How to List Windows 11 Restore Points
Listing Windows 11 restore points lets you see past snapshots of your computer’s system files and settings.
A restore point is like a save file for your PC, capturing its state at a specific time. This lets you rewind your computer to that earlier point if new software or updates cause problems.
Windows 11 often makes these restore points automatically, especially before big updates or when you install new drivers. If you have System Protection turned on for your main C: drive, it might also create one every 7 days.
Knowing how to view these restore points helps you pick one to fix issues from recent software or system changes.
You can list Windows 11 restore points by opening Settings, navigating to System > About, and clicking System protection. Then, click System Restore and check “Show more restore points.” Alternatively, use PowerShell (Admin) and run the command Get-ComputerRestorePoint.
How to see restore points in Settings
You can see your Windows 11 restore points through the Settings app. Open Settings and go to System, then About. You’ll find a link called System protection. Clicking this link opens a window where you can view your restore points and manage system protection settings.- Open the Windows Settings app. Press ⊞ Win+I on your keyboard.
- Go to System, then click About.
- Click the System protection link.
- In the window that opens, click the System Restore button.
- Check the box that says Show more restore points. You will now see a list of dates you can choose from to revert your computer.
How to see restore points using PowerShell
Using PowerShell, a powerful command-line tool for Windows, is a quick way to list all your Windows 11 restore points at once. You’ll need to open PowerShell as an administrator and then run a specific command. This method is great for getting a complete overview of your available restore points without navigating through menus.
[ADMIN REQUIRED] Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin). Then, type this command:
Get-ComputerRestorePoint | Format-Table -AutoSize
Your screen will then show a table with the date, time, and description for each saved point.
Troubleshooting missing restore points
If you can’t see any restore points, the most common reason is that System Protection (a feature that allows Windows to create restore points) is turned off for your system drive.
Managing disk space for restore points
It’s important to manage the disk space that Windows 11 restore points use. You can control how much space they take up and delete older ones to free up your hard drive. This is typically done through the System Protection settings, where you can adjust usage and remove unnecessary restore points.
To delete old restore points and free up space, click the Delete button within the same Configure menu. You can also use the Disk Cleanup utility to remove older shadow copies (which are backups of files used by restore points).
Summary
You can view your Windows 11 restore points using either the Settings app or PowerShell. This helps you roll back your PC if problems arise.
Why does 🪟 Windows 11 not show all my restore points?
Windows 11 might not show all restore points if the disk space allocated for System Protection is full. Once the limit is reached, Windows automatically deletes the oldest snapshots to make room for new ones. Also, ensure the Volume Shadow Copy Service is enabled in your services management console.
Can I view the contents of a restore point without restoring?
Standard Windows tools don’t let you browse the files inside a restore point directly. You can only use them to revert your entire system state. To view specific files, you’d need third-party software designed to mount and explore Volume Shadow Copies.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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