How to Change Maximum Disk Usage for Point-in-Time Restore in Windows 11
Point-in-time restore in Windows 11 lets you roll back your system files and settings to an earlier date when a problem occurs. It relies on the Volume Shadow Copy Service (a background feature that takes snapshots of your drive) to save those recovery points.
Adjusting the storage limit prevents Windows 11 from eating up too much drive space while still keeping enough backups to protect your data. You can change this limit using built-in settings without needing any extra software.
Adjust the Maximum usage limit slider in Settings System Recovery Point-in-time restore You can also use the Registry Editor under 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSetupRecoveryPITRSettings to set a custom size in MB.
Why manage disk usage for restore points?
Windows needs a specific amount of space to store these snapshots. If you do not set a limit, VSS might use more space than you want. Setting a limit helps you balance between having enough recovery options and keeping your hard drive free for your own files.
What happens when you change the limit?
Windows stops creating new restore points once that space limit is full. It then deletes the oldest points to make room for new ones. If you set the limit too low, you may find that you have no restore points available when you actually need them.
How to Change Maximum Disk Usage in Settings
Adjusting the maximum disk usage for Windows 11 restore points in the Settings app lets you control how much drive space your recovery history takes up. By changing this limit, you can stop old restore points from filling up your hard drive while still keeping enough backups to undo recent system changes.
1. Open Settings by pressing Win+I on your keyboard.
2. Click System on the left, then select Recovery on the right.
3. Under Recovery options, click Point-in-time restore or the View or edit button.
4. Move the Maximum usage limit slider to choose between 2 GB and 50 GB.
Advanced Configuration via Registry Editor
Modifying Windows 11 restore points through the Registry Editor gives you precise control over your maximum disk usage limits beyond the standard Settings app options. Using Registry Editor lets administrators set custom storage boundaries for Volume Shadow Copy service checkpoints when the main interface does not give you the exact size you need.
1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\Recovery\PITR\Settings
3. Double-click MaxGlobalSize_UX in the right pane.
4. Select Decimal and enter your desired size in MB (e.g., 10240 for 10 GB). Click OK.
Troubleshooting: Volsnap Event ID 36
If you see Volsnap Event ID 36 in your Event Viewer, the shadow copy storage is running out of space or is being aborted. To fix this, increase your Maximum usage limit using the steps above. Ensure your drive has at least 15% free space to prevent VSS from failing.
Best Practices for Storage
Choosing the right storage limit for Windows 11 restore points depends on your total drive size and how far back you need to undo system changes. Setting a balanced limit between 10 GB and 20 GB keeps your computer running smoothly without wasting valuable hard drive space on unnecessary system backups.
Summary
Managing Windows 11 restore points storage prevents unexpected disk space shortages and protects your computer against system errors. Regularly checking your maximum disk usage limits ensures you always have enough recovery points ready for emergencies without crowding your main hard drive.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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