How To Create A Restore Point In Windows 10

Almost each and every time, before making any changes to the original system files or installing a new application that edits the original system files, we ask our readers to create a restore point so that they can easily revert all changes with a few mouse clicks if something goes wrong.

Creating a manual restore point in Windows has always been easy. Windows 10 is no exception. Simply follow the directions mentioned in one of the given below methods to create a restore point in Windows 10.

Method 1 – create a restore point in Windows 10

Method 2 – create a restore point in Windows 10 using third-party software

Method 1 of 2

Creating a restore point via the Control Panel in Windows 10

Step 1: In the Start menu search box, type Create a restore point and press the Enter key to open the System Properties dialog. Alternatively, you can type Sysdm.cpl in the Start menu search box or Run command box and press Enter key to open the System Properties dialog.

Step 2: Once System Properties is launched, under the System Protection tab, you should see the Create button.

If the Create button is greyed out, under Protection Settings (see picture), select your Windows 10 installed drive, which is usually “C”, click Configure, select the Turn on system protection option in the resulting dialog, allocate at least 2% of drive’s space by moving the slider before clicking Apply button.

Step 3: Under the System Protection tab, click the Create button, enter a name or description for your new restore point, and then click the Create button again to create a restore point in Windows 10.

Once the restore point is created, you will see The Restore point was created successfully message. You can close the System Properties dialog now.

Method 2 of 2

Create a restore point using third-party software in Windows 10

There are many solid third-party tools out there to easily create restore points in Windows 10. Our favorite application is Restore Point Creator (free). Restore Point Creator not only allows you to quickly create restore points but also allows you to easily delete individual restore points to free up disk space.

While Windows 10 also enables you to delete restore points, it clears all restore points at once. This means you can’t delete individual restore points in Windows 10 without using third-party tools.

Restore Point Creator includes options to view the amount of space being used by all restore points. The ability to create restore points at scheduled times is another attraction of this free program.

You can configure the software to automatically create restore points at a specified time of the day or week. There is even an option to automatically delete previously created restore points after “n” number of days.

There are more reasons to love this free Restore Point Creator. You can add this program to the My Computer context menu or configure it to automatically create a restore point in Windows 10 at user logon. A portable version of the software is available as well.

Restore Windows 10 using a restore point

To restore Windows 10 to a previously created restore point, complete the given below directions.

Step 1: Type Created a restore point in the Start menu search box and then hit the Enter key to open the System Properties dialog.

Step 2: Here, under the System Protection tab, click the System Restore button to launch the System Restore wizard.

Step 3: Click the Next button to view all previously created restore points, select a restore point, and then click the Next button.

Tip: If you want to know what programs will be removed, select a restore point and then click Scan for affected programs. As you likely know, a restore point only deletes applications that have been installed after creating the selected restore point.

Your documents, pictures, and other files will be preserved.

Step 4: Finally, click the Finish button. When you get the confirmation dialog, click the Yes button to restart your PC and restore Windows 10 to the selected restore point.

Good luck!