Windows 10 System Restore

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.
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    Settings categories appear.

  3. Click Update & security.
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    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.
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  7. Choose Troubleshoot.
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  8. Choose Advanced options.
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  9. Select an option.
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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.
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    Your computer settings appear.

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

Here's how you create a restore point.

  1. Click Create under Protection Settings from the System Protection tab.
    System restore.
  2. Type a description for the restore point.
  3. Click Create.
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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.
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  2. Click Next.
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  3. Select a restore point.
  4. Click Next.
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  5. Confirm the restore point and system restoration, and then click Finish.
    System restore.

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

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