Windows 10: How to downgrade Windows 10 from 1709 to 1607

I have a rare problem with my system, where it freezes. I have a Ryzen CPU, and a search for this problem put me to an AMD Community post where several Ryzen users have experienced a similar problem, and some of them have worked around it in various ways and others report they're hosed.
One suggestion was that there's a bug in the Creators Update and reverting back to an older version (i.e. 1607) solved the problem. So I thought I'd try that, at least temporarily.
I'd like advice on how to do this.
I can make a recovery disk of my present system (1709).
But I don't know how to install 1607 and keep my settings and apps. I don't even know where to get 1607.
My computer doesn't show any installed updates older than 1709. So reverting back to an older version won't work.
Alternatively, could I clean install 1607 as a second OS in the boot loader. Since it's for an experiment, I wouldn't mind if I lose settings of apps, though it would be nice to preserve them.
I'm currently downloading an ISO (unofficial) of 1511. I would try reverting to 1511 if anyone can vouch for its safety.

:)

 

'Resolution not supported'

Good day,

The problematic version is/was is 1709 version of windows 10. I downgraded back to the 1607 version and my problem was solved. All drivers are up to date. I also had two people from the support centre look at my pc. they both recommended the downgrade to
fix the problem after I was done updating my drivers.

I do believe the problem is from the 1709 version and not the TV. I could be wrong

 

How to manually downgrade Windows 10 from 1709 to 1703 after the 10 day Rollback period?

I do understand how the rollback period works, the computer is at that "stuck" part, I'm just wanting to get it working right again. If a factory reset is all that will do it, then that's what I'll do.

 

You cannot downgrade to an earlier version keeping your apps ands settings, it has to be a clean install I'm afraid.

That may be unwise if you don't trust the source.

This third-party app generates the links required to download an ISO direct from Microsoft. You'll be able to get 1607 this way.

https://www.heidoc.net/joomla/techno...-download-tool

The site seems to be down at the moment, so try again in a little while. Or, if you can't wait, there is an archived copy of the page in the Internet Archive Wayback Machine, you can download the tool from there too.

https://web.archive.org/web/20180222...-download-tool

Edit: HeiDoc is back up now.

 

What progress did you make in working up the freezing?
Had you tried a bootable Ubuntu /Linux drive?
Had you tried clean boot?
Had you tried safe mode?

 

That would be the preferred solution, if only for the fact that 1607 is at 'end of support' within weeks and will almost certainly try to update to 1709 immediately. Quite separately from windows update, Microsoft are pushing the Update Assistant onto all previous versions.

zbook is best placed to help you there.

 

Thanks for the links to 1607.

When I download 1607, can I do an install as a second OS, and how do I do this?
I assume that I would choose D: as my system drive for the install, so it would not affect the 1709 Windows on C:. But will it make two items in the boot menu automatically, or do I have to do something extra.

If 1607 will try to immediately upgrade to 1709, that would defeat the purpose of installing 1607. I can disconnect my Internet connection long enough to tell 1607 not to do automatic updates. Will this be sufficient? I suppose I could reconfigure my network on the 1607 to be unconnected to the Internet, so long as it is still connected to my LAN.

 

I've now got my .iso file for 1607. I tried mounting it with PowerIso and running its setup.exe, but in this case it only gives me the option to keep nothing. I've burned a DVD and I booted from it into the windows setup. There's a button called Install, which I don't want to select yet, because I don't know what options I will be offered (if any) or whether it will do a clean install on the spot.

I've read online that I will get to a place to select a Custom install. If I select my existing D: drive as the location, will it erase the D: and then install the system there? Or should I create a new E: partition with enough space and install it there?

 

It is against the EULA to have two copies of Windows installed at the same time on a single machine with just the one license. Strictly speaking, you are expected to buy a license for the second install.

As to how to dual boot, there's a tutorial...
*Arrow Dual Boot Windows 10 with Windows 7 or Windows 8

I don't use dual boot. When I want to use an earlier version on my test PC (system two in my specs) I restore a system image. That way there is never more than one Windows installed at any time. You could also stay within the EULA by swapping out the current HDD and replacing it with another one and installing 1607 on that.

No, the best way is to hide the update called 'Feature update to Windows 10, version 1709'. You will also need to hide KB4023814 which installs the Update Assistant.

https://support.microsoft.com/help/4...stall-the-late

*Arrow Hide or Show Windows Updates in Windows 10


I still think the best solution is to see if zbook can help you sort out 1709.

 

Yes, running Setup from within Windows will upgrade (or in this case downgrade) the current system. You can't do a downgrade and keep your apps and files.

See the tutorial link I have just given in post #7 for the correct way to install as dual boot. Although it's talking about dual booting with 7 or 8, AFAIK it should work with 10 too (though as I said, I haven't tried it myself).

 

I've created unallocated space to install W10 into. I have a bootable DVD for the install.




When I boot from the DVD, the installer tells me that it can't install Windows onto the partition, because the disk has an MBR partition table and needs a GPT disk. Whatever tha means? I don't know how to make a screenshot here.

So I'm following the tutorial referenced above by Bree, and running setup from the sources folder in the mounted ISO file. However, the unallocated space does not show up.




So what do I do now??

 

Use the information in this link to post images of disk management:
Disk Management - How to Post a Screenshot of Windows 10 Tutorials

Download and install: Minitool partition Wizard: MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition - Free download and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Post an image into the thread.
If there is any problem posting images please use one drive or drop box or google share links.

The minimum recommended space per Microsoft is 20 GB.
So give yourself a little extra space.
Windows will automatically delete memory dump files if the free space is < 25.
So if you can give yourself some extra buffer it may better once you can get Windows installed.
Windows 10 System Requirements Specifications | Microsoft

 

I followed your suggestions. Unallocated space now 25 GB. Installed Partition Magic, see screenshot,



Now what?

 

I'm hoping somebody will tell me how to install my 1607 DVD into the free space on my disk, so that I can proceed.

 

I'm hoping somebody will tell me how to install my 1607 DVD into the free space on my disk, so that I can proceed.