System restore not working in my Win11

mck · Feb 5, 2025

My DIY PC is running Win11, 24H2, OS Build 26100.2894 on an Intel Core Ultra 7, 265K CPU. Two system restores failed. Does system restore work in Windows 11?

The first system restore was auto created by Win11 when it did an update.
The second system restore was manually created by me before installing the driver for my Epson V37 scanner.

Both restores ended in a black screen with a spinning circle with messages saying what was being restored. Like "Restoring the registry", etc. Both hung for a long time with the spinning circle and finally ended with a restart. Win11 was rebooted and said each time that the restore was not successful so no changes were made to the system.

System restore used to work on my previous Win10 system. Does it not work in Win11, 24H2?

FreeBooter · Feb 5, 2025

Well i never rely on System Protection tool as it has been like that for many generations of Windows operating systems it will work for some time sometimes it will not so having a extra backup like image backup is important.

allan · Feb 6, 2025

System Restore is great - until it isn't. It seems to work until you really need it. Instead of System Restore, you should be creating disc images on a regular basis (preferably using an app such as Macrium Reflect).

thecaretaker · Feb 6, 2025

I'd use Macrium Reflect. There is still a free version you can try that works Macrium Free Version

As you have a bootable working system, it should work perfectly. Use the option 'Make an image of the partitions required to backup and restore Windows'. Don't forget to create a bootable USB rescue media and boot to that to restore Windows first.

garioch7 · Feb 6, 2025

@mck ,

Did you try to do the restoration of the System Restore Points in SAFE MODE? That is the recommended way to do restores to avoid third party software, particularly anti-virus programs, from interfering with a successful restoration. I have always had great success with that.

As has been recommended by my colleagues here, I also do full system images weekly, alternating between Macrium and Easeus. I only use Restore Points for a quick restore if I installed a program that I quickly decide I am not going to keep and want to get rid of, so I do create weekly system restore points, as well creating them before I am going to install a new program.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

Win711 · Feb 6, 2025

garioch7 said:
Did you try to do the restoration of the System Restore Points in SAFE MODE? That is the recommended way to do restores to avoid third party software, particularly anti-virus programs, from interfering with a successful restoration. I have always had great success with that.

I'm glad you mentioned that or I'd never thought of it, even though I see "controlled folder access" blocking apps all the time. I could see it blocking restore.

garioch7 said:
I only use Restore Points for a quick restore if I installed a program that I quickly decide I am not going to keep and want to get rid of

Do you uninstall the software and then restore, or does restore remove the software?

garioch7 · Feb 6, 2025

@Win711,

Initiating a system restore point restoration returns the computer to the state it was in (not including personal data) at the time the Restore Point was created. There is no need to uninstall the unwanted program. The restoration zaps it and all of its files and registry entries.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

Ghot · Feb 6, 2025

andrew129260 · Feb 6, 2025

Ghot said:
View attachment 124465

yeah system restore is nice when it works. But system images are better.

garioch7 said:
Did you try to do the restoration of the System Restore Points in SAFE MODE?

That's an excellent tip. I never thought to try that. I figured it wouldn't be able to run in safe mode.

I miss the restore previous versions functionality of files through restore points. Wish I could get that to work again.

mck · Feb 6, 2025

FreeBooter, allan, thecaretaker,

Thanks for your responses. Yes, I do image backups but if I want to try installing a software, then I used to set a system restore point in Win10 and if the software wasn't wanted, then I used to do a system restore to get back to where I was before. Easy Peasy.

Since it didn't work in Win11 twice, I will do an image backup first the next time I try it.

FreeBooter · Feb 6, 2025

You are very welcome!

mck · Feb 6, 2025

garioch7 said:
@mck ,

Did you try to do the restoration of the System Restore Points in SAFE MODE? That is the recommended way to do restores to avoid third party software, particularly anti-virus programs, from interfering with a successful restoration. I have always had great success with that.

As has been recommended by my colleagues here, I also do full system images weekly, alternating between Macrium and Easeus. I only use Restore Points for a quick restore if I installed a program that I quickly decide I am not going to keep and want to get rid of, so I do create weekly system restore points, as well creating them before I am going to install a new program.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

Hi garioch7,

Now that is an excellent idea. I'll try the system restore in safe mode on my next try. Makes total sense.

Like you, I only create a restore point before I install a program, with the option to do a system restore if the program does not work out.

Thanks for your excellent suggestion!

andrew129260 · Feb 7, 2025

mck said:
Now that is an excellent idea. I'll try the system restore in safe mode on my next try. Makes total sense.

let us know how that goes

mck · Feb 7, 2025

andrew129260 said:
let us know how that goes

I will when I'm going to install a program that I'm not sure about.

pseymour · Feb 7, 2025

mck said:
Yes, I do image backups but if I want to try installing a software, then I used to set a system restore point in Win10 and if the software wasn't wanted, then I used to do a system restore to get back to where I was before. Easy Peasy.

If you’re on a Pro or higher SKU, the Windows Sandbox is made for this.

andrew129260 · Feb 7, 2025

pseymour said:
If you’re on a Pro or higher SKU, the Windows Sandbox is made for this.

yeah windows sandbox is really nice. I use it a lot.

SIW2 · Feb 7, 2025

why not boot into winre to do system restore. reagentc -boottore

mck · Feb 7, 2025

pseymour said:
If you’re on a Pro or higher SKU, the Windows Sandbox is made for this.

My PC is running Windows Home. I see that there's a Sandbox substitute for Win Home called Sandboxie and Sandboxie Plus. Anyone here running either one?

mck · Feb 7, 2025

SIW2 said:
why not boot into winre to do system restore. reagentc -boottore

Did not know that is an option. So will booting into winre show the restore points and then allow doing the system restore with the same result as if the system restore was done in normal Win11? And no idea what reagentc and -boottore will do.

SIW2 · Feb 7, 2025

at cmd prompt
reagentc -boottore
restart and it boots into winre.wim
do the system restore from there

System restore not working in my Win11

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