Note: This article is specific to Windows 10. See the information on System Restore in the following Article for help with Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Troubleshooting in Safe Mode

System restore rolls your system files back to a restore point from a previous date. You can make restore points manually, but Windows will also make them automatically. This will undo system settings, changes from Windows Update, and changes from newly installed software (including removing software installed since that restore point).

Your data, documents, and most programs won't be changed. This makes system restore a great place to start when you're having a problem and don't know how to fix it.

System restore reverts drivers installed since the restore point was created. Programs and apps installed since the restore point was created will also need to be reinstalled.

To view other recovery options in Windows 10, read this article:

Recovery Options Available in Windows 10

To perform a system restore, follow these steps.

If you can successfully load Windows:

• Open the Start Menu and select Settings.
• Select Update & security and then Recovery.
• Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
• After the computer restarts to a screen with various options, select Troubleshoot.
• Select Advanced options and then System Restore.
• When you reach an account selection screen, select an account.
• Enter your password and select Continue.
• Follow the prompts, choosing your desired restore point. (You'll most likely want to use the most recent restore point from before the problem started).

If you're unable to load Windows but can view the sign-in screen:

• Select the power icon on the sign-in screen.
• Hold the SHIFT key and select Restart.
• After the computer restarts to a screen with various options, select Troubleshoot
• Select Advanced options and then System Restore.
• When you reach an account selection screen, select an account.
• Enter your password and select Continue.
• Follow the prompts, choosing your desired restore point. (You'll most likely want to use the most recent restore point from before the problem started).