On Windows 10, System Restore is a feature designed to create a snapshot of your device and save its working state as a 'restore point' when system changes are detected. In the event of a critical problem after installing an update, driver, or app, or after modifying system settings incorrectly using the Registry or another tool, you can use a restore point to revert your device settings to an earlier point in time to fix the problem without losing your files.
Although this is a handy troubleshooting tool, there's one caveat: For some odd reason, System Restore comes disabled by default, which means that you must enable it before you or Windows 10 can create restore points.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to set up System Restore as well as the steps to recover your device from problems that may be affecting the normal operation.
How to enable System Restore on Windows 10
System Restore isn't enabled by default, but you can configure the feature with these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Create a restore point, and click the top result to open the System Properties experience.
Under the 'Protection Settings' section, select the main 'System' drive, and click the Configure button.
Select the Turn on system protection option.
Quick tip: Windows 10 can manage the space automatically, but under the 'Disk Space Usage' section, you can also use the slider to specify the maximum amount of storage to reserve for System Restore.
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.
Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will create a restore point automatically when applying a new update or when specific system changes are made.
System Restore isn't a feature that you can enable globally. It's only available for system drives (the one that has the OS installed on it).
How to create a System Restore point on Windows 10
System Restore will create checkpoints automatically when it detects system changes, but if you're about to make significant modifications to your installation, it's recommended to create a restore point manually.
To create a System Restore point manually, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Create a restore point, and click the top result to open the System Properties experience.
Under the 'Protection Settings' section, click the Create button.
Type a descriptive name for the restore point — for example, before modifying Windows Update settings with Registry.
Click the Create button.
Click the Close button.
Click the OK button.
After completing the steps, you'll have a way to undo changes if something goes wrong while installing a new driver or application, or after editing the Registry.
How to recover using System Restore on Windows 10
If you run into issues after making system changes, before spending time troubleshooting the problem, you can undo the changes using a previously created restore point. You can perform this task while you still have access to the desktop, or even if your computer won't boot correctly.
Undoing system changes using desktop experience
In the case that you still have access to the desktop, you can revert system changes using a restore point with these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Create a restore point, and click the top result to open the System Properties experience.
Click the System Restore button.
Click the Next button.
Select the restore point that you want to use on your computer.
Click the Scan for affected programs button to understand the apps that will no longer be available because they're added after the creation of the restore point.
Click the Close button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish button.
Once you complete the steps, System Restore will return your computer to the previous working state.
Undoing system changes using Advanced startup
If the device isn't starting correctly, and you can't access the desktop, you can use Advanced startup to access System Restore.
Boot into Advanced startup
Before you can use System Restore, you need to know the steps to access the Advanced startup environment, which you can do with these steps:
Power on your computer.
As soon as the Windows logo appears on your screen, press the power button to interrupt the boot sequence.
Repeat steps No. 1 and 2 two more times. (Or until the device boots into the recovery experience.)
After completing the steps, you can use the steps outlined below to access System Restore.
Alternatively, if you can't access the recovery environment with these steps, you can start your device with a Windows 10 installation media, and while in the 'Windows Setup' experience, click the Next button, click the Repair your computer button from the bottom-left corner, and then follow the steps below.
Using System Restore
To access System Restore when your computer doesn't start, use these steps:
Select the restore point that you want to use on your computer.
Click the Scan for affected programs button to understand the apps that will no longer be available because they're added after the creation of the restore point.
Click the Close button.
Click the Next button.
Click the Finish button.
Once you complete the steps, the changes causing the problem will be discarded, and then your device should be able to start normally.
Dell System Restore Windows 8
We're focusing this guide on Windows 10, but this feature has been around for a long time, as such you can also refer to these instructions even if you're using an older version, including Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.
Just be aware that while it might look similar, System Restore isn't a replacement for a backup or an option to reset your computer to its default factory settings. If the hard drive on your computer is experiencing physical issues or unrepairable file corruption, you won't be able to recover, and you may even lose your files.
Updated March 14, 2019: We revised this guide to make sure it's current with the latest version of Windows 10.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
I was asked for an administrator password while doing a factory reset on my Dell laptop. But I've forgotten the password. How can I reset Dell laptop to factory settings without administrator password?
Actually, an administrator password is required only while doing a factory reset on laptop based on Windows 7/Vista. For Windows 8/8.1/10, you can do it even without any password. Now here we show how to reset Dell laptop to factory settings without administrator password, whether your laptop is based on Windows 7/Vista or Windows 8/8.1/10.
How to reset Dell laptop to factory settings without administrator password
Tips: A factory reset will return a Dell laptop to its original state when you bought it. So make sure you have backed up all of your important personal files. Plug your laptop into the AC adapter, just to make sure it doesn’t run out of battery while going through the reset process.
Resetting Windows 7/Vista Dell laptop without admin password
Step 1: Remove administrator password before factory reset
1. On another PC, download and install Windows Password Refixer. Launch this software and burn it into a USB drive to create a boot USB for Windows password reset.
2. Connect the boot disk into your Dell laptop. Start/Restart it and set laptop to boot from USB drive.
3. Once laptop boots up, you can reset password to blank.
Step 2: Reset Dell laptop to factory settings without administrator password
1. Start or restart Dell laptop. Once Dell logo appears, instantly and continuously press F8 until you enter Advanced Boot Options. Select Repair your Computer.
2. Select your Keyboard input method, and click on Next.
3. Choose your administrator account. As the password has been removed, just leave the password blank. And click on OK.
4. When you access to System Repair option, choose Dell DataSafe Reduction and Emergency Backup.
5. Choose Other system backup and more options, and click on Next.
6. Choose Restore My Computer and click on Next.
7. Select the right factory image, and then click on Next to start to reset system to factory settings. Restart is required when system restore is completed successfully.
Resetting Windows 10 Dell laptop without administrator password
You can factory reset a Windows 8 computer/laptop within system or without logging into system. Here we suppose that you don't have administrator password and are unable to log into to Windows, and explain how you can reset Dell laptop to factory settings in such a case.
Step 1: On the Sign-in screen, click on the Power button. Press and hold the Shift key while clicking Restart.
Step 2: When your Dell laptop boots up into Advanced option, select Troubleshoot option.
Step 3: Select Reset Your PC. Click on Next on the following menus until your Dell laptop goes ahead and completes a factory reset.
1. In addition, you also can firstly remove Windows 8 password, and then login into system to do a factory reset on your Dell laptop.
2. In the whole process of factory reset on Windows 8 Dell laptop, you can go through without administrator password required.
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Hello, I want to reset my Inspiron 15R 5537 with windows 8.1, back to how it was when I first bought it a little over a year ago. I do not wish to backup my files. I want all my files erased and I will just start fresh. I want it to be restored to the Windows 8 when I first opened my package. What steps do I take? My Inspiron did not come with any disks so I assume the factory image reset includes the Windows 8 that was on the computer when I bought it. Again, what steps do I take to set my PC like when I took it out of the box? I am not the most computer savvy person in the world so detailed instructions would probably be best. My laptop was from Dell by the way and I assume I will be using Dell Backup & Recovery. I just don't know how. I was following this tutorial: http/www.tomsguide.com/faq/id-2345817/create-recovery-disk-dell-laptop-running-windows.html ,..but I don't have the reinstall disk option tile in my Dell Backup & Recovery so how do I make a copy of my factory image and the programs/apps that were pre-installed on my laptop when I took it out of the box? Again, I am not too computer literate so please list in step-by-step format. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you! Mandee