Creating a Restore Point can save you from the hassle of going through a fresh Windows installation whenever Windows fails to work properly. In this article, we will learn how to create a restore point in Windows 11. We will also learn how to use restore point to restore PC when it’s not working well.
Windows occasionally run into critical issues that interrupt the normal functioning of a PC. This may happen after a Windows update or any other system changes. Also if new drivers are not installed properly, this problem may occur. Hence, PC malfunctions or starts crashing frequently. This problem can however be solved by a fresh installation of Windows. But it’s more hectic and can take a couple of hours to complete. Thus, instead of fresh Windows installation, you can use Restore Points to reset the PC to a previous state.
Let’s learn about Restore Points and how to create a Restore Point in Windows 11 in detail.
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What are Restore Points?
Whenever Windows runs into a critical problem, you might have to install Windows again so that it works normally. This is actually quite a time-consuming and hectic process. Thus, to help you not go through this ordeal, Windows have this amazing feature called Restore points. Now, what Restore Point does is it create a backup image of current system files, registry settings, installed programs & drivers. So, whenever Windows runs into a problem, you can use the restore point to get back to a position where Windows is working properly.
It is less time-consuming and is easier than the fresh installation of Windows.
Note: Restore Point doesn’t create a backup of personal files. Hence, backing up your files from time to time is recommended to avoid losing important data.
How to Turn On Automatic Restore Points Creation in Windows 11
Generally, System Restore is turned on for the PC’s boot drive by the Windows Operating system. Normally the C drive is the boot drive but if the PC is configured differently, the boot drive will likely vary.
Therefore, whenever there are any big system changes like Windows Update, Windows will create Restore Points automatically. This ensures that you can revert to the previous Windows settings when you face System issues.
However, if System Restore is not turned on your device, you have to turn it on so that Windows can automatically create Restore points.
Here is how you can turn on automatic Restore Point Creation in Windows 11:
1. Search for Restore Point using Windows Search Tool. Go ahead and select Create a restore point option below.
2. When System Properties box opens, click System Protection tab.
3. Now, in the Protection Settings part, ensure that Protection is turned on.
4. If not turned on, select Configure option.
5. Hit Turn On System Protection.
Now, the next step involves the allocation of space for saving Restore Points with the help of a slider.
Finally, hit Apply & then click OK.
Windows can now create Restore Points automatically before any major system changes.
In the next section, we will teach you how to create a restore point on Windows 11 manually.
How to create a restore point in Windows
Windows Operating System generally creates restore points automatically whenever there is a Windows update or any system changes. However, we can also create restore points by ourselves for extra protection before making any system changes. Below are the steps on how to create a system restore point in Windows:
1. Use Windows Search Tool and search for Restore Point. Then, select Create a Restore Point option in the search results.
2. This will open System Properties. Click the System Protection tab.
Hit Create Option.
3. Name the Restore Point and give a short description for easy identification during System Restore.
Hit Create.
Restore Point will be created within a few minutes. A notification will also confirm the same.
How to use System Restore Point on Windows
Method 1:
Whenever the PC you are using malfunctions or crashes, you can go back to your previous System Settings. This is however possible if Restore points are created on your device. Using this point, you can go back to your previous system settings which will likely solve your problem. However, resetting the PC to previous settings should be considered as the last resort if every other option fail. But it will ensure troubleshooting of major Windows system errors.
This is how you can use Restore Point on Windows:
1. Search for Restore Point using Windows Search Tool. Now, select Create a Restore Point option in the search results below
4. Click System Protection tab when System Properties box opens.
Hit System Restore option.
5. Select Next.
6. You will find all the created Restore points here.
7. Click Show more restore points if you can’t spot the restore point you are looking for.
8. Select the restore point of your preference.
Hit Scan for affected programs.
9. Scanning will begin
10. After scanning, windows will show all the drivers & programs that will either get restored or deleted on completion of the process. Select Close
11. Hit Next.
12. A confirmation message will pop up displaying the list of affected programs and drivers. Select Finish.
13. You will be warned that once the restoration process starts, it cannot be terminated. Click Yes to move to the next step.
14. A restore point will be created first for the current state. Then PC will restart for initiation of the restoration process.
15. Wait for the process to be completed. Once completed, you will be able to log in to your device. And you will be notified whether the restoration process was successful or not.
Method 2:
There may be times when you need to do the system restore, but you are unable to access the System Properties box. In that case, you have to open the Advanced Startup option to initiate the restoration process. Here’s how you can do it:
1. If your Computer is still on, power off your device by holding down the Power button. Once shut down, press it again to start the PC again. Don’t let it boot. Press and hold the Power button once again to shut it down. Repeat the process 3-4 times until you see Advanced Startup option.
Alternate ways to open Advanced Startup option:
A) Another way to get to the Advanced Startup option is to select the Restart option after clicking the Power icon from Windows Start Menu. And continue to press and hold the Shift Key till the process is going on.
B) Similarly, you can open Settings by searching it using Windows Search Tool.
Then, click Windows Update from the left menu bar. Now head to the Additional options part and click Recovery.
You will see the Advanced startup. Click Restart now option there.
Once you’ve opened Advanced Startup option using any of the 3 methods, let’s get to the next steps:
2. From the Advance Startup Page, hit Troubleshoot option.
3. Next, click Advanced options.
4. Select System Restore
4. Choose your Windows account and verify it by entering the password.
5. Next, hit Continue.
6. Select Restore Point.
7. Hit Scan for affected programs and let it scan.
8. It will show all the drivers and programs that will be affected. Select Close.
9. Then click Next
10. Confirm the restoration process by clicking Finish.
10. Click Yes when a warning message appears telling you that you cannot terminate the process once started.
11. Wait for the restoration process to complete. Once completed, log in to your device and check whether the process was successful or not.
Summing Up
I am hopeful that after reading this article you have learned how to create a permanent restore point in Windows 11. System Restore allows you to help PC get back to previous settings to counter frequent crashes & malfunctions.
This option is one of the easiest recovery options available when the PC fails to perform properly. I recommend turning on the System Restore Creation for Windows for creating important Restore points.
If you feel you have too many restore points created on PC, you can also choose to delete them one by one or by using Disk Clean Up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Windows 11 have restore points?/ Does Windows automatically create restore points?
Yes, Windows automatically creates Restore Points.
How do I manually create a restore point driver?/ How do you create a restore point in Windows to a previous date?
To create a Restore Point, search for Restore Point with the Windows Search tool. Now, select Create a Restore Point option. Now on the System Protection tab under System Properties, click Restore. Name it and describe it for easier identification and finally click Create.
Why are there no restore points in Windows 10/11?
You will have no restore points in Windows if you have accidentally deleted all the restore points. Or if automatic system Restore Point Creation is not turned on your device.
How do I get to a restore point in Windows 10/11?
Go to Create a Restore Point option by searching for it using the Search tool. Next, click the System Protection tab from the System Properties box. Click System Restore and hit Next. You will see Restore Points now. Select Show more restore points to see all the restore points.
