Windows System Restore: Undo a Bad Update or Driver Without Losing Files
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of Microsoft's support page on System Restore, checked October 29, 2026. System Restore is not a backup of your files; keep real backups too.
What it does
System Restore rolls your PC back to an earlier point. It's useful when trouble starts after a software install, driver update or settings change. Microsoft says it reverts system files, registry settings and installed programs, without affecting your personal files.
It uses restore points, which are snapshots of system settings. Windows creates them automatically at major events, like installs or updates, and you can make one yourself before a big change (System Protection).
Because it leaves your files alone, it won't bring back a deleted document. For that, use backups; see Windows Backup and 3-2-1 backups.
Roll back from within Windows
- In Control Panel, select Recovery, then Open System Restore.
- Under Restore system files and settings, select Next.
- Pick a restore point. Check Show more restore points if you don't see the one you want.
- Optionally, select Scan for affected programs to see which apps change.
- Select Next, then Finish. Windows restarts.
Roll back when Windows won't start
- Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE).
- Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then System Restore.
- Pick a restore point, finish the wizard, and restart.
If your drive is encrypted, you'll need your BitLocker recovery key for this; see disk encryption.
Related: keeping software updated, removing malware, Windows Storage Sense.