How to use System Restore on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 10, System Restore is a feature designed to create a snapshot of the device’s current working state as a «restore point» when system changes are detected. If a critical problem occurs after installing a system update, device driver, application, or after modifying system settings incorrectly using the Registry or another tool, you can use one of the available restore points to revert the computer to an earlier point in time to resolve the problem without losing your files.

Although this is a handy recovery tool, for some odd reason, System Restore comes disabled by default, which means that you must enable it before Windows 10 can create restore points automatically or you manually.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to set up System Restore as well as the steps to recover from problems that may be affecting the normal operation of your computer.

How to enable System Restore on Windows 10

On Windows 10, the System Restore feature is not turned on by default, and you must enable it manually using Control Panel.

To enable System Restore, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and click the top result to open the System Properties page.
3. Under the «Protection Settings» section, select the main «System» drive

Click the Configure button.

Source: Windows Central

Select the Turn on system protection option.

Source: Windows Central

Quick tip: Windows 10 can automatically manage the space, but under the «Disk Space Usage» section, you can also use the slider to specify the storage amount to reserve for the recovery feature. You will also find a Delete button, which you can use to remove all restore points, which can come in handy to free up space or when you want to start over with the feature.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will automatically create a restore point when applying a new update or when specific system changes are made.

System Restore is not a feature you can enable globally. If you have additional drives you want to protect with System Restore, you must repeat the steps on every storage device. However, remember that this feature is available to undo settings changes. It is not a backup solution replacement.

How to create a System Restore point on Windows 10

If enabled, System Restore will create a checkpoint when it detects system changes automatically. However, if you modify the system configuration, you always want to create a restore point manually.

To create a restore point on Windows 10 manually, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point, and click the top result to open the System Properties page.

Under the «Protection Settings» section, click the Create button.

Source: Windows Central

Type a descriptive name for the restore point — for example, before modifying the Registry settings.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Create button.

Click the Close button.

Click the OK button.

Click the Close button.

After you complete the steps, you’ll have a way to undo changes in the event that something goes wrong while installing a new device driver, app, or after modifying the Registry.

How to recover using System Restore on Windows 10

When something happens after modifying system settings on Windows 10, you can undo the changes by applying a previous restore point. You can complete this task from the desktop or the advanced startup settings if the system does not boot.

Undo system changes from desktop

If you still have access to the desktop, you can revert changes with System Restore using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point, and click the top result to open the System Properties page.

Click the System Restore button.

Source: Windows Central

Quick note: If the option is grayed out, then it means that the system does not have any restore point available.

Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Finish button.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, System Restore will return the device to the previous good working state.

Undo system changes from Advanced startup

If the computer does not boot to access the desktop, you can use Advanced startup settings to use the System Restore feature to undo system changes.

Access Advanced startup

To access the Advanced startup environment to use System Restore, use these steps:

Power on the device.

As soon as the Windows logo appears on your screen, press the power button to interrupt the boot sequence.

Source: Windows Central

Repeat steps No. 1 and 2 two more times. (Or until the device boots into the recovery experience.)

After you complete the steps, you can use the steps outlined below to revert system changes with System Restore.

Alternatively, if you cannot access the recovery environment with the above steps, you can start your device with a Windows 10 installation media, and while in the «Windows Setup» experience, click the Next button, click the Repair your computer button from the bottom-left corner, and then use the steps below.

Undo changes with System Restore

To use System Restore from the Advanced startup environment, use these steps:

Click the Advanced options button.

Source: Windows Central

Click on Troubleshoot.

Source: Windows Central

Click on Advanced options.

Source: Windows Central

Click on System Restore.

Source: Windows Central

Confirm the account passowrd.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Next button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Finish button.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, the changes causing the problem will be removed with the previous snapshot bringing the device back to a good-known working state.

We are focusing this guide on Windows 10, but since this is a legacy feature, you can also refer to these instructions if you are using Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

Although System Restore is a convenient feature to quickly recover from configuration problems, it is not a feature meant to replace a backup solution or an option to reset the computer to the factory default settings.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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How to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 10

How to simply fix Windows 10 issues though System Restore?

Windows 10 is well furnished for restoration after issues that do not let your system to function in a proper manner. Here’s the tutorial explaining how to apply its different parameters.

We have to admit that Windows 10 is pretty functional for recovering itself from issues that might prevent it from functioning well, but manual interference is required in some instances. Note that the latest version of Microsoft Windows has got a similar range of recovery utilities as simpler versions for this, but not all function in the manner you’d prefer, and there are some new parameters in place, too.

Instructions to perform a System Restore on Windows 10

As with previous versions of Windows, System Restore lets you “restore” your Windows installation to a previous fully functional condition, without damaging your data.

This is feasible because Windows by default saves Restore Points in case something significant occurs, for example, installing a Windows Update or a new program — the point is that if it goes improperly, you can get back to the previous Restore Point (or an even earlier point) to get back time and get things functioning as they were before.

The point is that System Restore is deactivated by default in Windows 10. Therefore, this is the solution on how to set it up and apply it.

Start System Restore

Look for system restore in the Windows 10 Search field and choose Create a restore point through the list of results. As soon as the System Properties dialog box comes up, select the System Protection option and then choose the Configure button.

System Properties Windows 10

Activate System Restore

Click to activate Turn on system protection and then apply the Max Usage slider to establish how much of your hard drive to apply for storage of available Restore Points — 5% to 10% is normally enough — and click OK. If you ever require to manually generate a Restore Point (just before you begin messing with any system settings, for instance), get back to this dialog box and select Create… button. Otherwise, Windows 10 will work for you without your direct command.

Turn on system protection

Recover your PC

Whenever you would like to get back to a Restore Point, go to the System Properties functionality again (check Step 1), choose the System Protection tab, and then select the System Restore… button. Implement the on-screen guidelines and choose the preferred Restore Point when asked. You may also choose the Scan for the affected programs option before proceeding any further to find out what might modify your computer afterward. When you’re satisfied enough to initiate the procedure, select Next.

System Restore Windows 10

What to do when System Restore doesn’t function?

Certain serious Windows issues can create obstacles for you while attempting to get back to a Restore Point with System Restore, however, there is still a solution to bypass them.

All you should do is launch Windows 10 in Safe Mode. This specific Windows mode only loads the vital components of Windows, which means any controversial programs, drivers, or parameters will be deactivated. System Restore will then normally be trouble-free.

Starting Advanced start-up

Proceed to Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery and choose Restart now below Advanced startup.

Restart now below Advanced start-up

Starting System Restore in Safe Mode

Windows will then reboot and show a Choose an option menu. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore and apply System Restore in a common manner.

Restoring from more serious issues

System Restore does not necessarily restore your system from extremely serious issues, however, Windows 10 still has got an extra trick in place.

Start Reset this PC

Click on Start > Settings > Update & security > Recovery and choose Get started below Reset this PC.

Reset this PC Windows 10

Resetting Windows 10, but save your files

When the next window comes up, select Keep my files and refer to the on-screen guidelines for resetting Windows 10. You’ll notice a list of programs that will be deleted and be asked to verify your selection before proceeding any further.

Resetting this PC from Safe Mode

Similar to System Restore, complex Windows 10 issues can block the Reset this PC option from functioning well, but you can also execute it via the Safe Mode to avoid such complications. Refer to the Step 1 under If System Restore won’t work set forth above, but instead, select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Keep my files under Step 2.