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Enable System Restore and Create a Restore Point

System Restore is off by default on many Windows 11 installs, which is why the rescue option is missing exactly when it is needed.

by@guidox updated:10/31/26 time:10 min level:Beginner tested on:Windows 11 24H2 works on:Windows 10, Windows 11 tools:Admin rights
TL;DR

Turn on protection for the **system drive**, set a disk allowance, then create a point before every driver or update change. A restore point reverts Windows files, not your documents.

Before you start

Requirements

  • Admin rights
  • A few gigabytes free
  • Ten minutes
Step by step

Instructions

01

Check whether protection is on

The system properties page shows protection status per drive. On a fresh install it is often off, and the restore wizard then has nothing to offer.

SystemPropertiesProtection.exe
02

Enable it for the system drive

Select the system drive, choose configure, and turn on system protection. The same dialog holds the disk space slider.

03

Give it enough space

Five to ten percent of the drive holds several points. Too little space means one or two points before the oldest is deleted automatically.

vssadmin list shadowstorage
tipA point made before a big update is worth more than five routine ones. Delete old points manually when space is tight.
04

Create a point with a clear name

The wizard takes a description. Write what you are about to change, so the right point is obvious three weeks later in a list of five.

Checkpoint-Computer -Description pre-gpu-driver-566 -RestorePointType MODIFY_SETTINGS
05

Know what it does not cover

Documents, photos and program installs in their own folders are not restored. The point covers Windows files, drivers and registry settings.

⚠ warningWindows deletes points after a feature update to free space. Keep a separate backup of files that matter.
06

Test the wizard once

Open the restore wizard and look at the list without restoring anything. Knowing the name and the flow before an emergency is the whole point of doing this early.

rstrui.exe
Troubleshooting

Common issues

Creating a point fails

Protection is off for that drive, or the volume shadow service is stopped. Enable both.

No points are listed in the wizard

Space is too small or an update deleted them. Create a new point now.

The restore fails at the end

An antivirus driver interfered. Run the restore from safe mode.

Points vanish every week

The allowance is too small. Raise the slider.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Is this a backup?

No. It restores system state, not your files.

Does it slow the machine?

Only while a point is created, which takes seconds.

How to undo this

Nothing is changed by enabling protection. To remove the points, turn protection off and confirm the deletion in the same dialog.

Changelog · 1 entry
  1. 2026-10-31
    First version
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