To restore Windows 10 to an earlier date, use System Restore. Press Windows key + R, type rstrui, and press Enter. Click Next, pick a restore point from before your problem started, click Next > Finish, and confirm. Your PC restarts and rolls back system files, drivers, installed programs, and registry settings to that date. Your personal files, like documents and photos, aren’t changed.
System Restore only works if restore points exist, so if you don’t see any, protection may be turned off. Below are the full steps, how to restore when Windows won’t start, how to undo a restore, and what to do if there are no restore points.
What System Restore changes (and what it doesn’t)
| Rolled back | Not changed |
|---|---|
| Windows system files and settings | Documents, photos, music, and other personal files |
| Drivers and Windows updates installed after the restore point | Emails and browser bookmarks |
| Apps installed after the restore point (they’re removed) | Files saved after the restore point |
| Registry settings | Passwords changed recently may revert for local accounts |
How to restore Windows 10 to an earlier date
- Press Windows key + R, type rstrui, and press Enter. Or search Start for Create a restore point, open it, and click System Restore.
- Click Next. If you see Recommended restore, choose Choose a different restore point to see all options.
- Check Show more restore points to see older ones.
- Select a restore point from before the problem started.
- Click Scan for affected programs to see which apps and drivers will be removed or restored. Click Close.
- Click Next, then Finish, and click Yes to confirm.
Your PC restarts, and the restore can take 15 minutes or more. Don’t turn it off. When it finishes, Windows shows a message that the restore completed successfully.
How to restore when Windows won’t start
- Turn the PC on and, when the Windows logo appears, hold the power button to turn it off. Repeat until you see Preparing Automatic Repair (usually on the third try).
- Click Advanced options > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
- Choose your account, enter its password, and follow the same steps as above.
You can also boot into Safe Mode and run rstrui there. See how to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10.
How to undo a System Restore
- Open System Restore again (rstrui).
- Choose Undo System Restore and click Next > Finish.
Restores run from Safe Mode or the recovery environment can’t be undone.
If there are no restore points
System protection may be off. You can’t restore to a date before it was turned on, but you can turn it on now for next time:
- Search Start for Create a restore point and open it.
- Select your C: drive and click Configure.
- Choose Turn on system protection, set Max Usage to about 5 to 10 percent, and click OK.
- Click Create to make a restore point now.
Without restore points, you can still uninstall recent updates (Settings > Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates) or reset Windows while keeping your files (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Reset this PC).
If System Restore fails
- Try a different, older restore point.
- Temporarily turn off third-party antivirus, which can block restores, then try again.
- Run System Restore from Safe Mode or the recovery environment.
- Run
sfc /scannowin an administrator Command Prompt to repair system files, then try again.
Frequently asked questions
Will System Restore delete my files?
No. It doesn’t touch personal files. It’s still a good idea to back up important files before any major repair.
Can System Restore remove a virus?
Not reliably. Malware can survive a restore or hide in restore points. Run a full scan with Microsoft Defender instead.
How far back can I restore?
Only as far as your oldest restore point. Windows deletes older points when it runs out of the space you set aside for them.
Does this work the same in Windows 11?
Yes. The steps and the rstrui command are the same.
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.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.