How to Apply a Restore Point from Within Windows 11 PC

Applying a Restore Point from Within Windows

When your computer can still start up and you can get into Windows, this is the usual way to use System Restore. It’s like having an “undo” button for your computer.

Step 1Getting to System Restore

You can open System Restore in Windows 11 using either the 🎛️ Control Panel or a quick Run command shortcut.

• The 🎛️ Control Panel Way: Click the ⊞ Start button (the Windows logo in the corner). Type “🎛️ Control Panel” and select it when it appears. In the Control Panel, look for “Recovery” and click it. Then, you’ll see an option to “Open System Restore.” Click that.
  
• The Run Command Shortcut: This is a fast one! Press the Windows key and the R key on your keyboard together. This opens a small box called “Run.” In the box, type rstrui.exe and press Enter or click “OK.”

Step 2Starting the Restore

When the System Restore window opens, you’ll see a welcome message. Look for the option that says “restore your system files and settings.” Click the “Next” button to continue.

Step 3Picking Your Restore Point

You’ll choose your restore point from a list showing dates, times, and notes about what happened when it was saved.

• Check for Affected Programs: Before you decide, there’s a very helpful option called “Scan for affected programs.” We really suggest clicking this! It will show you which programs and drivers will be removed and which ones might be put back because they were installed after the restore point you’re thinking of using. This helps you avoid losing something important you installed recently.
  
• See More Options: If you don’t see a restore point that looks right, check the box that says “Show more restore points.” Sometimes Windows hides older ones, but they might be exactly what you need.
  

Warning: System Restore removes programs, drivers, and updates installed after your chosen restore point. Your personal files like documents, music, or pictures remain untouched. Still, it’s wise to back up your important data before making major system changes, just in case.

Step 4Confirming and Finishing

After you find the best restore point and check the affected programs, click on the restore point you want to use. Then, click “Next.”

You’ll see a final screen showing your choice. Make sure it’s the correct restore point. When you’re ready, click the “Finish” button.

Step 5The Restart

Windows will 🔄 restart your computer to apply the restore point, which can take some time, so don’t turn it off.

When it’s done, Windows will start up, and you should see a message saying if System Restore worked. If it did, your PC should be back to how it was when that restore point was created, and hopefully, the problem you had will be fixed!

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/system-restore-a5ae3ed9-07c4-fd56-45ee-096777ecd14e

Summary

System Restore in Windows 11 lets you go back to an earlier time to fix problems caused by new software or updates, without losing your personal files.