In a surprising move, Microsoft has begun limiting the validity of system restore points in Windows 11 to 60 days. A tough cut for users who value greater security through longer retention periods. In the following, we clarify what has changed, why this is so, what consequences this has – and how you can deal with the 60-day limit to prevent data loss.
What Happened? 🚨
- With the security update KB5060842, released on June 10, 2025 for Windows 11 version 24H2, a new limit was introduced – all restore points older than 60 days will be automatically deleted.
- Microsoft clarifies in the update history: This limit applies to all builds within 24H2.
- Previously, the typical maximum was about 90 days, with sometimes shorter time windows for heavily used storage.
Why 60 Days of all Things?
- Create consistency:
Microsoft is responding to user complaints about inconsistent retention periods with a clear, predictable upper limit. - Disk control:
A fixed period, regardless of the storage space used, brings more predictability.
Effects – What Does that Mean in Concrete Terms?
- Outdated snapshots disappear. Those who rarely perform updates or installations could previously easily fall back on restore points from 3 months ago. This is no longer possible.
- Return to the past is shortened. If a problem occurs months after installation, no official restore point is available anymore.
- Risk in the business/power user environment: Those who work deeply in system changes need reliable backup strategies over longer periods.
How to Protect Yourself from Data Loss
1. Actively Create Restore Points more Often
- Windows creates restore points by default every 7 days or when important changes are made.
- In the Task Scheduler, you can create a daily trigger to force automatic restore points.
2. Data Backup with Backup Software
- Windows-own tools:
- File History (File Backup)
- Create a system image (Full Backup)
3. Cloud Backup + Versioning
- Services like OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive offer file versioning for changes.
4. Alternatives: Volume Shadow Copy + Tools
- Advanced users can work with ShadowProtect, VSS and similar tools.
Pro & Contra of the Elimination of Old Restore Points
| Pro | Contra |
|---|---|
| Consistency in management | No recourse to old restore points possible |
| Less storage consumption | Higher maintenance effort through own backups |
| Predictable behavior | Additional tools necessary |
Checklist: 5 Immediate Measures
- Activate recovery, check storage space
- Set up Task Scheduler rule for daily restore points
- Define backup strategy (monthly complete, weekly incremental)
- Activate cloud services (OneDrive, Dropbox etc.)
- Test recovery processes
Why Microsoft is Doing This
- Clearer rules
- Performance optimization
- Storage space reduction
Conclusion
- Windows 11 24H2 introduces a fixed 60-day limit for restore points
- Users must act more proactively
- Additional backup solutions are becoming more important than ever
