How to Undo System Restore in Windows 7/8/10/11/XP

Can You Undo System Restore in Windows 7/8/10/11/XP?

System Restore can be a lifesaver when your Windows 7 PC is acting up. But what if the restore point you selected didn't fix the issue, or worse, made things even more problematic? How to undo System Restore in Windows 7?

Don't worry, you can undo a System Restore in Windows 7/8/10/11/XP. This guide will walk you through different methods to undo a System Restore, ensuring your system is back to normal. Whether you’re tech-savvy or a beginner, these steps will help you navigate the process smoothly. You can also learn how to recover files after System Restore. Let’s read!

What is System Restore in Windows 7?

System Restore is a built-in feature of the Windows operating system that allows you to restore the state of your computer (including system files, installed applications, Windows registry, and system settings) to a previous point in time.

This feature is designed to help recover from system failures or other problems. However, sometimes a System Restore can cause unexpected problems, so the action must be undone.

Why You Might Need to Undo a System Restore?

System Restores are designed to fix problems, but they don't always work as planned. Maybe the restore point became corrupted, or the restore didn't fix the problem. Maybe it undid some important updates or changes that you really needed. Here are a few scenarios where you might need to undo a System Restore:

• The System Restore didn't fix the problem.
• Your PC is experiencing new problems after the restore.
• Important files or settings were lost or restored.
• An application or driver was deleted or restored to an older version.

⚠ Note:

Before undoing a System Restore, data backup is very necessary.

If you perform a System Restore in safe mode, you cannot cancel a System Restore.

If you perform a System Restore from the System Recovery Options, you cannot cancel a System Restore.

Part 1. Recover Lost Data and Back Up Files in Advance

Performing a System Restore usually does not result in data loss in the %UserProfile% folder. It mainly removes applications, drivers, and updates when restoring the Windows system to a previous state. However, sometimes the restore process may get stuck or fail for unknown reasons, which may result in file loss. How do you recover these lost files?

If you have completed the restore process, how can you avoid unnecessary data loss when undoing a System Restore? Here are some tips to protect your data:

1. Recover Lost Data with MyRecover

If you find that your files are missing after restoring the operating system from a restore point, stop using your computer immediately and use MyRecover to help recover the lost files.

MyRecover is a highly professional data recovery software that can easily recover all types of lost/deleted files. With it, you can recover lost files after the System Restore in Windows 11/10/8/7/XP and Server.

Here are the main features of MyRecover:

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

Steps to recover lost files after the System Restore

Step 1. Download MyRecover on Windows, install, and run it. Then hover the mouse over the drive where your files are lost or deleted, and click Scan.

Step 2. MyRecover will scan your drive automatically and thoroughly to locate all the found data on the drive.

★Tip: You can preview or filter data depending 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. You will see a list of data that MyRecover found on your drive. Select the files you want to recover and click Recover X Files. Please select a new location to save the recovered files.

Notes：

• The free edition supports data recovery of up to 500MB. If you need to recover unlimited data, it is highly recommended to upgade to MyRecover Pro/Tech. Furthermore, the Technician version continues to provide unrestricted usage inside the same complany and offers clients paid technical services.
• Also, MyRecover applies to all-inclusive data loss scenarios, such as lost or deleted partitions, virus infection, formatted disks, computer crashed recovery, etc.

2. Back up Important Files in Advance

To prevent future data loss, please back up important files. You can manually copy and paste the files to another location, or use free backup software for Windows like AOMEI Backupper Standard to back up multiple files to another partition or external storage device.

After recovering and backing up your precious data, you can proceed to the next part to learn the specific method of how to undo Windows System Restore.

Part 2. Undo System Restore in Windows 11/10/8/7/XP

The methods to undo a System Restore vary depending on your Windows operating system. Follow the specific instructions for your version of Windows below.

1. Undo System Restore in Windows 7

Sometimes, your system may not start properly after a System Restore. In such cases, you can use Safe Mode to undo the restore. Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts your computer with a minimal set of drivers and services, which can help resolve many issues. Here’s what to do:

Step 1. Restart your computer and press F8 repeatedly before the Windows logo appears.

