One of the most practical features of the Microsoft operating system is the ability to restore it to a previous time. This allows us to correct errors and undo steps we have taken in the wrong direction. In this post we are going to see how to restore Windows 11 to a previous restore point, something that at some point in the future we will need to do.
It could be said that this functionality consists broadly of recovering a Backup which we saved to a point where the system was stable and working smoothly. A "refuge" to return to when we have problems and, at the same time, help to detect and correct them.
The best thing is that we do not need to look for help from external software (which exists), but we can simply use the tools that Microsoft offers us, specifically the function System Restore. Let's see how this effective works system protection tool.
How the Windows 11 restore point works
Although restore points can be created manually, the most interesting thing for the user is that It is the system itself that is responsible for doing it automatically from time to time. That is, we can ignore that task and trust Windows 11.
In this way, the operating system "captures" the state of essential files and the Windows registry at a given time. It's like I took a photo of them and kept it in a locked drawer. Thus Different restore points are created to return to if necessary. And with the certainty that everything that had been done up to that point is correct: drivers, registry keys or installed applications...
Obviously, for a restore point to be valid it is necessary that the image we have taken corresponds to a state of the system in which no operating errors have been recorded.
How to create a restore point in Windows 11
The possibility of creating a system restore point has existed since Windows 7, although it was perfected starting with Windows 10. To use it, we have to do the following:
- First of all, let's go to the windows search bar and we write “restore”, “restore points” or even “system restore”.*
- The icon will appear in the results. "Create a restore point", on which we click.
- Below is the box "System properties" with the tab "System protection" already activated.
- There we mark the active Windows 11 partition.
- Then we click on the button Setup, and then select "Activate protection" and adjust the maximum space of the partition that we will dedicate to this task by 10%.
- Finally, in the box "Create a restore point" We click on "Accept".
By following these simple steps we can create as many restore points in Windows 11 as we need to perhaps use them in the future, if necessary.
(*) Another way is to go to the Control Panel and choose the option "Create a restore point" there.
How to go back to a previous restore point in Windows 11
There will come a time when we will have problems with the operation of our PC, perhaps because of an application that we have recently installed or because we have made certain changes to the system incorrectly. This is when we will understand the true usefulness of restore points.
To turn back time and return to that point in the past where everything worked well, the steps to follow they are very simple:
- First, in the Windows search bar we write "Recovery".
- Then we click on the icon and, in the next window, we choose the option "Open restore Sistem".
- The next screen It will show us all the available recovery points (those that we have created manually and those that the system itself has generated automatically). We just have to choose the one that best suits us.
Delete restore points in Windows 11
Although restore points are very useful, sometimes it is advisable to only have a few to avoid confusion. Therefore, in addition to learning how to create them, It is also important to know how to remove them. In this sense, we have two options:
Delete all restore points
It is a drastic solution, and perhaps not the most convenient, since we are left without the possibility of using this valuable resource. In any case, if we decide to eliminate all of you, this is how to proceed:
- We go back to the search box where we write "restoration". Then we select "Create a restore point."
- In the System Properties window, click on the button "Set up".
- Now we click on the button "Remove" from the System Protection window.
- To finish, we click on "Continue" with which the operation will be confirmed, eliminating all the restoration points created.
Delete all restore points (except the most recent one)
This does seem like a more sensible solution, since it allows us to save a possibility that we may need at some point. To carry out this operation we do the following:
- To begin, we click on Start and select the option "All the programs".
- There we choose first "Accessories" & AFTER "System tools".
- Then we click on "Disk Cleanup" and we select the drive on which we want to clean all the restore points, except the most recent one.
- Once this is done, we open the tab "More options".
- In the new box that opens we go to the tab “System Restore and Shadow Copies” where we click on "Clean up".
- The following message will be displayed: «Are you sure you want to delete all restore points except the most recent one? We click on "Remove" and then in «To accept".
- In the last step, another message will appear: "Are you sure you want to perform these actions?" You just have to click on "Yes" to complete the action.
Conclusion
The usefulness of the Windows 11 feature and the restore point is beyond discussion. In addition, as we have seen in this post, you can create numerous points along a timeline to which you can resort if necessary.
However, you should know that in certain cases, When, for example, we face critical failures in the system, it is very likely that this solution will not help us much.. For these situations there are other methods such as using the specific repair commands or proceed to restore factory settings.