In the previous blog post, we gave you some tips on what you can do if your PC no longer shuts down properly. We deliberately kept one solution—namely, restoring to a previous restore point—brief, as there is a lot to tell about restore points. We will now make up for this in this blog post and answer the most important questions about restore points in Microsoft Windows.
What are restore points?
Restore points are copies of the entire Microsoft Windows system at a specific time. They allow the user to revert the system and configuration files of their entire operating system to the state it was in when the restore point was created. This process may involve deleting system files and undoing installations. This type of system restore has no impact on private files such as pictures, documents, music, videos, etc.
When should you use restore points?
Whenever you encounter problems with your system that you cannot solve in other ways, it is advisable to use a restore point. The system will then be reverted to the state it was in at a certain point in time (before the said problem appeared). It is therefore important to choose a restore point where your Windows was in working order. Nothing is gained by reverting a defective system to an earlier state where it was already defective.
This function is often used when there were problems during a system update and an update could not be installed or was not installed correctly. However, viruses or faulty software can also be a possible trigger. In such cases, you simply revert the PC to the state it was in about 1 to 2 weeks ago and reinstall the update or software.
Who creates restore points?
There are two ways to create restore points:
1. You manually create a restore point.
There can be several reasons for this, such as:
- Your system is currently running perfectly, and you would like a backup of this system status.
- You have a major update ahead of you and want to create a fallback option to which you can return in an emergency.
2. Windows automatically creates a restore point.
Windows also creates restore points from time to time – but also deletes them regularly as soon as a newer one is created. After all, restore points occupy free disk space.
How do I manually create a restore point?
Here is a detailed step-by-step guide. Before following these instructions, it is best to close all programs. To create a restore point, proceed as follows:
- Open your Control Panel.
- In the Control Panel window, click System and Security.
- Then click Security and Maintenance.
- And finally, click "Recovery".
- Now you have three options. Select the third one, "Configure System Restore," to create a point (or several points) for recovery.
- In the "System Protection" tab (opens in a new window), click "Create...". Note: If "Create" is grayed out, as in the right screenshot, first select your main drive, then go to "Configure..." and check "Turn on system protection." Then click OK. At the latest now, you can create a restore point by clicking "Create...".
- Give your restore point a name (date and time are added automatically).
- After another click on "Create", the restore point is generated.
How do I revert my system using a restore point?
- To load an existing restore point, proceed exactly as described in the previous question "Create a restore point".
- Instead of configuring System Restore, you then click on the second option, the "Open System Restore" button.
- Click "Next" and then you will have the choice between all saved restore points.
- Select the desired restore point, click "Next", then "Finish" and confirm again with "Yes".
The subsequent system restore cannot be interrupted. A message will inform you of this. However, after a certain time, it will be completed, and you can use your computer again. It will then function as it did at the time you created the restore point.
Note: Both step-by-step guides use screenshots from Windows 10, but they work very similarly for Windows 11.
What is the difference to a fresh installation?
A fresh installation means you completely reset your computer. You wipe everything and reinstall the operating system. This process usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour. All private and personal data (pictures, movies, music, documents, etc.) on the corresponding hard drive will be lost, as will already installed software or toolbars. All settings you have made will also be gone. While special tools like the SecuPerts Rescue Stick can still find and save data even after formatting a hard drive or reinstalling Windows, you should normally back up all your data before any fresh installation.
Restore points only affect your system. The system will be reverted to exactly the state it was in on the day you created the restore point. This can result in minor adjustments you made to the system in the meantime being lost. Tools and programs you installed in the interim may also be affected. However, private data is completely ignored. This is usually the easiest way to fix an unwelcome Windows problem.
And another small tip: Even if you don't explicitly need to back up your data for this type of reset...
It's never wrong to have a complete, up-to-date backup of your own data. System restore points could be a good opportunity to check if your backup is still current.
