How To Use System Restore Feature In Windows 10

There is no doubt, we all want to go back in time and correct things that have not gone perfectly so that we can change our present life. Though it is not possible with us, but it is truly possible with your PC, just due to the System Restore feature.

This feature in Windows 10 creates a snapshot of your PC and saves the existing working condition as a ‘restore point’ when any kind of change in the system is detected. When your system faces any critical issue after installing Windows update, driver, app, changes in system settings or anything, a restore point can be used to get back your PC settings as they were earlier, it works great in fixing the issue without losing your files or documents.

In Windows 10, this feature is available disabled by default, which simply means you require enabling it before restore points are created.

In this guide, you will learn how to use System Restore in Windows 10 as well as how to get your PC back in perfect shape.

• Enable System Restore in Windows 10
• Create a Restore Point in Windows 10
• Recover using System Restore in Windows 10

1. Table of Contents

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   Enable System Restore in Windows 10

As we have said earlier, System Restore is disabled by default, so you need to enable it using these steps.

• Press Start.
• Type ‘Create a restore point’ and click the first option from the result list. It will open the System Properties window.
• Now, select the ‘System’ drive under the Protection Settings section and make a click on the ‘Configure’ button.
• In the window, select ‘Turn on system protection’ option.

• In the ‘Disk Space Usage’ section, you can adjust the slider to state the maximum storage to reserve for System Restore. It is optional, as Windows 10 can manage it automatically.
• To end it, click Apply and then Ok button.

Once these steps are completed, it will enable System Restore feature and will work effectively in protecting your PC by creating a restore point automatically when any change in the system is made.

Always remember that System Restore is available for system drives only, with OS installed in it.

2. Create a Restore Point in Windows 10

When any change is detected in your PC, System Restore will create checkpoints automatically. But at some time, like you are going to install a new program, it is a good idea to create a restore point manually. This can be done using these steps.

• Press Start
• Type ‘Create a restore point’ and click the first option from the result list. It will open the System Properties window.
• Now, click the ‘Create’ button under the Protection Settings section.

• Here, you need to provide a descriptive name for the restore point which will help you to restore your PC back to this point. For example: before modifying Windows Update Settings with Registry
• Click ‘create’ button.
• Now click Close button and then click Ok.

Once you finished with these steps, you can undo your changes if some find something is going wrong while installing driver, app or after modifying the Registry.

3. Recover using System Restore in Windows 10

When your system goes wrong after making changes in it, so instead of spending time in troubleshooting the issue, the best way is to undo the changes with the help of created restore point. It can be done while you are still accessing your desktop or if your system is not starting correctly.

Undo changes while you still have access to your desktop

• Press Start.
• Type ‘Create a restore point’ and click the first option from the result list. It will open the System Properties window.
• Click the System Restore button under the System Protection tab.
• Now, click the Next button.
• Choose a restore point, which you want to use on your PC, from the on-screen list
• Click on ‘Scan for affected programs’ button to see what apps or programs will no longer be available if you use this restore point.
• Click the Close button, then Next button and followed by Finish button.

Once you are done, System Restore will get back your PC to the previous working state.

Undo changes if the desktop is not working properly, using Advanced Startup

Before using System Restore, follow these steps to access the Advanced startup environment.

• Power on your PC
• While the Windows logo is appearing on the screen, you need to press the power button in order to interrupt the boot procedure.
• Repeat both above steps two times until you enter the Windows Recovery environment.

Once these steps are finished, follow the steps outlined below to use System Restore.

• Click ‘Advanced options’ from Automatic Repair screen.
• Now, select the Troubleshoot option.
• Click on Advanced options followed by System Restore option from the list.
• Next, click the Next button.