I do understand what you are saying. I have been trying to do a clean install of the January version using the “normal” procedure but it is still stuck on Krypton 17.4.
First using a Mac then a PC to make a USB “patchstick” or installer stick.
When I upgrading to Krypton I had problems with the install. Sad Face. I managed to fix it by following this thread: Problems when updating your ATV1 ? - READ HERE BEFORE POSTING!
Using terminal it sorted the HDD write permissions and upgraded to Krypton.
Another thread for downgrading for 17 to 16 on a RasPi Downgrade from Krypton Beta - #3 by fzinken
uses this command:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install rbp2-mediacenter-osmc=16.1.0-3
If I can substitute “rbp2-mediacenter-osmc=16.1.0-3” for the correct ATV version then I think it will work from terminal.