 23H2.
Understanding Your Two Options: Rollback or Clean Installation
Before diving into buttons and commands, it helps to understand the landscape. Microsoft gives users two paths to return to a previous version of Windows:
- Rolling back using Settings
- Performing a full clean installation
Both achieve the same outcome — reinstalling Windows 11 version 23H2 — but the difference lies in the conditions and consequences.
Why timing matters
When you upgrade to a new Windows version, Microsoft stores a backup of your previous version. This backup enables the Go back option in the Settings app. But the catch is that these backup files only remain for 10 days. After that, Windows automatically removes them to free up space.
So:
- If you upgraded within the last 10 days → You can use an easy rollback through Settings.
- If more than 10 days have passed → You must use a clean installation.
The clean installation option completely reinstalls Windows 11 version 23H2, wiping apps and settings unless you back them up.
With that foundation in place, let’s explore the first and easiest method.
Rolling Back Using Settings (If You Upgraded Within the Last 10 Days)
This method is the simplest, quickest, and least disruptive. It keeps your files intact and reinstalls the previous version of Windows automatically. If you fall into the 10-day window, this is the path you should try first.
A closer look at the process
To access this rollback function, you’ll travel into the Settings → System → Recovery area. If Windows still holds your previous installation files, you’ll see a section labeled Go back. This is your gateway to version 23H2.
The moment you click Go back, Windows begins a guided flow:
- Windows asks why you are rolling back
- You choose an option and click Next
- It asks whether you want to check for updates
- You can decline using the No thanks button
- You’ll be reminded that some apps or settings may need to be reconfigured
- You confirm your choice
- Windows restarts and begins reverting the installation
Throughout this process, Microsoft tries to reassure you that files won’t be deleted — and generally, that’s true. But system updates behave differently on every machine, and unexpected failures can occur. This is why having a backup brings peace of mind before you begin.
Password reminder
If you used a different password (or PIN) on your earlier installation, Windows may ask for that during rollback. This can surprise users who changed passwords after updating. But if you sign in with a Microsoft account, this part usually goes smoothly.
Once confirmed, Windows restarts into rollback mode. Within a few minutes — sometimes a bit longer depending on your hardware — your system will reboot into Windows 11 version 23H2, exactly as it was before the update.
If this option appears in your Settings app, it is by far the easiest route back to stability.
But what if the Go back button isn’t there?
When the Rollback Option Is Missing: Moving Toward a Clean Installation
If more than 10 days have passed since your upgrade, or if Windows deleted the backup files early, the rollback option will be unavailable. In this situation, you must reinstall Windows 11 version 23H2 manually using an ISO file.
This might sound intimidating, but with clear steps, you’ll move through it confidently.
Why Microsoft no longer offers old ISOs
Microsoft’s website only provides downloads for the latest Windows version, meaning version 24H2 once it becomes mainstream. Older releases like 23H2 are not offered directly.
But there is a reliable workaround.
Downloading a Windows 11 Version 23H2 ISO Through a Trusted Script-Based Method
To reinstall version 23H2, you need a proper ISO file. Since Microsoft doesn’t openly host older versions, you can use the UUP Dump platform, which generates scripts that download official Microsoft files and assemble them into a complete ISO.
This may sound technical, but once broken down, the process becomes straightforward and surprisingly elegant.
Beginning the download
On the UUP Dump website, you navigate to Windows 11 23H2 and choose:
- The latest build
- The x64 architecture (unless you are using ARM)
- Your preferred language
- The edition you want (usually “Home + Pro”)
Once selected, you choose the option to:
Download and convert to ISO
Two extra checkboxes appear:
- Include updates
- Run component cleanup
Enable both. These ensure your final ISO is clean, updated, and free of unnecessary leftovers.
After confirming, you download a small package of scripts, not the ISO itself. This package contains the tools that will build your custom ISO using genuine files from Microsoft’s servers.
Building the ISO File on Your PC
Once downloaded, you extract the package and look for a file named:
uup_download_windows.cmd
When you right-click and run it as Administrator, the script will:
- Fetch all components from Microsoft
- Assemble the installation files
- Build a full ISO
- Save it in the same folder
The entire process may take a while depending on your internet speed and system performance. When finished, the script asks you to press 0 to exit. You now have a complete Windows 11 23H2 ISO ready for installation.
With the ISO prepared, the next step is reinstalling Windows.
Performing a Clean Installation of Windows 11 Version 23H2
There are many ways to install Windows — USB booting, external drives, network deployment — but to keep things simple, we’ll use the most convenient method: mounting the ISO directly in File Explorer.
You open File Explorer, find your newly created ISO, right-click it, and select Mount. A new virtual drive appears on the sidebar. Inside that drive, you’ll find setup.exe.
Running setup as Administrator begins the familiar Windows installation process.
Choosing installation options
During installation, you’ll be asked whether to download updates. While this is generally recommended, you can skip it if you want a slightly faster installation.
The most important part comes when Windows asks what to keep:
Since you are downgrading, the only valid option should be:
- Nothing
This ensures Windows performs a clean installation of version 23H2 over version 24H2.
Then you click Next, and finally, Install.
Your PC will restart, and the installation process begins.
Completing the Out-of-Box Experience (OOBE)
Once Windows finishes installing, you’ll be guided through the OOBE — the same familiar setup flow you saw when first bought your device.
You’ll move through:
- Selecting your region
- Choosing keyboard layout
- Naming your device
- Connecting to Wi-Fi
- Signing in with a Microsoft account (or creating a local account through the proper bypass steps if desired)
- Configuring privacy settings
- Deciding whether to restore apps and settings from a previous device
Every step feels familiar, but it carries the comfort of knowing you’re back on a stable and predictable Windows version.
Final Steps After Returning to Windows 11 Version 23H2
Once your desktop appears, your journey isn’t fully complete. A few final checks ensure your system is healthy and ready for use.
Update essential components
You open Settings → Windows Update and download all available updates — except the feature update to 24H2, which you should avoid for now.
You then go into Advanced Options → Optional Updates and install available drivers.
Check Device Manager
You inspect Device Manager for any missing drivers marked with yellow icons.
Restore apps and files
Since it was a clean installation, you reinstall your applications and restore your personal files from backup.
Once everything is back in place, you officially return to the stability and familiarity of Windows 11 version 23H2.
A Few Thoughts Before We Wrap Up
Downgrading Windows isn’t something most people do often, but when you need stability, it’s empowering to know the path is still available. Windows 11 23H2 remains a reliable and well-tested version, and stepping back to it can bring peace of mind while Microsoft continues refining 24H2.
Every major update introduces new possibilities, but it also requires time, feedback, and fixes. If 24H2 didn’t work well on your hardware—or simply didn’t feel right—rolling back is a perfectly normal and responsible choice.
What matters most is that your system remains smooth, dependable, and comfortable for your daily work.
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