System Restore is a Windows tool that lets you revert recent changes. If you are unable to boot into Windows or dealing with frequent crashes, System Restore can undo recent changes like driver updates, Windows updates, software installs, system file changes, and configuration changes to restore your computer. System Restore can attempt to return a system to working condition without having to reinstall the operating system or deleting your files.
Enabling System Protection to ensure System Restore is enabled
In most cases, Windows already has System Protection turned on for an out-of-the-box PC. However, if settings have been changed, you can enable System Protection to allow Windows to automatically create Restore Points.
1. In the Windows Search bar, typically found at the bottom of the screen, Search for "Recovery" and click on Recovery (Control panel) to open it.
2. This will open an advanced recovery tools window, click on Configure System Restore.
3. This will open the system properties window with the "system protection" tab selected.
4. Under Protection Settings, Select Local Disk C: to highlight it
5. Click on Configure once that the drive is highlighted.
6. Click the button next to "Turn on system protection", then click OK.
Creating a Restore Point
In case you need to make a major change in the settings or software, you can manually create a Restore Point to go back and revert the changes you made safely.
1. In the Windows Search bar, typically found at the bottom of the screen, Search for "Create a restore point" and click on Create a restore point (Control panel) to open it.
2. This will open the "System Properties" window with the "System Protection" tab selected.
3. Under Protection Settings, Click on the Create button.
4. Name the restore point and Click on Create.
5. The progress bar will appear to display that the system restore is being created.
6. A message will appear stating “The restore point was created successfully.” You can click on Close and the restore point will be available from the System Restore option which we will cover further below!
Using System Restore:
Method 1
Use this Method when you are able to load Windows but experiencing crashing.
- Press the Windows key + R on the keyboard to open a Run window. Enter rstrui.exe into the Run window and then click OK to open.
2. A System Restore window will appear, click Next to proceed.
3. The next screen here will list the available restore points for your computer.
4. Select the date corresponding to the system restore point before the issue occurred to highlight the restore point and click Next.
5. A confirm restore point screen will appear, selecting Finish will automatically start the system restore process which will take some time to complete and is an automatic process.
Once finished, the computer will return to the sign-in screen or directly to the desktop if there is no computer password.
Method 2
Use this method when Windows cannot load.
The Windows 11 advanced startup screen allows you to gain access to the System Restore tool outside of Windows to repair system settings and errors without losing data.
1. Power on your computer.
2. As soon as the Windows logo appears on the screen, press the power button to interrupt the boot sequence
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times until you see the recovery screen
Alternatively, if you cannot access the recovery environment with these steps, you can start Windows using installation media and while on the Windows Setup select Repair your computer button to follow the steps below to access system restore.
4. Click on Advanced Options.
5. Click on Troubleshoot.
6. Click on Advanced Options.
7. Click on System Restore.
8. Follow steps 2-5 in Method 1 listed above to complete the restore process from here.
Once complete, the changes causing the problem will be discarded and Windows should start normally.