How to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 10

Edited 5 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Windows 10 is a popular operating system developed by Microsoft, which is used by millions of people around the world. While it is generally reliable, like any computer system, it can sometimes have problems. This is where the concept of System Restore comes in. System Restore is a feature in Windows that allows users to revert their computer's system files and settings to an earlier level without affecting personal files. This can be especially helpful if your system starts to malfunction after installing a new application or driver.

What is a system restore point?

A system restore point is essentially a snapshot of your computer's settings and system files at a given point in time. Windows creates these restore points automatically on a regular schedule or just before a critical system event such as the installation of a new driver or software update. However, you can also create restore points manually. Having a restore point ensures that if anything goes wrong, you have the option to revert to a previous state of your computer.

Why create a system restore point?

Here are some reasons to create a system restore point:

• Installation of new software or drivers: It is a good idea to create a restore point whenever you are about to install new software or drivers. This allows you to reverse any negative changes caused by the new installation.
• Perform system maintenance: If you plan to perform any maintenance on the system, such as cleaning the registry or making changes to system settings, having the latest restore point can serve as a safety net if these tasks cause unexpected problems.
• Before making major changes: If you plan to customize system settings, apply fixes, or make major changes, a restore point ensures that you have a fallback plan.

Steps to create a system restore point in Windows 10

Step 1: Open system properties

The first step to creating a system restore point in Windows 10 is to access the System Properties dialog box. Here's how you can do it:

• Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen.
• Type Create a reset point in the search box. You will see an option named Create a reset point in the search result. Click on this option.
• This action will open the System Properties window directly to the System Protection tab.

Step 2: Configure system security

Before you create a system restore point, you need to make sure that System Protection is enabled for your system drive, which is usually the C: drive where Windows is installed.

• In the System Properties window, locate the “Protection Settings” section. Here, you will see a list of available drives along with their protection status.
• Make sure the system drive (usually labeled "C:\Windows" or "System") has protection turned on.
• If it is off, select the system drive and click the Configure button.
• In the next window, select the Turn on system protection option.
• Allocate a portion of disk space for system protection. This space will be used to store restore point data. A typical configuration will probably allocate about 5% to 10% of the total disk space. This may vary depending on your specific needs.
• Click Apply and then OK to confirm these settings.

Step 3: Create a restore point

Now, you are ready to create a new system restore point. Here is how you can do it:

• In the System Properties window, you will find the Create button at the bottom. Click on it.
• You will be asked to enter a description for the restore point. It is a good practice to use a descriptive name that explains the reason behind creating the restore point, such as “Before installing XYZ software.”
• After entering the details, click on the Create button.
• Windows will start creating a restore point. This process may take a few minutes, so please be patient.
• When the process is complete, a confirmation dialog box will appear, informing you that the restore point has been created successfully.

Step 4: Verify the restore point

It's always a good idea to verify that your new restore point has been created and is functioning as expected. To do this, follow these steps:

• Return to the System Properties window by opening the System Protection tab.
• Click on the System Restore button.
• A new window named System Restore will open. Click on Next to proceed.
• You should see a list of available restore points, including the restore point you just created. Verify that the most recently created restore point matches the name and date.
• If everything looks correct, you can close the window.

Restoring your system using a restore point

If your system starts showing problems after making system changes, you can restore it back to a previous state using a system restore point. Here are the steps to restore your system:

• Press the Windows key or click the Start button and type restore in the search box.
• Select Create a restore point from the search results to reopen the System Properties window.
• Click on the System Restore button.
• In the System Restore window, click Next.
• Select the restore point you want to use from the list, then click Next.
• Follow the prompts to begin the restore process. Your computer will restart during this process.
• After the system restore is complete, you will receive a confirmation message indicating that the system restore has been completed successfully.

Thoughts and recommendations

• Remember that saving too many restore points will consume a significant amount of disk space. Therefore, Windows automatically deletes older restore points as needed.
• Create restore points regularly if possible, especially before making important system changes.
• System Restore does not affect personal files, but always back up any important data to other storage locations regularly.
• While System Restore is useful, it's not a substitute for a full backup. Consider using Windows Backup or another third-party backup solution for more comprehensive data protection.

Conclusion

Creating system restore points in Windows 10 is a simple yet effective way to protect your computer from unexpected changes and problems. By following the steps provided, you can create these restore points whenever necessary, giving you peace of mind knowing how you can recover your system when something goes wrong. Taking advantage of this built-in feature can save users a great deal of time, effort, and potential data loss, resulting in a more robust and user-friendly computing experience.

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