Top 7 Ways: Recover Deleted Restore Points in Windows 10/11

Learn how to recover deleted restore points in Windows 10/11 with 7 methods and why system restore points disappeared. Also, recover lost files when restore points are missing with ease.

By @Lori Last Updated December 26, 2024

What Happens if You Delete Restore Points?

“I upgraded to Windows 10 and have encountered several problems. After realizing system restore was off, I turned it on and created restore points. Following a Windows update, my internet connection failed due to missing socket registries. After fixing the network issue, I found all my restore points deleted. How to recover deleted restore points in Windows 10? Thanks!”

System Restore Points in the Windows operating system allow users to restore their PC to a previous state, effectively going back in time. It is often used to fix difficult to fix system problems. However, sometimes you may encounter the missing restore points Windows 10 issue.

Deleting restore points in Windows 10 or 11 can be problematic because it takes away the ability to return your system to a previous state. This can leave you vulnerable to problems caused by updates, software installations, or system changes. Without restore points, you can't undo problematic changes, which can lead to system instability or data loss.

If your system restore points disappeared, worry not, you can follow this guide to recover deleted restore points in Windows 10/11/7 with 7 effective ways

Why Did Your Restore Point Disappear?

System restore points can be deleted for a number of reasons, including:

  • Low disk space: Windows allocates a specific amount of disk space for restore points. When this space is full, older restore points are deleted to make room for new ones.
  • System updates: Major updates sometimes delete existing restore points to avoid compatibility issues.
  • Manual deletion: Users can accidentally delete restore points when managing disk space.
  • System settings change: Changes to system protection settings can cause restore points to be deleted.

Part 1. How to Recover Deleted Restore Points in Windows 10?

Here we will show you 7 methods to recover deleted system restore points in Windows 10/11. You can choose the specific way suitable for you or follow the 7 practical ways below.

Method 1: Check if System Restore is On

System Restore needs to be enabled for your system to create and maintain restore points. Here's how you can check and ensure it's working correctly.

Step 1. Press Win + R, type SystemPropertiesProtection, and press Enter.

Step 2. Ensure that protection is turned on for your system drive (usually C:).

Step 3. If it’s off, turn it on to start creating new restore points.

Method 2: Check Disk Space Usage

Insufficient disk space will prevent the OS from creating restore points. To fix this, you need to free up more space. Follow these steps to recover missing system restore points in Windows 10/11:

Step 1. Press Win + R, type SystemPropertiesProtection, and press Enter. Select a partition or drive from the list and click Configure.

Step 2. Adjust the slider under Disk Space Usage to increase the maximum storage. Move it to the desired level, then click Apply and close the window.

Method 3: Start the Volume Shadow Copy Service

Volume Shadow Copy backs up application data and files, allowing users to back up data even while it's in use. Starting this service will enable you to create a restore point and help recover deleted restore points in Windows 11/10.

Step 1. Open the Run box by pressing Windows + R, type services.msc, and click OK.

Step 2. In the Services window, locate Volume Shadow Copy, right-click on it, and select Start. You can check if the error of restoring points is missing is still occurring after creating a restore point.

Method 4: Run SFC Scan to Fix Missing Restore System Points

Running a System File Checker (SFC) scan can help fix corrupted system files that might be preventing restore points from being created or accessed. Follow the steps below to help your Windows 10 restore point recover deleted files.

Step 1. Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the scan to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.

Method 5: Defrag or Recreate the Paging File

Sometimes, system restore points may be affected by fragmentation or issues with the paging file. Defragging or recreating the paging file can help resolve these issues.

Step 1. Press Win + R, type sysdm.cpl, and press Enter. Navigate to the Advanced tab and click on Settings under Performance.

Step 2. In the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab. Click Change under Virtual Memory.

Step 3. Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives. Select No paging file and click Set.

Step 4. Restart your computer. Follow the same steps and select System managed size, then click Set.

Method 6: Check System Restore Points in Safe Mode

How to recover lost restore points in Windows 10 by entering Safe Mode. Please follow these steps:

Step 1. Restart your system, ensuring all open applications are closed beforehand. Hold down the "Shift" key before your computer reaches the Windows login page.

Step 2. In the window that appears, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart now.

Step 3. From the list of options, choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.Once the command prompt window appears, type rstrui.exe and press Enter.

Step 4. Click Next to view the available restore points. Select a restore point and click Next to restore your system to that point. Confirm the restoration process by clicking Finish to initiate the restoration.

