What type of restore points are automatically created when you install certain programs?

A restore point can be created automatically or manually, depending on the actions of the user. Windows creates an initial restore point when the user installs Windows for the first time on a computer, and again when Windows updates are installed. If you encounter problems after an installation or update, the restore point rollback the operating system to a previous functional state.

It's a good idea to create a restore point when your computer is in a stable, functional state. Create one before making significant system changes or installing new or unknown software; if anything goes wrong, you can revert the operating system to the restore point.

To manually create a restore point, follow the steps that correspond to your version of Windows.

• Windows 8 and Windows 10
• Windows Vista and Windows 7
• Windows XP

Creating a restore point in Windows 8 and 10

To create a restore point in Windows 8 and Windows 10, follow the steps below.

1. In the Cortana search bar, type restore, then select Create a restore point. Or, in File Explorer, right-click This PC, then choose Properties, Advanced System Settings, System Protection.
2. Click Create a restore point.
3. In the System Properties window, click the Create button.

1. In the new window enter a description for the restore point in the text field and click the Create button. It's a good idea to describe what you are planning on doing to the computer after the restore point is created. For example, we're creating a restore point called "installed Microsoft Office" with the intentions of installing Office after the restore point is created.

Creating a restore point in Windows Vista and Windows 7

To create a restore point in Windows Vista and Windows 7, follow the steps below.

1. Click the Start orb, find Computer [or My Computer] in the Start menu, right-click with your mouse and select Properties.

1. On the left side, select the System protection option to open the System Properties window. Then, click the Create button.
2. In the new window enter a description for the restore point in the text field and click the Create button. It's a good idea to describe what you are planning on doing to the computer after the restore point is created. For example, we're creating a restore point called "installed Microsoft Office" with the intentions of installing Office after the restore point is created.

After the restore point is created it'll be available to rollback if ever needed.

To rollback Windows to an earlier time, on the System Protection tab, click the System Restore button and follow the prompts to initiate the rollback.

Creating a restore point in Windows XP

To create a restore point in Windows XP, follow the steps below.

1. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then System Restore.
2. In the System Restore window, select the Create a restore point option and click the Next button.

1. Enter a description for the restore point in the Restore point description text field and click the Create button.

After the restore point is created it'll be available to rollback if ever needed.

To rollback Windows to an earlier time, on the System Protection tab, click the System Restore button and follow the prompts to initiate the rollback.

Performing a Windows restore undoes any recent Windows file changes done when installing or uninstalling software. Examples:

If software was installed to the computer after a restore point, performing a Windows restore restores any Windows or system files that changed.

If software was uninstalled after a restore point that removed Windows or system files, those files would be restored.

For example: If you installed the program Discord on the computer and that program modified a Windows system file during the installation, doing a Windows restore would restore the modified Windows system file. However, Discord remains on the computer. This change may cause Discord to no longer work even though it's still installed.

Summary: Find step-by-step instructions to recover the computer using the System Restore feature in Microsoft Windows.See less Find step-by-step instructions to recover the computer using the System Restore feature in Microsoft Windows.

This article may have been automatically translated. If you have any feedback regarding its quality, please let us know using the form at the bottom of this page.

Article Content

Symptoms

System Restore in Microsoft Windows helps make restore points when you install a new app, driver, Windows update, or create a restore point manually. Using System Restore will not affect your personal files, but it will remove apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was made.

System Restore automatically creates a restore point once a day. It continually monitors system activity and creates a restore point when activities such as installing apps, drivers, or Windows Updates occur.

NOTE: System Restore does not affect any of your documents, pictures, or other personal data. Recently installed programs and drivers might be uninstalled.

Supported operating systems

• Windows 11
• Windows 10
• Windows 8 or 8.1
• Windows 7

Cause

System Restore utility in Microsoft Windows can be used as an effective tool to recover the computer to the last-known working condition while troubleshooting software-related issues.

Resolution

How to enable System Restore in Windows

1. Click Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and open System Properties.
3. In the System Properties windows, go to the System Protection tab.
4. If the ‘system’ drive [Figure 1] protection is turned on, System Restore is already enabled on your computer. If the ‘system’ drive protection is off, go to the next step.
   
   Figure 1: System restore section in the system properties window. The image is in English.

5. Click Configure.
6. Select Turn on system protection.
   
   Figure 2: Turn on or disable system protection in Windows. The image is in English.

7. Click Apply.
8. Click OK to confirm.

Microsoft Windows automatically creates a restore point after applying a new Windows update or if specific system changes are made.

WARNING: System Restore is not a data backup solution. System Restore does not back up your apps, documents, pictures, and other personal data.

How to create a System Restore checkpoint in Windows

1. Click Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and open System Properties.
3. In the System Properties windows, go to the System Protection tab.
   
   Figure 3: System restore section in the system properties window. The image is in English.

4. Click Create.
5. Type a descriptive name for the restore point. For example, type 'before installing ABC software'.
   
   Figure 4: Type a description of the restore point. The image is in English.

6. Click Create.
7. Click Close.
   
   Figure 5: Confirmation message that the restore point was created successfully. The image is in English.

8. Click OK.

How to recover the computer using System Restore in Windows

1. Click Start.
2. Search for Create a restore point and open System Properties.
3. In the System Properties windows, go to the System Protection tab.
   
   Figure 6: System restore section in the system properties window. The image is in English.

4. Click System Restore.

   NOTE: The System Restore option is disabled if there are no system restore checkpoints available on the computer.

5. Click Next.
   
   Figure 7: Restore the system files and settings. The image is in English.

6. Select the restore point to revert the changes and fix problems.

   NOTE: Select the restore point when the computer was working without any issues.

    
   
   Figure 8: Select a restore point from the list. The image is in English.

7. Click Scan for affected programs to confirm which apps and drivers will be removed because they were added after creating the restore point.
   
   Figure 9: Scan and identify the list of programs and drivers that will be deleted and restored during the system restore process. The image is in English.

8. Click Close.
9. Click Next to begin restoring the system files and settings.
   
   Figure 10: Select a restore point from the list. The image is in English.

10. Click Finish.

    NOTE: If one or more apps or drivers were affected, reinstall them again after the recovery process [if required].

     
    
    Figure 11: Confirm the system restore point to apply the changes. The image is in English.

Additional Information

Frequently asked questions

Click a section below for more information.

The system restore utility can be accessed through the Windows Recovery Environment [WinRE] in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8. The computer automatically boots into Windows Recovery Environment [WinRE] if the operating system fails to boot two times consecutively.

To manually boot into Windows Recovery Environment [WinRE]:

1. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off the computer.
2. Turn on the computer.
3. At the Windows startup screen, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off the computer.
4. Turn on the computer.
5. At the Windows startup screen, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off the computer.
6. Turn on the computer. The computer boots into Windows Recovery Environment [WinRE].
7. Click Troubleshoot.
8. Click Advanced Options.
9. Click System Restore.

• System Refresh - reinstall Windows and keep your personal files and settings. Refresh also keeps the apps that came with your computer and the apps you installed from the Microsoft Store.

  WARNING: System refresh deletes apps that were not preinstalled on the computer. For example, apps installed by the user from CD, DVD, USB, or downloaded files.

• System Reset - reinstall Windows but delete your files, settings, and apps. Except for the apps that were preinstalled on the computer.

Article Properties

Affected Product

Chromebox, Alienware, Inspiron, Retired Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series, Chromebook, G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS, Retired Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations

Are restore points created automatically?

How are system restore points created?

What types of recent events prompted Windows to automatically create restore points?

What type of software is System Restore?