How to use System Restore to undo a problem

System Restore takes Windows back to an earlier point, before a problem began. It is like an undo button for system changes. It does not delete your photos or documents, but it can remove programs and updates installed since that point.

Quick fixes to try first

• Restart the laptop first, in case it is only a passing glitch.
• Think about when the problem began, so you can pick a restore point from before that.
• Save open work and connect the charger.
• As a precaution, copy important files to a USB drive or OneDrive. System Restore is designed to be safe, but backups protect you.

Step by step

1. Click Start, type Create a restore point and press Enter.
2. In the System Properties window, click System Restore.
3. Click Next. You will see a list of restore points with dates and descriptions.
4. Choose one from before the problem began. Click Scan for affected programs to see what would be removed.
5. Click Next, then Finish, and confirm. The laptop will restart and may take a while. Do not switch it off.
6. When Windows starts, a message will say whether it worked.

If that did not work

• If the list is empty, protection may be turned off. Back on the System Protection tab, you can select your main drive and click Configure to turn it on for the future.
• If it will not complete, try a different, earlier restore point.
• If Windows will not start, you can reach System Restore from the blue recovery screen, under Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.

System Restore works the same way in Windows 10 and Windows 11, though some wording may differ.

When to get more help

Stop and email us if there are no restore points, the restore fails, the problem comes back, or you are not sure which point to pick. Please do not use the reset option as an alternative without a backup. Tell us what changed before the problem started.