Install Win 10 Pro over Win 11

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I ordered a Surface Laptop 5 that comes with Win 11. As I really don’t like Win 11, I’d like to install Win 10 Pro over the Win 11. I’ll image the new laptop so I always can go back if there’s an issue. So, anyone see any problems in my plan? Can I download the Win 10 Pro and a license key from MS and install from a USB stick? Got a link? Thanks!

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As long as they’re same version (i.e. Win11 Pro ⇒ Win10 Pro) the existing Win11 key can be used to activate Win10. It they’re different versions, you’ll need to buy a Win10 Pro key to activate it.

See the How to downgrade from Windows 11 to Windows 10 article by Ed Bott of ZDnet for complete instructions on how to proceed with downgrade (including creating a Win10 install USB.)

1 user thanked author for this post.

WSJimmy-Helena

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I’m afraid it comes with 11 Home, but I can upgrade to 11 Pro at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/upgrade-windows-home-to-windows-pro-ef34d520-e73f-3198-c525-d1a218cc2818. I suppose I’ll have to pay.

[Moderator edit] converted URL to original. Please do not use shortened URLs, we need to see where you are sending us.

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[Microfix]

An old trick sprung to mind whilst reading this…
Backup drivers in W11 for possible introduction into W10 where and if necessary.

In Windows 11:
Create a new folder in C: called Drivers
C:\Drivers

Note the C:\Drivers folder needs to exist, otherwise
you’ll get an error and no driver export will occur.

open a cmd prompt (as admin)
dism /online /export-driver /destination:c:\Drivers\

Then save the created ‘Drivers’ folder to an external storage to use later…..

much later….
Once W10 is installed, use the device manager to install any drivers that may be missing or have issues from that ‘Drivers’ folder on the plugged in external storage.
At worst, you have a full drivers backup for W11 and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

• This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Microfix. Reason: code updated

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RDRguy, BobbyB

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@Microfix

I tried this on Win10 but kept getting…

Error: 87
The c option is not a valid command

Had to use this to get it to work properly.

dism /online /export-driver /destination:c:\drivers\

Win7 - PRO & Ultimate, x64 & x86
Win8.1 - PRO, x64 & x86
Groups A, B & ABS

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Microfix

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RDRguy, yep you are correct, my bad copying of the code.
Now ammended, thanks for the heads up 🙂

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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Well, I received the new Surface Laptop 5 and, after screwing with it for 2 hours, I shipped it back to MS. Half of my apps wouldn’t run and I got sick and tired of MS trying to force me to use its apps, like Bing. I’m just going to get a Mac Book and get “divorced” from MS!

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Alex5723, Microfix, BobbyB, PKCano

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Oh well, that’s one of the risks in “downgrading” from Win11 to Win10.

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