mobile

..since sadly, I'm really not impressed with Lollipop. Battery life seems worse, the supposedly better interface feels far inferior to me and various other small little things that made me realise I really, really liked 4.4.4.

So I have some questions:

1) What's the process to follow for this? I've seen some links I *think* are right, but can't be sure. (Note that I'm considering rooting and would want to keep my DRM keys etc., if I can).
2) I assume the phone will be wiped as this won't be like upgrading was to Lollipop. So I'd have to backup all my data (although I know this is best practice anyway).
3) Is there a stock version of 4.4.4 as opposed to Sony's original FW that I could use?
4) Or potentially even CM11?
5) If not, is there some way I could get the quick pin unlock feature I used to love in CM on my Xperia Z?

Thanks as always, all.