How to remove Windows Server 2016

Kareem Culbertson 0 Reputation points
2024-04-07T22:36:51.6833333+00:00

Hello. Previously, I had Windows 10 on my laptop. I installed Windows Server 2016 (to learn Active Directory) but I am unable to disconnect from it. I have two questions.

  1. How can I get Windows 10 back on my laptop?
  2. Is there a way to install Windows Server 2016 while being able to still use Windows 10 on the same machine.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2016
A Microsoft server operating system that supports enterprise-level management updated to data storage.
2,379 questions
Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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  1. S.Sengupta 15,266 Reputation points MVP
    2024-04-08T02:11:04.15+00:00

    Unfortunately, since you installed Windows Server 2016 directly on your laptop, there's no way to easily "disconnect" and go back to Windows 10. Windows Server doesn't have a built-in rollback option for previous operating systems.

    Firstly, back up your data then Download Windows 10 Creation Tool

    Use the downloaded tool to create a bootable USB drive with the Windows 10 installation files. You may also try https://rufus.ie/en/

    Once done, boot from the USB drive and go for a Clean install.

    ======================

    Dual Booting option allows you to have both Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 on your machine.

    See:

    https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/dual-boot-windows-10-and-windows-server.html

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Yanhong Liu 2,160 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2024-04-08T02:28:59.7633333+00:00

    Hello Kareem Culbertson，

    It is recommended to use virtualization technologies such as Hyper-V or VMware to run Windows Server 2016 virtual machines on Windows 10 for better isolation and resource management.

    With virtualization, you can:

    1. Run software that requires an older version of Windows or a non-Windows operating system.
    2. Try a different operating system. Hyper-V makes it very easy to create and remove different operating systems.
    3. Test the software on multiple operating systems using multiple virtual machines. With Hyper-V, you can run them on a single desktop or laptop. These virtual machines can be exported and then imported into any other Hyper-V system, including Azure.

    Introduction to Hyper-V on Windows 10 | Microsoft Learn

    Best Regards,

    Yanhong Liu

    ============================================

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.

    1 person found this answer helpful.