System Restore is a built-in Windows feature that acts like a time machine for your PC. It allows you to revert your computer’s system files and settings to a previous state, when things were running smoothly. This can be helpful for fixing Windows PC problems like those caused by software installations, driver updates, or system settings changes. Whether you’re dealing with a buggy update, a problematic driver, or a software glitch, System Restore can save the day without affecting your personal files. Well, in Windows 10 and 11, System Restore is turned off by default and must be enabled by the user to function. Here is how to enable the system protection feature, manually create a restore point, and use the system restore feature to restore Windows.
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What Is System Restore?
System Restore is a recovery feature in Microsoft Windows that lets you roll back system files, settings, registry keys, and installed applications to a previous point in time, called a restore point. With this feature enabled, it creates snapshots of certain files and information before critical operations such as updates or software installations take place.
Unlike a full system reset or backup, System Restore doesn’t affect personal files like documents, photos, or videos—it focuses solely on system-level components. However, it will remove apps, drivers, system updates, and registry changes after the restore point is made. It’s like an “undo” button for system changes. If a recent update or app installation causes crashes, freezes, or errors, System Restore can revert your PC to a stable state without requiring a full reinstall of Windows.
Why Is System Restore Important?
With System Restore, you can revert your PC’s state to a previous point in time. This can be particularly useful when troubleshooting issues caused by recent changes, such as software installations, driver updates, or system settings modifications.
- Troubleshooting: If a recent software installation or update causes system instability or performance issues, System Restore can help by reverting to a state before the problematic changes.
- Quick Recovery: It’s faster than reinstalling Windows or troubleshooting complex issues manually, and often resolves problems in under 30 minutes.
- Non-Destructive: Unlike resets, it only affects system files and settings, leaving your personal data untouched.
- Ease of Use: System Restore is a user-friendly tool that allows individuals to quickly and easily resolve system problems without needing advanced technical knowledge.
Again, System Restore can also be used to protect against potential cybersecurity threats by reverting to a stable state if a security breach occurs.
However, System Restore isn’t a full backup solution. It doesn’t save user files or protect against hardware failures, so you should complement it with regular backups.
How to Enable and Configure System Restore
By default, System Restore is disabled in Windows 10 and 11, so you need to enable it manually to start creating restore points. Here’s how you can turn it on and set it up:
- Press Windows + S, type “Create a restore point,” and select the top result to open the System Properties window.
- Under Protection Settings, look for your system drive (usually C:). If it says “Off,” System Restore is disabled.
- Select the C: drive and click Configure. Choose Turn on system protection.
Adjust the Max Usage slider to allocate disk space (5-10% is recommended, e.g., 5-10GB on a 500GB drive). More space allows more restore points. Click Apply and OK.
In addition, ensure the Volume Shadow Copy and Task Scheduler services are running (type services.msc in Run and verify they’re set to Automatic).
After doing this, Windows will automatically create restore points during important events like Windows updates or app installations.
How to Manually Create System Restore Points
Windows automatically creates restore points before major events (e.g., updates or software installations). But you can also do it manually before making system changes like editing the registry or installing untested software. Here is How to Manually Create a Restore Point Windows PC.
- Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start menu and open it.
- In the System Protection tab, click the Create button. Enter a descriptive name (e.g., “Before Driver Update 06-04-2025”).
- Click Create and wait for the process to complete (usually a few minutes).
- You’ll see a confirmation message, “The restore point was created successfully.”
To verify the system restore point created, Open System Restore (click System Restore in the same window) and check the “Show more restore points” box to confirm your new point appears.
When to Create Restore Points:
- Before installing new software, drivers, or Windows updates.
- Before modifying system settings or the registry.
- Periodically, to ensure you have recent recovery options.
Note: Restore points use disk space, so balance frequency with available storage. If points are missing, it could be due to low disk space or System Restore being disabled.
How to Perform System Restore
If at any point in time, your PC starts misbehaving, crashing, freezing, or showing errors, you can use System Restore to revert to a stable state. Here’s how to do it
- Press Windows + S, search for “Create a restore point,” and open it.
- In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
- Alternatively, press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and hit Enter.
- Click Next in the System Restore wizard. Choose a restore point from the list (select one from when your PC was working well).
- Check the “Show more restore points” box to see older points.
- Click Scan for affected programs to see which apps or drivers will be removed (those installed after the restore point was created).
- Click Next, then Finish to start the process.
- Confirm by clicking Yes when warned that the process can’t be interrupted.
- Your PC will restart, apply the restore point, and show a status report upon reboot (e.g., “System Restore completed successfully”).
When to Use System Restore:
- After a Windows update, it causes crashes or slowdowns.
- When new software or drivers lead to system instability.
- When you suspect registry corruption or improper configuration.
Warning: Don’t interrupt the process, as it could leave your system unstable. If your device is BitLocker-encrypted, you’ll need your recovery key
How to Perform System Restore from Boot
Well, after a recent driver update or software install, if your PC won’t boot to the desktop, you can run System Restore from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). It allows you to restore your computer to a previous state without having to reinstall the operating system.
This method is particularly useful after a failed Windows update or malware infection.
- Restart your PC and press Shift + click “Restart” or boot with recovery media to Access WinRE.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
- Choose an administrator account and enter the password if prompted.
- Select a restore point from the list, then click Next.
- Use Scan for affected programs to review changes, then click Finish and Yes to start.
The PC will restart and apply the restore point. After rebooting, check for a confirmation message. If successful, your system should boot normally.
Important: Restores from WinRE or Safe Mode don’t create an undo point, so choose your restore point carefully
What to Do If System Restore Is Not Working
Well, System Restore can fail with errors like “System Restore did not complete successfully” or codes such as 0x80070005 (Access Denied), 0x80070091 (WindowsApps folder issue), or 0x8000ffff (Catastrophic Failure).
Disable Antivirus Temporarily: Antivirus software can block System Restore, causing error 0x80070005. Disable real-time protection in Windows Defender or third-party tools like Norton, then retry.
Run in Safe Mode: Boot into safe mode and Run rstrui.exe to start System Restore with minimal interference.
Check System Services: Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and ensure Volume Shadow Copy, Task Scheduler, and Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider are set to Automatic and running
Use SFC and DISM Tools: Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run sfc /scannow command to repair system files, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the Windows system image. These repair corrupted system files that may cause errors like 0x8000ffff. Restart and retry
Try a Different Restore Point: A corrupted restore point can cause failures. In the System Restore wizard, select an older point or check “Show more restore points.”
Check Disk Errors: Run chkdsk /f /r in Command Prompt to fix disk issues, then retry System Restore.
Free Up Space: Ensure there is enough disk space allocated.
To ensure System Restore works when you need it, turn it on before issues arise, as it won’t help without existing restore points.
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