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How to Downgrade Ubuntu from 22.04 to 20.04: A Deep Dive

Downgrading Ubuntu from 22.04 (Jammy Jellyfish) to 20.04 (Focal Fossa) isn’t officially supported as a straightforward process, and it’s generally not recommended due to potential instability and data loss. However, if you understand the risks and are committed to the process, the only truly reliable method involves a clean reinstallation of Ubuntu 20.04. This means backing up your important data, creating a bootable USB drive with the 20.04 ISO, and then installing the older version after completely wiping the 22.04 installation. There is no “downgrade” button. While there are complex procedures that involve manually altering package sources and dependencies, they are extremely risky and prone to breaking your system, leaving you with a non-functional installation. We’ll primarily focus on the safe, albeit more involved, approach of a clean install.

Understanding the Risks and Alternatives

Before diving into the clean installation process, it’s crucial to understand the risks involved and consider alternative solutions. Downgrading operating systems is inherently a complex task, especially with the architecture of modern Linux distributions like Ubuntu. The differences in system libraries, kernel versions, and software packages between 22.04 and 20.04 are substantial.

Why Downgrading is Risky:

Data Loss: Any downgrade process carries a significant risk of data loss if not handled meticulously. Always back up your personal files, configurations, and any other essential data before proceeding.
System Instability: Manually attempting to downgrade packages can lead to dependency conflicts, broken packages, and an unstable system. Your system might not boot correctly, or core functionalities might cease to work.
Time-Consuming Troubleshooting: Even if a manual downgrade seems successful initially, hidden issues can emerge later, requiring significant troubleshooting and potentially leading to a complete system reinstall anyway.

Alternatives to Consider:

Virtual Machines or Dual Boot: Instead of downgrading your primary system, consider running Ubuntu 20.04 in a virtual machine using software like VirtualBox or VMware. Alternatively, you can dual-boot both 22.04 and 20.04, allowing you to choose which system to use at startup. This isolates the older system and prevents it from interfering with your current installation.
Addressing the Root Cause: Before downgrading, identify why you want to revert to 20.04. Are you experiencing specific software compatibility issues or performance problems? Often, these can be addressed without a complete system downgrade by finding alternative software, updating drivers, or optimizing your system configuration.
Snap Packages and App Images: Many applications are now available as Snap packages or AppImages. These are self-contained and can run on newer systems like 22.04 while still providing the functionality of older software. This can bypass compatibility issues that might motivate a downgrade.

The Clean Installation Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

This method involves completely wiping your current Ubuntu 22.04 installation and installing Ubuntu 20.04 from scratch. This is the safest and most reliable way to “downgrade,” although it is, in reality, a reinstallation.

Step 1: Back Up Your Data

This is the most critical step. Back up all your important files, documents, pictures, videos, and configuration files. Consider using an external hard drive, cloud storage, or a network-attached storage (NAS) device for your backup. Remember to back up any hidden files and directories in your home directory (those starting with a dot, like .config).

Step 2: Download the Ubuntu 20.04 ISO Image

Download the Ubuntu 20.04 ISO image from the official Ubuntu website (https://releases.ubuntu.com/20.04/). Make sure to choose the correct version (Desktop or Server) based on your needs.

Step 3: Create a Bootable USB Drive

You’ll need a USB drive (at least 4GB) to create a bootable installation medium. Use a tool like Rufus (on Windows), Etcher (cross-platform), or the built-in Startup Disk Creator (if you have access to another Linux system) to create the bootable USB drive from the downloaded ISO image.

Step 4: Boot from the USB Drive

Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer and restart it. You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS/UEFI settings to boot from the USB drive. This usually involves pressing a key like Del, F2, F12, or Esc during startup (refer to your computer’s manual for the correct key).

Step 5: Start the Ubuntu 20.04 Installation

Once your computer boots from the USB drive, you’ll see the Ubuntu installation screen. Choose the “Try Ubuntu” option to test the system before installing, or select “Install Ubuntu” to begin the installation process immediately.

