What do I need to return to Windows 10 on Surface Go 2?

Question

I understand I need a clean install. So is this correct?

1. Backup all my files, either in a cloud service or a USB drive that's large enough.
   1. Question: What's the best way to back up and restore files? OneDrive seems to take forever (been over a day and only 73 of 287GB have been uploaded).
2. Make sure I have a way to reinstall all my applications afterwards.
3. Get 16GB or bigger USB drive.
4. Download the recover image .zip file
5. Use "Create a recovery drive" to use the files from the .zip to make an image on the USB drive.
6. Plug in USB drive and press and hold volume-down while rebooting.
7. Once Windows 10 is clean installed then I need to go about putting my files and applications back on the tablet.

Is there anything I'm missing or an easier way to do this?

Answer 1

Hi Mr. John85,

Thank you for reaching Microsoft Community.

Alternative ways to back up your files, either you'll use a thumb drive or an external hard drive. When you reimage your device do not use anything larger than 16GB USB stick. We don't have other way to reimage your device. Make sure to follow the instructions provided on this link Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface - Microsoft Support.

Feel free to response if you have further questions.

Kind regards,

Lavenia

Answer 2

As a novice computer user, the upgrade to Windows 11 said you could just "switch back" to Windows 10 if you didn't like Windows 11, was not really accurate. I would never have accepted the upgrade had I known what was involved in switching back, as it is beyond my computer skills. I know this is probably fruitless, but is there someone I can direct a suggestion that they warn us novices before hitting upgrade what is involved in "just switching back"??

Answer 3

There is the Microsoft Feedback Hub you can use. I do have a few suggestions for Microsoft myself, mainly about task bar icons.

Switching back isn't too hard on most computers, but you do lose all your info as if you were buying a new computer, hence the need to backup your files.

On most computers I've just simply got a 8GB USB drive and downloaded the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft to install Windows 10 on it. From there you just need to mainly follow prompts and also know how to boot into the USB drive.

Answer 4

I'll have to have my 9-year-old great-grand-nephew translate this for me, but thanks...LOL