System Restore is one of the handy but lesser-known features of the Windows operating system. The feature lets you restore the Windows 11 installation to a previous date without affecting your files.
When should the system restore feature be used in Windows 11?
The System Restore feature is helpful when your Windows 11 PC is not working correctly. With the help of the System Restore feature, you can restore Windows 11 to a date when it was functioning perfectly.
The best part about the System Restore feature is that it does not affect your data. That is, when you restore Windows 11 to a previous date, your documents, photos, and other personal files will not be deleted. Only apps and drivers installed after the system restore point date will be removed.
With default installation settings, Windows 11 automatically creates a system restore point before installing Windows updates. So, the System Restore points are automatically created once in a while. Additionally, you can also create system restore points manually whenever you want.
Steps to restore Windows 11 installation to a previous date without losing your data
Follow the directions given below to restore Windows 11 to a previous date.
NOTE 1: You cannot restore Windows 11 to a previous date if the System Restore feature is turned off or no restore point is available.
NOTE 2: Your files will not be touched during the restore process. In short, your personal files will not be deleted.
NOTE 3: Programs installed after creating a system restore point will be removed. Likewise, if a program or device driver was updated after creating the selected restore point, it will be restored to the previous version. It should not be a problem, as you can update programs and drivers again.
IMPORTANT: We suggest turning off the antivirus program temporarily if you are running a third-party antivirus program, as they are known to cause issues during the system restore process.
Step 1: Save your work and close all running apps.
Step 2: Type sysdm.cpl in the Start menu or taskbar search and then press the Enter key to open the System Properties dialog.
Step 3: Click the System Protection tab. Under this tab, click the System Restore button to open the System Restore wizard.
Step 4: Once the System Restore wizard is open, click the Next button.
Step 5: The wizard should now display available restore points and information about their creation dates. By default, the wizard shows only a few restore points. To view all restore points, select the Show more restore points option.
As you can see in the picture, the wizard also shows the program that created a restore point. Several desktop program installers also create a restore point before installing programs.
Select a restore point that you want to use to restore your Windows 11 installation to a previous date. To view all programs and drivers installed after a restored point, select a restore point and then click the Scan for affected programs button.
So, select a restore point and then click the Next button.
Step 6: Finally, click the Finish button.
Step 7: Once you click the Finish button, you get the following warning dialog. Click the Yes button.
Your PC will automatically be restarted to restore Windows files and settings. Windows might take tens of minutes to complete the restore process depending on the number of files need to be restored.
Your PC will be restarted during the process. Once again, if you have not saved your work, please save your work and close programs before clicking the Finish button. The following message will appear on the screen when the system restore is in progress.
Step 8: Once the system restore job is completed, your PC will restart again and take you to the lock screen. Sign in to see the following “System Restore completed successfully” message. That’s it! You may start using your Windows 11 PC again.
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