Has your Windows 10 computer started running slow, freezing, or crashing unexpectedly? Or maybe a recent update or driver installation messed up your system? Don’t worry — you can get your PC back to normal with a system restore.
In this detailed guide, we’ll show you how to restore Windows 10 step by step, explain the difference between System Restore, Reset This PC, and System Image Recovery, and help you choose the best method for your situation.
Whether you’re a casual user or a tech enthusiast, this guide will walk you through the entire recovery process in plain, easy-to-understand language.
🔍 Quick Summary: Key Takeaways
| Method | Purpose | Difficulty | Data Loss Risk | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System Restore | Revert Windows to a previous state | Easy | Low | Fixing app/driver issues |
| Reset This PC | Reinstalls Windows (option to keep files) | Moderate | Medium | Removing system corruption |
| System Image Recovery | Full system backup restore | Advanced | High | Full recovery or major crashes |
| Recovery Drive | Boot from USB to repair Windows | Advanced | Varies | When Windows won’t start |
What Does “Restore Windows 10” Mean?
Restoring Windows 10 simply means returning your system to a previous working condition.
It’s like hitting the “undo” button for your entire computer — reversing harmful changes from:
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Faulty drivers or updates
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Malware infections
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Corrupted system files
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Software installations that broke Windows
Depending on the method, restoring can mean rolling back changes, reinstalling Windows, or recovering from a full backup image.
Why You Might Need to Restore Windows 10
Some common signs that it’s time for a system restore:
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Your PC keeps crashing or freezing
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Apps stop opening properly
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You installed a bad driver or update
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Windows boots slowly or not at all
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Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors appear
Performing a restore can often fix these problems without reinstalling everything from scratch.
Types of Windows 10 Restore and Recovery Options
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to know your options:
| Restore Method | Description | Data Impact |
|---|---|---|
| System Restore | Restores Windows to an earlier restore point | Keeps personal files |
| Reset This PC | Reinstalls Windows 10 (optionally keeps files) | Removes apps |
| System Image Recovery | Restores entire system from an image backup | Erases everything |
| Recovery Drive | Boots from a USB to repair or reinstall Windows | Varies |
Let’s go through each one step by step.
🧩 1. How to Use System Restore in Windows 10
System Restore is the easiest and safest way to roll back your PC to an earlier date without deleting your files.
Step 1: Open System Restore
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Press Windows + S and type Create a restore point.
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Select the System Protection tab.
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Click System Restore.
Step 2: Choose a Restore Point
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Click Next to see available restore points.
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Select one from before your issue started.
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Click Scan for affected programs to see which apps or drivers will be removed.
Step 3: Confirm and Start
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Click Next → Finish → Yes to confirm.
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Your computer will restart and begin the restore process.
Step 4: Wait for the Process to Complete
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The process can take 10–30 minutes.
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Once complete, Windows will boot to your desktop with a message:
“System Restore completed successfully.”
✅ Note: Your documents and pictures are safe — only system files and settings are rolled back.
⚙️ 2. How to Create a System Restore Point (Before Problems Happen)
It’s always better to create restore points manually so you can recover easily later.
Steps:
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Open Create a restore point via the Start menu.
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Under the System Protection tab, select your system drive (C:).
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Click Configure → Turn on system protection.
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Click Create, give it a name like “Before Update,” and press Create again.
Now you’ll have a safe restore point to fall back on.
🧱 3. How to Reset Windows 10 (Keep or Remove Files)
If System Restore doesn’t fix your problem, Reset This PC reinstalls Windows — giving you a clean slate.
Step 1: Open Reset Options
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Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
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Under Reset this PC, click Get started.
Step 2: Choose an Option
You’ll see two options:
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Keep my files → Reinstalls Windows but keeps personal data.
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Remove everything → Deletes all files and apps (fresh install).
Step 3: Follow On-Screen Prompts
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Choose whether to Cloud download or Local reinstall.
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Click Next → Reset.
Windows will reinstall itself. This process takes 30–60 minutes.
✅ Tip: Always back up your important files before resetting.
💾 4. How to Use a System Image for Full Recovery
If you created a system image backup previously, you can use it to completely restore your PC.
What You’ll Need:
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An external hard drive with a system image
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A Windows 10 installation disk or Recovery USB
Step 1: Boot into Advanced Startup
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Insert your recovery media.
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Restart your PC and press F8, F11, or Esc (depends on manufacturer).
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Choose Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Image Recovery.
Step 2: Select the System Image
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Choose your external drive or network location.
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Pick the latest image file.
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Click Next → Finish → Yes to confirm.
This will replace your entire system with the backup image.
⚠️ Warning: This deletes all new files or changes made after the image was created.
🧰 5. How to Restore Windows 10 Using a Recovery Drive
If Windows 10 won’t boot at all, a Recovery Drive (USB) can help repair or reinstall it.