Step 2. Use the arrow keys to select "Safe Mode" from the Advanced Boot Options menu and press Enter.

Step 3. Once in Safe Mode, click on the Start menu, type "System Restore", and press Enter.

Step 4. Select "Undo my last restoration" and follow the prompts to complete the process.

2. Undo System Restore on Windows 10/8.1/8

How to undo System Restore in Windows 10? Here, we offer 2 main options to undo a System Restore on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8:

Option 1: Undo System Restore Using Advanced Startup (Windows 10/8.1/8)

For Windows 10 users:

Step 1. Restart your PC and press Shift + Restart to enter Advanced Startup. Click "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced options" > "System Restore".

Step 2. Click your Administrator Account, enter your password, and click "Continue". When the System Restore window opens, click Next.

Step 3. Select the restore point labeled "Undo" under the Type column, and click "Next".

Step 4. Check the restore details and click on Finish. Click Yes to begin the restore process. Wait for the process to finish.

For Windows 8/8.1 users:

Step 1. Press Win+ R, type shutdown /r /o /t 00, and press Enter to open Advanced options.

Step 2. Select "System Restore", check "Undo System Restore", and click "Next". Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and restart your computer.

Option 2: Undo System Restore via Control Panel (Windows 11/10/8.1/8)

How to undo System Restore in Windows 11? This is not only applicable to Windows 10/8.1/8 but also supports Windows 11.

Step 1. Click control panel in search bar to open "Control Panel", and click on "Systems and Security".

Step 2. Click "Recovery" and select "Open System Restore". Select "Undo System Restore" and click "Next". To find out what will change following the System Restore, "Scan for affected programs".

Step 3. Click "Finish" and then "Yes" to start the process. Wait until it completes. Then, click "Close" and restart your computer.

3. Undo System Restore in Windows XP

If you're using an older version of Windows, such as XP, you might find it challenging to undo a System Restore. Luckily, we have provided a simple guide to help you through this process:

Step 1. Click Start, choose "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "System Restore". Select "Undo My Last Restoration" and click "Next".

Step 2. Click "Next" again, which is now labeled "Undo". Your computer will automatically restart. After restarting, click "OK" in the System Restore window.

Conclusion

Learning how to undo a System Restore in Windows 7/8/10/11/XP can save you a lot of headaches and also help you save time and money. With the above ways, you can easily undo System Restore in Windows 7 or any other version of Windows. It does not require any advanced techniques.

Moreover, when you need to recover lost important data, using MyRecover is a wise choice, which can recover deleted files in Windows 10/11/8/7 with a high success rate. Try it for free now!

FAQs About Undoing System Restore in Windows 7

1. How to reverse a System Restore?

• In Windows, search for "restore" and open "Create a restore point" from the results.
• On the "System Protection" tab, click "System Restore."
• Select "Undo System Restore," then click "Next."
• Confirm the date and time are correct, and click "Finish."

2. How do I undo changes in Windows 7?

• Click "System Restore," then click "Next."
• The most recent restore point is selected by default, which is usually the best option.
• To choose a different restore point, check the "Show more restore points" box, select a restore point, click "Next," and then click "Finish" to confirm.

3. What is the undo key in Windows 7?

• Press Ctrl + Z on your keyboard to undo an action, or select "Undo" on the Quick Access Toolbar.
• You can press Ctrl + Z repeatedly to undo multiple steps.

4. How to do a System Restore from boot in Windows 7?

To do a System Restore from boot in Windows 7, you can use the built-in Windows utility or AOMEI Backupper to recover your computer when it fails to boot.

5. Will System Restore recover deleted files?

In most cases, no. System Restore is designed to bring the computer back to a working state but does not recover accidentally deleted personal files or files deleted from the Recycle Bin. There are other methods to recover deleted files in Windows. But don’t be too worried, there are other ways that can help you undo deleted files in Windows.