How to Find & Use Restore Points in Windows 11 — GUI, CMD & PowerShell

Windows 11, like its predecessors, includes a built-in system protection feature known as System Restore. This component allows users to create and use Restore Points to roll back system configurations and settings to an earlier state in case something goes wrong—be it due to incompatible drivers, problematic updates, or corrupted files. Knowing how to find and utilize Restore Points in Windows 11 is a valuable skill for maintaining stability and quickly recovering from system issues.

TLDR: Restore Points in Windows 11 let you roll back system changes without affecting your personal files. You can manage and use Restore Points using the Graphical User Interface (GUI), Command Prompt (CMD), and PowerShell. Enable System Protection first, then access restore points through System Properties or use commands to create or list them. It’s a key troubleshooting tool for both beginners and advanced users.

What Is a Restore Point?

A Restore Point is essentially a snapshot of your system settings and Windows registry at a given point in time. These snapshots do not affect user files like documents or emails but are designed to save driver versions, system files, application installations, and Windows updates. If an unexpected problem arises, users can revert their system back to a stable point without the need for reinstalling or resetting Windows.

1. Finding and Using Restore Points via GUI

The easiest way to manage Restore Points in Windows 11 is by using the built-in graphical interface.

How to Enable System Protection

1. Open the Start Menu and search for Create a Restore Point.
2. Select the matching result to open System Properties.
3. Under Protection Settings, choose the drive with Windows installed (usually C:).
4. Click Configure, then select Turn on system protection.
5. Allocate disk space (5-10% is recommended) and click Apply.

Creating a Restore Point

1. In the same System Properties window, click Create.
2. Enter a descriptive name (e.g., “Before Software Install”).
3. Click Create and wait for the process to complete.

Restoring the System

1. Go to System Properties again and click System Restore.
2. Click Next to view available restore points.
3. Select a restore point based on the date or description.
4. Click Next and then Finish to begin the restoration.

2. Accessing Restore Points via Command Prompt (CMD)

Advanced users may prefer using the Command Prompt to interact with system restore functionality. Though Windows doesn’t provide a native tool to restore points via just CMD alone, it allows the initiation of system restore through the rstrui.exe utility and can be used to check the status of system protection services.

How to Open Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Running System Restore Utility

1. In the command window, type: rstrui.exe
2. Press Enter. The System Restore interface will open.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions, similar to the GUI method above.

Check Protection Status

Use the following command to check if system protection is turned on:

vssadmin list shadowstorage

This shows you if volume shadow copy (which restore points use) is enabled, and how much space is allocated.

3. Using PowerShell for Restore Points

Windows PowerShell gives users more control and scripting capabilities over system restore operations. However, PowerShell doesn’t allow executing an actual restore, but you can perform actions like creating restore points and managing protection settings.

How to Open PowerShell

1. Search for PowerShell in the Start Menu.
2. Click Run as administrator.

Create a Restore Point

Use the following command:

Checkpoint-Computer -Description "After Driver Update" -RestorePointType "MODIFY_SETTINGS"

This command uses Checkpoint-Computer to generate a new restore point with a specified name and type. Valid types include APPLICATION_INSTALL, APPLICATION_UNINSTALL, DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL, and MODIFY_SETTINGS.

Check Restore Status

PowerShell doesn’t offer a command to list existing restore points. However, you can use:

Get-ComputerRestorePoint

(Note: This cmdlet may require additional modules or is only available in legacy systems.)

Best Practices and Important Notes

• Enable Restore Points proactively—many systems have it disabled by default.
• Use descriptive names when creating restore points to easily identify them later.
• Keep an eye on disk space allocated for system protection. Older restore points get deleted as new ones are created.
• Restore Points do not replace backups—they are best for minor configuration rollbacks, not full disaster recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Do Restore Points affect my documents or personal files?
  A: No, Restore Points only roll back system settings and registry files. Your personal files remain untouched.
• Q: I don’t see any restore points. Why?
  A: System Protection may be disabled by default. You need to enable it manually for each drive you want to protect.
• Q: Can Restore Points be created automatically?
  A: Yes, Windows creates them automatically during system updates, driver changes, or software installation—if System Protection is enabled.
• Q: How long do Restore Points last?
  A: They remain until the disk space allocated for them runs out, at which point older points are deleted to make room for new ones.
• Q: Can I create a restore point using a script?
  A: Yes, PowerShell scripts using the Checkpoint-Computer cmdlet can automate restore point creation.
• Q: Is it possible to schedule restore point creation?
  A: Yes, using Task Scheduler combined with PowerShell scripts you can create automated restore points at set intervals.

Whether you’re a casual user or an IT professional, knowing how to utilize Restore Points across different interfaces is a handy tool in your Windows 11 troubleshooting arsenal. Try combining GUI comfort with the power of command-line tools to get the best of both worlds.