In a nutshell, what the Windows System Restore tool lets you do is revert to a previous software, registry, and driver configuration called a restore point. It’s like “undoing” the last major change to Windows, taking your computer back to the way it was when the restore point was created. Since a majority of Windows problems involve issues with at least one of those aspects of your operating system, System Restore is a great tool to use early in the troubleshooting process. It also helps that it’s really simple to do. Using the System Restore tool to undo/reverse changes in Windows usually takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, at least in most cases. Follow these easy steps to return Windows to a previous, hopefully working, state using System Restore:
How to Use System Restore in Windows 11, 10, 8, or 8.1
Now that the System Restore is complete, check to see that whatever issue you were trying to fix is actually corrected. You’ll see a small System Restore window that says Preparing to restore your system…, after which Windows will almost completely shut down. You’ll also see various messages appear underneath like System Restore is initializing…, System Restore is restoring the registry…, and System Restore is removing temporary files…. All in all, this will probably take around 15 minutes. If System Restore did not correct the problem, you can either a) repeat the steps above, choosing an even older restore point, assuming one is available, or b) continue troubleshooting the problem. If this System Restore caused an additional problem, you can undo it, assuming it wasn’t completed from Safe Mode (see the Important call-out in Step 10). To undo a System Restore in Windows, repeat steps 1 through 6 above and choose Undo System Restore.
How to Use System Restore in Windows 7 or Windows Vista
Check to see if whatever Windows 7 or Windows Vista problem you were troubleshooting has been corrected by this System Restore. If the problem still persists, you can repeat the steps above and choose another restore point if one is available. If this restoration caused a problem, you can always undo this particular System Restore.
How to Use System Restore in Windows XP
You can now check to see if the System Restore fixed whatever Windows XP issue you were trying to fix. If not, you can always try an earlier restore point, if you have one. If the System Restore made things worse, you can always undo it.
More About System Restore & Restore Points
The Windows System Restore utility will not in any way affect your non-system files like documents, music, video, emails, etc. If you were hoping that Windows System Restore would, in fact, restore or “undelete” any deleted non-system files, try a file recovery program instead. Restore points don’t usually need to be created manually. Assuming System Restore is enabled and working properly, Windows, as well as other programs, should regularly create restore points at critical junctures like prior to a patch being applied, before a new program is installed, etc. See What Is a Restore Point? for a greater discussion on restore points and how they work. System Restore can also be started in any version of Windows by executing rstrui.exe, which might be helpful in certain situations, like when you need to run it from Safe Mode or another limited-access situation. See How to Start System Restore From the Command Prompt if you need help doing that.