Step 6: Follow the Installation Instructions

The Ubuntu installer will guide you through the installation process. Pay close attention to the following options:

Keyboard Layout: Choose your preferred keyboard layout.
Updates and Other Software: Decide whether to download updates during the installation and whether to install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware.
Installation Type: This is a crucial step! Choose the “Erase disk and install Ubuntu” option to completely wipe your 22.04 installation and install 20.04. Be absolutely sure you have backed up your data before selecting this option. You can also choose the “Something else” option for manual partitioning, but this is recommended only for advanced users.
Time Zone: Select your time zone.
User Account: Create your user account and set a password.

Step 7: Complete the Installation

Once the installation is complete, the installer will prompt you to restart your computer. Remove the USB drive before restarting.

Step 8: Restore Your Data

After your computer restarts and boots into Ubuntu 20.04, you can restore your data from the backup you created in Step 1.

Step 9: Update Your System

Open a terminal and run the following commands to update your system:

sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade

This will ensure that your system is up-to-date with the latest security patches and bug fixes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to downgrading Ubuntu:

1. Is there a command-line tool to directly downgrade Ubuntu?

No, there is no officially supported command-line tool or procedure for directly downgrading Ubuntu. Attempting to manually downgrade packages using apt is highly discouraged due to potential dependency conflicts and system instability. A clean install is the recommended approach.

2. What happens if I try to force a downgrade using package management tools?

Forcing a downgrade using apt or other package management tools can lead to a broken system. You may encounter dependency conflicts, missing packages, and ultimately, an unbootable system. It’s strongly advised against.

3. Will I lose all my data if I do a clean install?

Yes, a clean install will erase all data on the selected partition. That’s why it’s absolutely critical to back up all your important data before proceeding with the installation.

4. Can I use the same username and password after downgrading?

Yes, you can use the same username and password during the Ubuntu 20.04 installation process. Your user account will be recreated during the installation.

5. Will my installed applications still work after downgrading?

No, a clean install will remove all installed applications. You will need to reinstall them after the installation is complete.

6. What if I encounter errors during the installation process?

If you encounter errors during the installation process, consult the Ubuntu documentation, search online forums, or ask for help from the Ubuntu community. Make sure to provide specific details about the error message you are encountering.

7. How can I ensure that the downloaded ISO image is not corrupted?

You can verify the integrity of the downloaded ISO image by checking its checksum against the checksum published on the official Ubuntu website. Tools like sha256sum (Linux) or HashCheck (Windows) can be used to calculate the checksum.

8. What if my computer doesn’t boot from the USB drive?

Make sure that your BIOS/UEFI settings are configured to boot from the USB drive. You may need to disable “Secure Boot” in the BIOS/UEFI settings. Refer to your computer’s manual for instructions on how to access and modify the BIOS/UEFI settings.

9. Is it possible to dual-boot Ubuntu 22.04 and 20.04?

Yes, it is possible to dual-boot both Ubuntu 22.04 and 20.04. During the installation process, choose the “Install alongside” option or the “Something else” option for manual partitioning to create separate partitions for each operating system.

10. Will my hardware drivers automatically work after downgrading?

Most hardware drivers will be automatically installed during the Ubuntu 20.04 installation process. However, you may need to manually install some drivers, especially for newer hardware or specific graphics cards.

11. What if I can’t find drivers for my hardware in Ubuntu 20.04?

If you can’t find drivers for your hardware in Ubuntu 20.04, try searching online for drivers or contacting the hardware manufacturer for support. You may need to use older drivers or find alternative solutions.

12. How long will Ubuntu 20.04 be supported?

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) is a Long Term Support (LTS) release and is supported until April 2025 for the desktop version and April 2030 for the server version. This means you’ll receive security updates and bug fixes until these dates.