Select Start, type Create a restore point and open it, then select Create under the System Protection tab, type a description and select Create. System Protection isn't enabled by default, so turn it on first if it's off.
Before: what you're saving, and why bother
Think of a restore point as a snapshot of your setup, not of your stuff. Microsoft's System Protection page describes restore points as snapshots of system files, installed applications, the Windows Registry and system settings at a specific point in time. They let you take Windows back to an earlier stable state without touching your personal data. These steps come from Microsoft's Windows 11 and Windows 10 page, as of Nov 2026.
That last part cuts both ways. Your documents are safe from the roll-back, but a restore point won't rescue a lost file either, because personal files aren't what System Restore rolls back. Microsoft's own recovery page tells you to back up your important files separately, and points you to Windows Backup under Settings > Accounts > Windows Backup for your apps and settings.
When should you make one? Microsoft doesn't give a list of moments. What it does say is that System Protection isn't enabled by default, that it recommends enabling it, and that once it's on, Windows creates restore points automatically when needed. You can add your own at any time. The page sets no schedule and doesn't say how big a restore point is. My take: switch it on today, while your PC's behaving, because it can't help with a problem that happened before it existed.
First, switch System Protection on
Skip this if it's already on. Otherwise:
- Select Start, type Create a restore point in the search box, and select Create a restore point from the results.
- In the System Properties dialog box, under the System Protection tab, select Configure.
- Select Turn on system protection.
- Use the slider to set the maximum amount of disk space System Protection can use.
- Select Apply.
Microsoft doesn't suggest a figure for that slider, so I won't make one up. It's your call, based on how much room you've got.
During: make the restore point
- Select Start, type Create a restore point in the search box, and select Create a restore point from the results.
- In the System Properties dialog box, under the System Protection tab, select Create.
- Type a description for the restore point and select Create.
That's the whole job. Make the description something you'd recognise later. Say you're about to change a setting you don't fully trust: name the point after that change, so you aren't guessing at a vague label on a bad day.
After: going back to one
To take Windows back to a restore point, Microsoft says to use System Restore. That's all the System Protection page gives you on it, and it doesn't list the clicks. System Restore rolls back system files and settings, and your personal files aren't affected. System changes made after the restore point are undone, and that may affect recently installed apps, drivers, updates or settings. So expect to redo some recent changes.
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It helps to know where this sits among Microsoft's other fixes. Its Recovery options page says to start with the least disruptive option and try the next only if needed, and it's clear that some options can result in data loss. Here's what each one does to your stuff, going by Microsoft's list.
| Recovery option | Your personal files | Apps and settings |
|---|---|---|
| System Restore | Kept | Changes after the restore point are undone |
| Point-in-time restore | Rolled back to that point | Rolled back to that point |
| Uninstall an update | Kept | Kept, apart from what the update changed |
| Reinstall using Windows Update | Kept | Kept |
| Reset this PC | You choose keep or remove | Removed |
| Cloud rebuild | Removed | Removed |
| Reinstall using a recovery drive | Removed | Removed |
Files stored in OneDrive or another cloud service aren't affected by point-in-time restore or Cloud rebuild, Microsoft says. Reset is the disruptive end of the scale, and our guide to resetting Windows 11 covers that decision. If an update's the likely culprit, Microsoft says uninstalling it might fix the issue, and there's more background in our Windows 11 update guide. For the last-resort route, Microsoft describes downloading Windows on another working PC and creating a bootable USB drive; see how to make a Windows 11 bootable USB. It also suggests creating a recovery drive while your PC's working, and if BitLocker is enabled, knowing your recovery key, because you'll need it for most options from the Windows Recovery Environment.
Quick answers
Is a restore point the same as point-in-time restore?
No. Microsoft ties the restore points you make to System Restore, which rolls back system files and settings only. Point-in-time restore rolls back everything, personal files included, to an automatic snapshot. It needs Windows 11, version 24H2 or later, and keeps restore points for up to 3 days.
Which should I try first if both are available?
Microsoft says to try point-in-time restore first as it's most comprehensive. System Restore is for when point-in-time restore isn't available, or you need to go back further than 3 days.
Will System Restore delete my personal files?
No. Microsoft says your personal files are kept, but system changes made after the restore point are undone, which may affect recently installed apps, drivers, updates or settings.
Can I use recovery options if my PC won't start?
Yes. Microsoft lists options you can reach from the Windows Recovery Environment, including System Restore, point-in-time restore and Reset this PC. If BitLocker is enabled, you'll need your recovery key for most of them.
