The newly added Point-in-time restore feature in Windows 11 lets users restore Windows 11 to an earlier point-in-time with the help of previously created point-in-time restore points.
When you restore a Windows 11 PC to a previously created point-in-time restore point, you lose all changes, newly added files, passwords, keys, and apps made after the restore point was created. So, use this feature only if you know what you are doing. To restore without losing data, refer to our how to restore Windows 11 to a previous date without losing data guide which uses the classic System Restore feature.
Steps to perform point-in-time restore on a Windows 11 PC
Step 0: If the drive encryption is turned on for Windows 11, please have the recovery key handy, as you will need the recovery key to begin the point-in-time restore process. Refer to our how to view drive encryption recovery key in Windows 11 guide for directions.
Without the drive encryption recovery key, you cannot restore Windows 11 using the point-in-time restore feature.
Step 1: Close all running apps after saving your work, as you need to restart your PC.
Step 2: Open the Settings app. On the left page, click System. On the right side, click Recovery.
Step 3: On the Recovery page, in the Recovery options section, click the Restart now button present next to the Advanced startup option to reboot your Windows 11 PC to Advanced Startup.
Step 4: When you see the Advanced Startup (Choose an option) on the screen, click Troubleshoot.
Step 5: On the Troubleshoot screen, click the Point-in-time restore option. If the Point-in-time restore option is missing, it’s likely because the feature has been turned off on your PC. Refer to our how to enable the Point-in-time restore on Windows 11 PC guide for directions.
Step 6: If the drive encryption is turned on, you will be prompted to type the drive encryption key. Please refer to our how to get the drive encryption recovery key guide for directions.
Type the recovery key and then click the Continue button.
Step 7: Next, you will see available point-in-time restore points. Decide which one you would like to restore your Windows 11 PC to, and then click on it.
As you can see in the picture, the screen shows the date and time the restore point was created, which should help you select it.
Step 8: You will see the following screen where you can read what you will lose when you restore your PC before clicking the Continue button.
Once again, remember that all changes made to your PC after the selected point-in-time restore point will be lost and cannot be restored. If you have added new files, please back them up.
Step 9: Finally, click the Restore button to begin restoring your Windows 11 installation to the selected point-in-time restore point.
Step 10: Windows 11 might take a few minutes to complete the restore process. Once completed, your PC will restart and show the lock screen.
Sign in to your Windows 11 account to begin using your PC again.
Can I restore Windows 11 to a week or a month ago using the point-in-time restore feature?
No, the point-in-time restore feature automatically deletes restore points older than 72 hours. So, you can restore Windows 11 to a time not older than 72 hours.
Can I restore Windows 11 without the drive encryption key?
If the drive encryption is turned on for the Windows 11 drive, the point-in-time restore feature requires your encryption recovery key to perform a restore. And if the device encryption is turned off, you will not be prompted to enter the recovery key.
If you would like, refer to our how to turn off drive encryption in Windows 11 guide for directions.
Can we use the restore points created by the classic System Restore feature for the point-in-time restore feature?
No, you cannot use System Restore and Point-in-time restore points interchangeably, although both features capture restore points using the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).
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