How to Use System Restore in Windows 11

How to Use System Restore in Windows 11

System Restore takes Windows back to how it was at an earlier point in time, called a restore point. It reverses changes to system files, the registry, drivers and installed programs, but leaves your personal files alone. It's the quickest way to undo a bad driver, a faulty update or a program that broke something.

It only works if System Protection was turned on before the problem started, so the first step is to check that.

Step 1: Turn On System Protection

On many Windows 11 PCs it is off by default.

1. Open Start, type Create a restore point and open it. (This opens System Properties on the System Protection tab.)
2. Under Protection Settings, look at your system drive (usually C:). If it says Off, select it and choose Configure.
3. Select Turn on system protection.
4. Set Max Usage to around 5-10% of the drive. Older restore points are deleted when this space fills up.
5. Select OK.

Windows now creates restore points automatically before events such as updates and driver or app installs.

Step 2: Create a Restore Point Before Big Changes

Before editing the registry, installing an unfamiliar driver or changing system settings:

1. Open Create a restore point again.
2. Select Create, type a name you'll recognise (for example "before graphics driver") and select Create.
3. Wait for "The restore point was created successfully".

It only takes a minute and gives you an easy way back.

Step 3: Restore While Windows Works

1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe and press Enter. (Or open Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.)
2. Select Next.
3. Pick a restore point from before the problem started. Tick Show more restore points to see older ones.
4. Optional but useful: select Scan for affected programs. It lists the programs and drivers that will be removed or restored.
5. Select Next, then Finish, and confirm.

The PC restarts and the restore can take 15 minutes or more. Don't turn the PC off while it runs. Keep a laptop plugged in.

Step 4: Restore When Windows Won't Start

1. Open the recovery screen: Windows shows it by itself after two failed starts, or you can turn the PC off during startup two or three times to trigger it. From a working desktop, use Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
3. Choose your account and enter its password if asked.
4. Pick a restore point, optionally Scan for affected programs, then Next > Finish.

If your drive uses BitLocker encryption, you'll need the recovery key (find it at aka.ms/myrecoverykey from another device).

You can also start in Safe Mode first and run rstrui.exe there; see how to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode.

What System Restore Changes and What It Doesn't

Changed back	Not changed
System files and registry	Documents, photos, music, videos
Drivers	Emails and browser data
Programs installed or updated after the point (removed or reverted)	Files you saved after the restore point

So it's not a backup. It can't bring back a deleted photo or a failed drive. For that you need a real copy of your files; see how to back up your Windows 11 PC.

After a restore, reinstall any program you still need that was installed after the restore point.

How to Undo a System Restore

If the restore made things worse or didn't help:

1. Open rstrui.exe again.
2. Choose Undo System Restore and select Next > Finish.

This option only appears when the restore was run from inside Windows. A restore from the recovery screen can't be undone, because Windows can't save its current state first when it isn't running.

When System Restore Fails

• "System Restore did not complete successfully": try again from Safe Mode or the recovery screen, since antivirus or a running program can block it. Try an older restore point.
• No restore points listed: System Protection was off, or the space limit deleted them. You can't create an old restore point after the fact.
• The problem comes back: an automatic update may be reinstalling the same driver. Check Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

If restore doesn't help, next steps are repairing system files with SFC and DISM, or resetting Windows with Keep my files (Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC). Back up first, because a reset removes your apps.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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