Step 1: Create a Recovery Drive (on another PC)
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Insert a USB (at least 16 GB).
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Open Create a recovery drive in the Start menu.
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Check Back up system files to the recovery drive → Next → Create.
Step 2: Boot From the Recovery USB
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Plug it into the malfunctioning PC.
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Turn on the PC and press F12/F9/ESC to open the boot menu.
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Choose USB Drive as the boot option.
Step 3: Restore or Reinstall
From the menu, you can:
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Run System Restore
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Recover from a system image
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Reset this PC
This is your ultimate rescue tool when nothing else works.
🧩 6. How to Access System Restore from Safe Mode
If your PC won’t start normally, you can run System Restore in Safe Mode.
Steps:
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Restart your computer and press F8 or Shift + F8 repeatedly before Windows loads.
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Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore.
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Select your restore point and proceed.
Safe Mode loads only essential drivers, making restore operations more reliable.
🪄 7. How to Restore Windows 10 Without a Password
Forgot your login password? You can still access System Restore from the boot menu.
Steps:
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Boot your PC. On the login screen, click Power → Restart while holding Shift.
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Choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → System Restore.
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Select your user account (you’ll need the password to proceed if protection is enabled).
If you can’t remember it, you can use a Recovery Drive instead.
⚡ 8. How to Restore Windows 10 After an Update
Sometimes a Windows update can cause system instability. Rolling back can fix it quickly.
Steps:
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Go to Settings → Update & Security → Recovery.
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Under Go back to the previous version of Windows 10, click Get started.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
✅ Tip: This option is available only for 10 days after an update.
🧠 9. What to Do If System Restore Fails
If System Restore doesn’t complete successfully, try these fixes:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Restore failed due to antivirus | Disable antivirus temporarily |
| No restore points found | Turn on System Protection and create restore points |
| Corrupted restore points | Delete all points and create a new one |
| Windows won’t boot | Use Safe Mode or Recovery Drive |
Run sfc /scannow and DISM commands to repair system files before trying again.
🧩 10. Using Command Prompt for Recovery (Advanced Users)
If Windows GUI isn’t accessible, you can run restore commands from Command Prompt.
Steps:
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Boot into Advanced Startup Options.
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Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.
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Type:
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Press Enter to launch the System Restore interface.
🧼 11. When to Choose Reset vs Restore
| Feature | System Restore | Reset This PC |
|---|---|---|
| Reverts settings and updates | ✅ | ❌ |
| Keeps personal files | ✅ | Optional |
| Removes apps | ❌ | ✅ |
| Fixes system corruption | Partial | Complete |
| Time Required | 10–30 mins | 30–60 mins |
If your PC is only slightly unstable — use System Restore.
If it’s completely corrupted — choose Reset This PC.
🧩 12. Backup Before Any Recovery
Before doing any restore, back up your important data.
You can use:
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File History (Settings → Update & Security → Backup)
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OneDrive cloud backup
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External hard drive
This ensures you don’t lose precious files during the process.
🧰 13. What to Expect After System Restore
Once your system is restored:
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Windows may reinstall or update drivers automatically.
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Apps or updates installed after the restore point will be gone.
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System performance should improve immediately.
Check Windows Update afterward to reinstall necessary patches.
🧠 14. How to Prevent Future Problems
To avoid frequent restores:
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Install trusted software only.
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Keep drivers and Windows updated.
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Create restore points before major updates.
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Use antivirus and backup tools regularly.
🏁 Conclusion: Restore Windows 10 and Get Your PC Running Like New
Learning how to restore Windows 10 can save you from unnecessary headaches, lost productivity, and expensive repair costs.
You’ve now learned how to:
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Use System Restore to undo harmful changes
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Perform a Reset or Reinstall when necessary
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Recover from System Images and Recovery Drives
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Troubleshoot restore failures effectively
With these steps, you can bring your Windows 10 back to life — fast, safe, and without losing your important files.
FAQs About Restoring Windows 10
1. Does restoring Windows 10 delete my personal files?
No, System Restore doesn’t delete personal files. However, Reset This PC (Remove everything) will erase them.
2. How long does a System Restore take?
Usually between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on system size and hardware speed.
3. I can’t find any restore points — what should I do?
System Restore might be turned off. Enable System Protection in Control Panel and create restore points manually.
4. What’s the difference between System Restore and System Image Recovery?
System Restore reverts settings and updates, while System Image Recovery replaces everything, including files and programs.
5. Can I use System Restore if Windows won’t start?
Yes. You can access System Restore from Safe Mode or a Recovery Drive.
Key Takeaways
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System Restore is your first line of defense against Windows problems.
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Reset This PC reinstalls Windows when restore points fail.
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System Image Recovery restores a full backup — ideal for total system crashes.
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Always back up your data before restoring.
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Keep System Protection enabled to automatically create restore points.