How to create a restore point and use System Restore on Windows 11

2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Click Start, type Create a restore point and open it. Click Configure and choose Turn on system protection. Then click Create, type a name and click Create. To go back later, click System Restore in the same window, choose the restore point and click Finish.

A restore point is a snapshot of Windows itself: system files, installed programs, drivers and settings. If an update, a driver or a new program causes trouble, System Restore takes Windows back to that point. Your documents and photos are not touched.

These steps are for Windows 11. The pictures are diagrams of the keys to press.

Step by step

  1. Win+ROpen the Run box

    Open System Protection

    Click Start, type Create a restore point and click the result. Or press Windows + R, type systempropertiesprotection.exe and press Enter.

  2. Turn protection on

    On the System Protection tab, select the drive with Windows, usually C:, and click Configure. Choose Turn on system protection, set the slider for the disk space it may use and click Apply. From now on Windows also creates restore points by itself when needed.

  3. Create a restore point

    Click Create, type a short description such as Before the new printer driver, and click Create.

  4. Start System Restore when something goes wrong

    Open the same window and click System Restore. Or press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe and press Enter. Click Next.

  5. Choose the restore point

    Select a point from before the problem began. Tick Show more restore points to see older ones. Scan for affected programs shows which programs and drivers will be removed or brought back.

  6. Click Next, then Finish

    Windows restarts and goes back to that point. Do not switch the PC off while it is working.

Good to know

Programs, drivers and updates installed after the restore point are removed. Personal files stay as they are, so System Restore is no replacement for a backup.

If Windows no longer starts, System Restore is also on the repair screen: Troubleshoot, Advanced options, System Restore. On a PC with device encryption, it asks for your recovery key.

How to reach the repair screen: how to start Windows 11 in safe mode. If nothing helps: how to factory reset a Windows 11 PC.

In short: Create a restore point, Configure, turn on protection, Create. To go back: System Restore, choose the point, Finish.

Sources
  • Microsoft Support: System Protection
  • Microsoft Support: System Restore

Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.