How to create a restore point in Windows and roll back with System Restore

If your computer slowed down, started showing errors or gets stuck at startup after you installed a program, updated a driver or changed a setting, you often do not need to reinstall Windows. The System Restore feature in Windows takes system files, registry settings and installed programs back to how they were at an earlier restore point; it does not touch your documents, photos or other personal files.

According to Microsoft, the System Protection feature behind it is not turned on by default. So in the first half of this guide we turn protection on and create a point by hand; in the second half we show how to roll back when something goes wrong, both from within Windows and from the Recovery Environment when Windows will not start. The steps are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.

1. Open the System Protection window Select <strong>Start</strong>, type <strong>Create a restore point</strong> in the search box and select it from the results. You can also press Windows + R, type <strong>systempropertiesprotection.exe</strong> and press Enter. The <strong>System Properties</strong> window opens with the <strong>System Protection</strong> tab selected. The list shows whether protection is on or off next to drive C:.
2. Turn on system protection If protection is off, select drive C: in the list and select <strong>Configure...</strong>. Choose <strong>Turn on system protection</strong>. Use the slider to set the maximum disk space protection can use; when it fills up, older points are deleted to make room for new ones. Select <strong>Apply</strong> and close the window with <strong>OK</strong>. From now on Windows creates points by itself during significant changes such as program and update installations.
3. Create a restore point by hand On the same <strong>System Protection</strong> tab, select <strong>Create...</strong>. Type a description you will recognize later, for example "Before printer driver"; the date and time are added automatically. Select <strong>Create</strong> and wait for the message saying it is done. Repeating this step before installing a new driver, editing the registry or installing a program you are unsure about is a good habit.
4. Prepare before rolling back If the problem started after a recent change, save your open documents and close your programs before you decide to roll back. The computer restarts during the restore and the process should not be interrupted, so plug in your laptop. Programs and drivers installed after the point you choose will be removed, so you may need to reinstall them later.
5. Open System Restore Open <strong>Control Panel</strong>, select <strong>Recovery</strong> and choose <strong>Open System Restore</strong>. As a shortcut, press Windows + R, type <strong>rstrui.exe</strong> and press Enter. When the <strong>Restore system files and settings</strong> box opens, select <strong>Next</strong>.
6. Pick the right restore point From the points listed with their date, description and type, choose the one just before the problem began. If you do not see the point you want, select the <strong>Show more restore points</strong> check box. After choosing, select <strong>Scan for affected programs</strong> to see which programs and drivers the restore will affect; make a note of the list.
7. Start the restore and wait for it to finish Once you have found the proper point, select <strong>Next</strong> and then <strong>Finish</strong>. Windows applies the restore point and restarts automatically; do not turn the computer off while this happens. After it starts, you will see a message saying whether the restore succeeded. If the problem continues, open System Restore again and try an older point.
8. If Windows will not start, open the Recovery Environment If Windows still starts, go to <strong>Settings > System > Recovery</strong> and select <strong>Restart now</strong> next to <strong>Advanced startup</strong> (on Windows 10, Update & Security > Recovery). Holding the Shift key while you select <strong>Power > Restart</strong> takes you to the same place. If Windows does not start at all, turn the computer on and, as soon as the Windows logo appears, hold the power button until it shuts down; do this twice, and on the third start select <strong>Advanced options</strong> on the <strong>Automatic Repair</strong> screen.
9. Apply a restore point from the Recovery Environment In the Recovery Environment, select <strong>Troubleshoot</strong>, then <strong>Advanced options</strong> and <strong>System Restore</strong>. If the drive is encrypted, you may be asked for the BitLocker recovery key at this point. Choose the point from the list, using <strong>Show more restore points</strong> and <strong>Scan for affected programs</strong> if needed, then select <strong>Next</strong> and <strong>Finish</strong>. When it is done, select <strong>Restart</strong>.

⚠ This guide is general information. Yudum cannot be held responsible for the outcome of following it; for official procedures always rely on the institution's own statement. Steps and fees change over time.

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