A restore point saves a snapshot of Windows system files, settings and installed programs, so you can roll back after a bad driver or update. It does not back up your personal files. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027.
Quick Answer
Search Start for Create a restore point, open System Protection, make sure protection is On for drive C, then click Create, name it and click Create again.
How to Create a Restore Point in Windows 10
- Click Start and type Create a restore point, then open it.
- On the System Protection tab, check that Protection is On for Local Disk (C:).
- If it is off, select the drive, click Configure, choose Turn on system protection, set disk usage (5 to 10 percent is typical) and click OK.
- Click Create.
- Type a name, such as Before driver update, and click Create.
- Wait for the message The restore point was created successfully.
Restore Points vs Backups
| Feature | Restore point |
|---|---|
| Restores system files and settings | Yes |
| Restores personal files | No |
| Removes apps installed later | Yes |
| Protects against drive failure | No |
See also removing a leftover Windows service.
Create a Restore Point With PowerShell
If you make restore points before installing drivers or software, PowerShell is quicker. Open Windows PowerShell as administrator and run:
Checkpoint-Computer -Description "Before driver update" -RestorePointType MODIFY_SETTINGS
System protection must already be on for drive C. By default, Windows only allows this command to create one restore point every 24 hours; if a recent one exists, it shows a warning and doesn’t create another, so use the System Protection dialog when you need an extra one.
Roll Back to a Restore Point
- Open Create a restore point again and click System Restore.
- Click Next, choose a restore point (tick Show more restore points to see older ones) and click Scan for affected programs to see which apps will be removed or restored.
- Click Next, then Finish. The PC restarts and rolls back, which can take 15 minutes or more.
If Windows won’t start, open System Restore from the recovery environment: on the sign-in screen hold Shift and select Restart, then choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, System Restore. For more ways in, see how to get to System Restore in Windows 10.
Manage Restore Point Storage
Restore points share the space you allow under System Protection. When it fills up, Windows deletes the oldest ones automatically. To free space now, open System Protection, select drive C, click Configure and use Delete to remove all restore points for that drive, then create a fresh one straight away so you still have a safety net.
Troubleshooting
- Create is greyed out: turn on system protection first.
- Old restore points missing: Windows deletes the oldest ones when space runs low. Increase disk usage in Configure.
- Restore fails: try it from Advanced startup, or in Safe Mode.
- Related: using System Restore in Windows 10 and undoing a Windows update.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take?
Usually under a minute.
Does Windows make restore points automatically?
Often, before updates and some installs, when protection is on.
How do I use one?
Open the same window and click System Restore.
Is it the same on Windows 11?
Yes. The steps are almost identical.
Summary
- Open Create a restore point.
- Turn on protection for C.
- Click Create.
- Name it.
- Confirm it was created.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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