With the release of Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft will remove access to previous versions of the operating system from regular channels such as the Media Creation Tool and the Software Download page. In case something goes wrong or it turns out your system is not working well with the Windows 10 Creators Update, you need a sure way to go back to your previous version. Yes, Windows 10 does include the Rollback option, which you must perform within 10 days of upgrading, but not a lot users will know this. The best thing you can do right now, is prepare reinstall media for your current version. Users running older releases such as Windows 10 1507 and 1511 will need to use the Recovery Drive option in current versions. Microsoft no longer host install files for those versions. If you are currently running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, version 1607, you have time.

Volume License Customers and active MSDN subscribers need not worry about this; you can still download older versions if needed from those respective services at anytime.

Create Recovery Drive - versions 1507, 1511 and 1607

Windows 10 includes a Recovery Drive Creator, which copies install files for your current version to a USB thumb drive. This thumb drive can be used to perform a clean install only.

What you will need?

• USB thumbdrive with 8 GBs of space or more
• Your computer running Windows 10

Click Start and type: create recovery then Enter on your keyboard

You can also find the Recovery drive creator by opening Control Panel (Windows key + X)

Open Recovery

Click Create Recovery drive

Make sure your thumb drive is connected then click Next.

Use the Media Creation Tool to Create Reinstall Media for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (1607).

Since the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is the current commercial release of Windows 10, users can download and create a backup copy using the Media Creation Tool; or download ISO media from the Software Download page. Remember, on the day Microsoft officially launches the Windows 10 Creators Update (1703), you won't be able to download older versions. Microsoft recently refreshed the install files for Windows 10 Anniversary Update, so, your install media will need to be a dual layer DVD or a USB thumb drive with 8 GBs of space.

Choose Create installation media for another PC then click Next