Undo Windows 10 Update: Here's how to go back to Windows 7 and 8

Microsoft has been distributing the new Windows 10 operating system as a free update since July 29. You can undo this upgrade. Within a month, this works without any problems using a specially set up recovery function.

Undo update to Windows 10

If you don't like Windows 10, you can switch back to Windows 8 or Windows 7 using the restore function. This works until a month after the update. Your data and programs are retained.

1. Open the start menu and click on "Settings".
2. Select "Update and Security" and click "Recovery".
3. Here under "Return to Windows 8.1" or "Return to Windows 7" click on "Let's go" and follow the further instructions.

Retrieve Windows 8 or Windows 7 after one month

If the month that Microsoft grants for testing has passed, only a reinstall of your old version of Windows will help.

• To do this, insert the operating system DVD and install the old Windows version.
• If you don't have a DVD, you can download your old operating system and install it from a USB stick or DVD.
• You need a license code for the installation. You can usually find this on a sticker on the back of your computer. See this article for more information.