Since Microsoft released the latest update to its operating system, I have received many emails from readers asking me the same question: "How do I uninstall Windows 8.1?" It's a valid but difficult question to answer because Windows 8.1 makes Windows 8 better and shouldn't be a reason to uninstall. However, it's still software and every now and then, errors and conflicts with other software and hardware can occur during the upgrade and uninstalling may be the only solution.
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How to uninstall Windows 10 and go back to Windows 8.1
The first thing you need to know about Windows 8.1 is that it is not like the previous updates. This new update is practically a new operating system (many would even say it is Windows 9). Therefore, you cannot just go to the Control Panel and uninstall Windows 8.1 like a normal update or software. It is more like you install it once and there is no going back to Windows 8 or any other previous version of the operating system. But of course, I only mean undoing the upgrade, because it is possible to remove Windows 8.1 from your PC, however it is a more complicated process.
If you're reading this before upgrading Windows 8 or Windows 7, it's best to create a full system image backup. This type of backup contains everything in your system, including: operating system, apps, settings, and personal files. Having a backup allows you to roll back in case something goes wrong. To avoid errors during installation, you should also read this previous article.
The problem is that most people want to uninstall Windows 8.1 because they already have it installed. In that case, here are some good things to know. According to Microsoft's Update to Windows 8.1: FAQ page, Windows 8 users can only roll back their PCs to the previous operating system if the PC originally shipped with Windows 8 — which means you technically can't undo the upgrade process. Personal documents won't be deleted, but apps will need to be reinstalled.
