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How to do a System Restore on Windows 10
Changes made to your Windows 10 desktop or laptop don’t always work as planned. For instance, you may install new drivers for your storage device or discrete graphics chip, but the drivers are broken at launch and cause chaos across the system. Lucky for you, Windows 10 has a great tool to return your PC to its previous working state.
In this guide we’ll show you how to do a System Restore on Windows 10 step-by-step.
A good rule of thumb is to create a restore point before you install anything tied to the operating system, such as third-party drivers. You may also want to consider creating a restore point before installing programs just in case they cause issues with Windows 10 and prevent your PC from loading properly.
Note that Windows 10 typically creates its own restore point before installing patches, security fixes, and feature updates released by Microsoft. For everything else, here is how to do a System Restore on Windows 10:
How to enable System Restore on Windows 10
1. Type Create a restore point in Cortana’s search field on the taskbar.
2. Select the Create a restore point (Control Panel) result.
4. Click on the Configure button.
6. Click the Apply button.
7. Click the OK button.
8. Follow the same steps if you want to protect a second drive.
How to create a restore point on Windows 10
1. Type Create a restore point in Cortana’s search field on the taskbar.
2. Select the Create a restore point (Control Panel) result.
4. Click the Create button listed under Protection Settings.
6. Click the Create button.
7. After Windows 10 creates the restore point, click the Close button.
8. Click the OK button.
How to use a restore point on Windows 10
1. Type Create a restore point in Cortana’s search field on the taskbar.
2. Select the Create a restore point (Control Panel) result.
6. Click the Scan for affected programs button to see what programs, apps, and drivers will be affected by the change.
7. Click the Close button.
8. Click the Next button.
9. Click the Finish button.
How to access System Restore on Windows 10 when your PC won’t start
After three failed loading attempts, Windows 10 will enter an Automatic Repair mode. If not, follow these instructions:
1. Power on your Windows 10 device.
2. When the Windows logo appears, press the power button to interrupt the loading process.
3. If the system doesn’t enter recovery mode, repeat these steps until it does.
4. Once the Automatic Repair window appears, select Advanced Options.
5. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.
6. On the Troubleshoot screen, select Advanced options.
7. On the Advanced Options screen, select System Restore.
8. Select your account.
9. Enter your password.
12. Click the Scan for affected programs button to see what programs, apps, and drivers will be affected by the change.
13. Click the Close button.
14. Click the Next button.
15. Click the Finish button.
That’s how to do a System Restore on Windows 10. Here are additional guides for using Windows 10: