System Restore uses a feature called system protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses.

What is System Restore?

System Restore is a feature in Windows, first introduced in Windows XP which allows users to restore their computers to a previous state without losing any data. If any file or software on installation creates a problem in Windows than System Restore can be used. Every time there is a problem in Windows, formatting Windows is not the solution. System Restore saves the hassle of formatting Windows again & again by restoring the system to the previous state without losing the data & files.

How to use System Restore on Windows 10

How to Create a System Restore point

System Restore means rolling back your system to the old configuration. This old configuration is either user-specific or automatic. To make the System Restore user-specific you have to create a System Restore point. This System Restore point is the configuration to which your system will revert back when you do a System Restore.

How to use System Restore on Windows 10How to Create a System Restore pointHow to Perform System RestoreSystem Restore in Safe ModeSystem Restore when the device is not booting up

To create a System Restore point in Windows 10, follow the below steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + S to bring up the search then type Create a restore point & click on the search result that appeared.

  2. The System Properties window will pop up. Under Protection Settings, click on the Configure button to configure the restore settings for the drive.

  3. Checkmark Turn on system protection under restore settings and select the Max usage under disk usage.

  4. Under the System Properties tab click on the Create button.

  5. Enter the name of the restore point and click Create.

  6. A Restore point will be created in a few moments.

Now, this restore point created by you can be used in the future to restore your system settings to this Restore point state. In the future, if any problem occurs you can restore your system to this Restore point and all the changes will be reverted back to this point.

How to Perform System Restore

Now once you have created a system restore point or a system restore point already exists in your system, you can easily restore your PC to the old configuration using the restore points.

Also Read: How to Repair Corrupted System Files in Windows 10

To use System Restore on Windows 10, follow the below steps:

  1. In the Start Menu search type Control Panel. Click on the Control Panel from the search result to open it.

  2. Under Control panel click on System and Security option.

  3. Next, click on the System option.

  4. Click on System Protection from the top left-hand side of the System window.

  5. System property window will pop up. Choose the drive for which you want to perform the System Perform under the protection settings then click on System Restore.

  6. A System Restore window will pop up, click Next.

  7. List of System Restore points will appear. Choose the most recent System Restore point from the list then click Next.

  8. A confirmation dialogue box will appear. Finally, click on Finish.

  9. Click on Yes when a message Prompts as – Once Started, System Restore cannot be interrupted.

After some time the process will complete. Remember, once the System Restore process you cannot stop it and it will take some time to complete so don’t panic or don’t try to forcefully cancel the process.

System Restore in Safe Mode

Due to some serious Windows issues or software conflict, it might be possible that System Restore won’t work and your system won’t be able to roll back to the desired Restore point. To overcome this problem, you need to start the Windows in Safe Mode. In safe mode, only the essential part of the Window runs meaning any problematic software, apps, drivers or settings will be disabled. System Restore done this way is usually successful.

To access Safe Mode and perform a System Restore on Windows 10, follow the below steps:

  1. Start Windows in Safe mode Using any of the methods listed here.

  2. The system will start in Safe mode with multiple options. Click on the Troubleshoot option.

  3. Under Troubleshoot, Click on Advanced Options.

  4. Under Advanced options there will be six options, click on System Restore and the system restore process will start.

  5. It will ask for the System Restore point to which you want to restore the System. Select the most recent restore point.

System Restore when the device is not booting up

It might be the case that the device is not booting or the Windows is not starting as it’s start normally. So, to perform System Restore in these conditions, follow these steps:

  1. When opening the system continuously press the F8 key so that you can enter the Boot menu.

  2. Now you will see the Troubleshoot window and under that click on Advanced options.

  3. Click on the System Restore option and the rest is the same as mentioned above.

While we’re focusing on Windows 10, but the same steps can get you through to System Restore on windows 8.1 and windows 7.

Though System Restore is really very helpful certain things should be kept in mind while dealing with System Restore.

System Restore will not protect your system from viruses and other malware. If you created any new user accounts since the last restore point was set, it will be erased, and however, the data files that the user-created will remain. System Restore does not serve the purpose of Windows backup.

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Hopefully, using one of the above methods you will be able to use System Restore on Windows 10. But if you still have any questions or you’re stuck in some step feel free to reach out in the comment section.