System Restore Windows

Windows provides troubleshooting tools to help restore computer performance.

System Recovery Options

Follow these steps to complete a system recovery.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click the Settings button.
   

   Settings categories appear.

3. Click Update & security.
   

   Update, security, and backup settings appear.

4. Choose Recovery.
5. Click an option.
   • Reset this PC: Reinstall Windows while maintaining personal files. This should only be chosen for extreme issues.
   • Go back to an earlier build option: Restores Windows to an earlier version. This might not work, depending on your most recent update.
   • Advanced startup: Restart your computer into recovery mode, allowing for advanced troubleshooting.
   • Advanced startup: Restart your computer into recovery mode, allowing for advanced troubleshooting.
6. Click Restart now.
   
7. Choose Troubleshoot.
   
8. Choose Advanced options.
   
9. Select an option.
   

This table details the available advanced system recovery options.

Advanced Option	Description
System Restore	Reload an older restored file. Restored files are automatically created each week and before a major upgrade. This is helpful to use for poor computer performance after installing a new device or update.
System Image Recovery	Restore a complete copy of your computer system.
Startup Repair	Automatically search for and fix issues causing Windows to boot incorrectly.
Command Prompt	Load a text-based command line.
Startup Settings	Boot Windows in Safe Mode.

Turn on System Protection

Before you can restore a previous version of Windows, turn on system protection.

1. Enter Control in the search field.
2. Choose Control Panel.
   

   Your computer settings appear.

3. Click System and Security.
   
4. Click System.
   
5. Click Advanced system settings.
6. Click the System Protection tab.
7. Click Configure under Protection Settings.
   
8. Select Turn on system protection.
9. Click OK or Apply.
   

Create a Restore Point

Here's how you create a restore point.

1. Click Create under Protection Settings from the System Protection tab.
   
2. Type a description for the restore point.
3. Click Create.
   

Restore from a Restore Point

Follow these steps to restore Windows back to the previous day's version.

1. Click System Restore from the System Protection tab.
   
2. Click Next.
   
3. Select a restore point.
4. Click Next.
   
5. Confirm the restore point and system restoration, and then click Finish.
   

   Once a system restoration begins, it can't be stopped.

6. Once your computer restores the files and data, click Restart.