Method 7: Change Triggering Properties of System Restore Feature

Adjust the triggering properties of the System Restore feature can recover deleted system restore points in Windows 10. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Type Task Scheduler in the Windows search bar and press Enter.

Step 2. Expand the Task Scheduler Library and navigate to Microsoft > Windows > SystemRestore.

Step 3. In the top pane, select the SR option. In the options window, choose the Trigger tab. Here, you can modify the existing triggering properties or create a new task.

Step 4. After editing or creating a new task, go to the Conditions tab. Uncheck Start the task only if the computer is on AC power under the Power section. Also, uncheck Start the task only if the computer is idle for option. Create a restore point and check if the restore point missing error persists.

Part 2. How to Recover Lost Files When Restore Points Are Missing?

The above methods can help recover deleted or missing system restore points in Windows 10. However, if you find that your files are missing after restoring the operating system from a restore point, stop using your computer immediately and use powerful data recovery software - MyRecover to recover lost files in Windows 11/10/8/7.

Here are the key features of MyRecover:

  • It is very easy to use, and you can recover permanently deleted files with 3 simple steps.
  • Recover 200+ file formats: Recover deleted Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT, PDF, PPTX, ODP, CSV, WPS files, and more.
  • Scan, filter, and recover dataquickly without losing content and quality. You can also preview them before recovery.
  • Recover deleted files from external hard drive, internal hard drive, flash drive, memory card, and other storage devices with a high success rate.

Now, free download and install MyRecover on your computer as soon as possible after the data loss. The free edition allows you to recover deleted files in Windows 10, up to 500MB for free. You can have a try!

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

Steps to recover lost files after restoring a system restore point in Windows 10/11

Step 1. Select the drive and start scanning

Run MyRecover on Your Windows computer. Then hover the mouse over the drive where your files are lost or deleted, and click Scan.

Step 2. Scan the drive and preview the files

MyRecover will scan your drive automatically and thoroughly to locate all the lost and deleted files on the drive. Try to use the Filter feature to locate your wanted files quickly.

★Tip: You can preview or filter data based on Files Type, Size, Date, etc.

  • Type: Select the file type (Documents, Images, Videos, Audios, Mails, Webpages, Compressed files, etc.)
  • Date modified: Set the date (today, yesterday, last 7/30 days, etc.)
  • Size: Filter the file size (<128KB, 128KB~1MB, 1MB~ 512MB, 512MB above, etc.)

Step 3. Recover files from the drive

Choose the files you want to recover and click Recover X Files. Please select a new location you wish to restore the files.

Tips

  • If you want to recover more than 500MB of files, please upgrade to MyRecover Pro or Technician to enjoy unlimited file recovery. The Technician version supports unlimited use within the same company and provides paid technical services to customers.
  • In addition, MyRecover applies to all data loss scenarios, such as lost or deleted partitions, formatted disks, computer crashed recovery, virus infection, etc.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted restore points doesn't have to be difficult. By following the 7 practical methods outlined in this guide, you can successfully recover deleted restore points in Windows 10/11 and maintain system stability.

Additionally, for recovering lost important data, MyRecover is an excellent choice, offering a high success rate for recovering lost or deleted files. Try it for free now! Please remember to create restore points regularly and automate the process to protect your system from unexpected issues.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
Secure Download

FAQs About System Restore Points

1. How to find restore points in Windows 10?

To find restore points in Windows 10, type "System Restore" in the search bar, select "Create a restore point," then click "System Restore" in the System Properties window. You'll see a list of available restore points.

2. How to create a permanent restore point in Windows 10?

To create a permanent restore point in Windows 10, type "Create a restore point" in the search bar, select the system drive, and click "Create." Name the restore point and click "Create" again to save it.

3. Does Windows 10 automatically save restore points?

Yes, Windows 10 automatically saves restore points before significant system events like updates, driver installations, or application installations, provided System Restore is enabled.

4. How to recover lost data on hard drive using restore point?

Restore points do not recover individual lost files but can revert your system to a previous state. For file recovery, use a dedicated data recovery tool to recover deleted files with System Restore.

5. Where are Windows 10 restore points stored?

Windows 10 restore points are stored on the system drive in the "System Volume Information" folder, which is protected and not directly accessible to users.

6. How to recover lost System Restore Points Windows 7?

To recover lost System Restore Points in Windows 7, boot into Safe Mode, open Command Prompt, type "rstrui.exe," and press Enter. Follow the prompts to restore your system using available restore points.