Windows has had a feature for creating restore points for a long time. However, this option is not always enabled by default.
If you’re a long-time Windows user, you’ve probably heard of the concept of a restore point. This function allows you to save an “image” of your computer, in a specific state, at a given moment.
Thanks to this function, it is possible in the event of a malfunction to have your PC restored. Understand by this that your machine will jump into the past to be reset to the exact state it was in when the restore point was created. This will allow you to recover your computer to the last known working state.
Unfortunately, creating a restore point is not automatic. If you have a recent machine, or if you recently installed Windows 11 for example, there is a good chance that System Protection, the function that allows you to create restore points, is not active by default. Here’s how to set it up.
1. Open System Properties
Use the keyboard shortcut Windows + R to open the run window, then in the field provided for this purpose type systempropertiesprotection and validate by pressing the Enter key on the keyboard or by clicking on OK.
2. Configure System Protection
The System Properties window should automatically open to the System Protection tab. Click the Configure button at the bottom of the window to initiate the System Protection configuration.
In the System protection for local disk (C:) window that appears, check the Enable system protection option and click Apply and then OK.
3. Create a restore point
Back in System Properties, the Create button displayed at the bottom of the window should no longer be grayed out. Click on it to start creating a restore point.
In the Create a restore point window that opens, enter a name for your restore point and click Create.
The system then automatically launches the Creation of a restore point, and will notify you in a pop-up when the process is complete.
4. Restore your PC from a restore point
If your machine has a problem, becomes unstable or malfunctions after applying an update, installing a driver or any other software installation, you can now roll back very easily.
To Restore System, open System Properties, as seen in step one, then click System Restore.
The System Restore wizard should then open, click Next.
In the next window, select the restore point to which you want to restore your machine. If there are several, preferably select the most recent date for which your machine was fully functional, then click Next.
To finish, click the Finish button. The restore process should then start.
To complete the restore, your computer should restart. You should then find your computer in the same state it was in when the restore point was created.