Windows Help

How to Use System Restore in Windows 10 and 11

System Restore lets you roll Windows back to an earlier working state without affecting your personal files. Here's how to use it and what it can — and can't — fix.

Emily Carter Updated Jun 8, 2026 · 2 min read
How to Use System Restore in Windows 10 and 11
Photo: Windows · Unsplash
On this page
  1. What System Restore Does and Doesn't Do
  2. Making Sure System Restore Is Enabled
  3. Running a System Restore
  4. System Restore From Recovery Mode
  5. If No Restore Points Exist

System Restore is one of Windows' most underused tools. It takes snapshots of your system settings and registry at key moments — before Windows Updates, before driver installs — and lets you roll back to any of those snapshots if something goes wrong. Importantly, it does not touch your personal files.

What System Restore Does and Doesn't Do

  • Does restore: System files, Windows Registry, installed program files, drivers.
  • Does not restore: Your documents, photos, email, downloads — personal files are never affected.
  • Does not restore: Programs installed after the restore point was created — those will need to be reinstalled.

Making Sure System Restore Is Enabled

System Restore is sometimes turned off, especially on PCs with small drives. Check it first:

  1. Search for Create a restore point in the Start menu and open it.
  2. Under Protection Settings, check that your C: drive shows On.
  3. If it shows Off, select the C: drive, click Configure, choose Turn on system protection, and set disk space usage to 5–10%.

Running a System Restore

  1. Search for Create a restore point and open it.
  2. Click System Restore…
  3. Click Next. You'll see a list of restore points with their dates and descriptions.
  4. Choose a restore point from before the problem started. If you're not sure, choose the oldest available point.
  5. Click Scan for affected programs to see what will be removed or restored.
  6. Click Next, then Finish to confirm.

Your PC will restart and the restoration process takes 10–15 minutes. Do not turn it off during this time.

System Restore From Recovery Mode

If Windows won't boot at all, you can run System Restore from the Windows Recovery Environment:

  1. Hold Shift while clicking Restart, or boot from a Windows installation USB.
  2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.

If No Restore Points Exist

If System Restore was disabled or no snapshots were made, you won't have this option. In that case, consider a Windows Reset (keeping files) — see our guide on resetting Windows 11 without losing files.

Frequently asked questions

Will System Restore delete my photos and documents?

No. System Restore only affects Windows system files, the registry, and installed programs. Your personal files — documents, photos, music, videos, downloads — are completely untouched, regardless of which restore point you choose. This is one area where the tool is genuinely safe to use.

I ran System Restore but it didn't fix the problem. Can I undo the restore?

Yes. If a System Restore doesn't help or makes things worse, you can undo it. Go back to Create a restore point > System Restore, and you'll see an option to 'Undo System Restore' at the top of the restore point list. This brings your system back to exactly where it was before you ran the restore.

Emily Carter

Windows and home-networking specialist who has walked hundreds of readers through slow-PC, printer and Wi-Fi fixes.

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