Use System Restore in Windows 11 and Windows 10

Steps written for Windows 11 and Windows 10 (the steps are the same).

1. 1

   Open System Restore

   Press Windows+R, type the command below and press Enter. You can also open Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore. If a first page opens, select Next.

   rstrui.exe

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2. 2

   Choose a restore point

   Select a restore point from a time before the problem started. The Description often names the event, such as a driver or app install. If the one you need is missing, select Show more restore points (shown only when there are more).

   

3. 3

   See what will change

   Select Scan for affected programs. The upper list shows programs and drivers that will be removed; the lower list shows those that might come back and may need to be reinstalled. Select Close.

   

4. 4

   Start the restore

   Select Next, check the summary and select Finish. Windows restarts and applies the restore point. Do not turn the PC off.

5. 5

   Check the result

   After sign-in Windows reports whether the restore succeeded. Check whether the problem is gone.

Steps written for Windows 11 and Windows 10, from the Windows Recovery Environment.

When Windows keeps failing to start, it usually opens the recovery environment by itself. Otherwise use step 1.

1. 1

   Open the recovery environment

   On the sign-in screen or in the Start menu, select Power, hold Shift and select Restart. For other ways, see Start Windows or a Mac in Safe Mode.

   

2. 2

   Go to Advanced options

   Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

   

3. 3

   Select System Restore

   Select System Restore. If the drive is encrypted, enter your BitLocker recovery key when asked.

   

4. 4

   Choose a restore point and finish

   Select a restore point from before the problem, optionally Scan for affected programs, then select Next and Finish.

5. 5

   Restart

   When the restore is done, select Restart.

Steps written for Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Microsoft does not turn System Protection on by default. Turn it on and make a restore point before you change drivers, the registry or system settings.

1. 1

   Open System Protection

   Select Start, type Create a restore point and open the result. This opens System Properties on the System Protection tab.

   

2. 2

   Turn on protection if it is Off

   Select the Windows drive, select Configure, choose Turn on system protection, set the disk space with the slider and select Apply.

3. 3

   Create the restore point

   Back on the tab, select Create, type a description (for example the change you are about to make) and select Create.