How To Do A System Restore On Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

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6 min. read

Published on October 14, 2025

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System Restore is a powerful tool built into Windows 11 that allows you to revert your computer’s system files, registry settings, and installed programs to a previous state. This can be incredibly useful when you encounter problems after installing new software, drivers, or updates, or when your system becomes unstable for any reason. By restoring your system to a point before the issue occurred, you can often resolve these problems without losing personal data.

This guide will walk you through the process of performing a system restore on Windows 11, ensuring you can effectively troubleshoot and resolve system issues. We’ll cover everything from checking if System Restore is enabled to selecting a restore point and completing the process. Let’s get started!

Need to Undo Changes? Here’s How to Restore Your Windows 11 System

Checking if System Restore is Enabled

Before attempting a system restore, it’s crucial to verify that the feature is enabled on your Windows 11 computer. If it’s not enabled, you won’t have any restore points to revert to. Here’s how to check:

Search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and click on the result.
In the System Properties window, under the “Protection Settings” section, look for your system drive (usually C:).
If the “Protection” status is “Off,” select the drive and click “Configure.”
Choose “Turn on system protection” and adjust the “Max Usage” slider to allocate space for restore points. This determines how much disk space is used for storing restore points. A good starting point is 5-10% of your drive.
Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Creating a System Restore Point (Optional but Recommended)

While Windows 11 automatically creates restore points periodically, it’s always a good idea to manually create one before making significant changes to your system, such as installing new software or drivers.

Search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and click on the result.
In the System Properties window, click the “Create” button.
Enter a descriptive name for the restore point (e.g., “Before installing new graphics driver”) and click “Create.”
Wait for the restore point to be created. This may take a few minutes.
Click “Close” when the process is complete.

Performing the System Restore

Now that you’ve confirmed System Restore is enabled (and optionally created a manual restore point), you can proceed with the restoration process.

Search for “Create a restore point” in the Windows search bar and click on the result.
In the System Properties window, click the “System Restore” button.
In the System Restore window, click “Next.”
You will see a list of available restore points. If you created a manual restore point, it should be listed here. Check the “Show more restore points” box if you don’t see the one you’re looking for.
Select the restore point you want to use. It’s generally best to choose the most recent one before the problem occurred.
Click “Scan for affected programs” to see which programs and drivers will be affected by the restore. This will help you understand what changes will be undone.
Click “Close” after the scan is complete.
Click “Next.”
Confirm your restore point selection and click “Finish.”
A warning message will appear stating that the system restore cannot be interrupted once started. Click “Yes” to proceed.
Your computer will restart and begin the system restore process. This may take some time, so be patient.
Once the system restore is complete, your computer will restart again. You will see a message indicating whether the restore was successful.

Tips for a Smooth System Restore

Back Up Your Data: While System Restore is designed to not affect personal files, it’s always a good idea to back up your important data before performing a restore.
Close All Programs: Before starting the System Restore process, close all open programs and save your work.
Disable Antivirus Software: Temporarily disable your antivirus software before performing a system restore, as it can sometimes interfere with the process. Remember to re-enable it after the restore is complete.
Consider Safe Mode: If you’re having trouble performing a system restore from within Windows, you can try booting into Safe Mode and running System Restore from there.
Document Errors: Note any error messages that appear during the restore process. These messages can help you troubleshoot the issue if the restore fails.

Rolling Back Your Windows 11 System

System Restore is a valuable feature that can help you resolve a wide range of system issues by reverting your computer to a previous, stable state. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively use System Restore to troubleshoot and fix problems on your Windows 11 computer, saving you time and frustration.

FAQ

Will System Restore delete my files? No, System Restore is designed to not affect your personal files, such as documents, pictures, and music. However, it will remove programs and drivers that were installed after the restore point was created.

How long does System Restore take? The duration of System Restore can vary depending on the size of your hard drive and the amount of data that needs to be restored. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more.

What happens if System Restore fails? If System Restore fails, you may see an error message. You can try selecting a different restore point or troubleshooting the issue further. In some cases, you may need to reinstall Windows.

How often should I create a System Restore point? It’s a good idea to create a System Restore point before making any significant changes to your system, such as installing new software or drivers. You can also create restore points periodically, such as once a month.

Can I undo a System Restore? Yes, you can undo a System Restore if you’re not happy with the results. To do this, simply run System Restore again and select the option to undo the previous restore.

System Restore vs. Other Recovery Options

Feature	System Restore	Reset This PC
Data Impact	Does not affect personal files.	Can remove all personal files (depending on option).
Changes Reverted	Reverts system files, registry settings, and installed programs.	Reinstalls Windows, removing apps and settings.
Use Case	Troubleshooting software or driver issues.	Resolving more serious system problems or preparing to sell the PC.
Speed	Generally faster.	Generally slower.