"Windows 10/11 System Restore Taking Too Long? Causes and Solutions Explained"

When encountering a significant error with no apparent solution, System Restore is often seen as the most appropriate troubleshooting method. You have a Windows 10 backup on an external hard drive, but we've noticed numerous complaints about the Windows 10/11 system restore process taking a long time.

Don't worry, though. This post is here to assist you and guide you through the effective solutions that won't consume too much time to effectively resolve the issue of Windows 10/11 System Restore taking a long time.

However, before we begin, there's something you should know.

System Restore typically takes up to an hour to complete the restoration process. If it has only been a few minutes since the restoration started, I recommend allowing the procedure to run uninterrupted for at least an hour.

However, if it still fails, system files, a restore point, or background applications incompatible with System Restore are the most probable causes when Windows System Restore gets stuck.

Why Does Windows 10/11 System Restore Take So Long?

It's normal, as the duration depends on the quantity of data and the PC's configuration. Technically, a System Restore can take up to two hours. Interrupting a System Restore after it has begun poses a significant risk of damaging your system. Hence, it's crucial to understand that the number of files stored on your hard drive influences the time it takes to restore Windows 10 or 11. Other reasons for the prolonged System Restore process include: 1. The size of the system files being restored: Larger system files take more time to process. 2. The complexity of the system configuration: A more complex setup may require additional time for restoration. 3. Internet or network speed: If updates or driver downloads are necessary during the process, a slower connection will extend the time. 4. Scanning for issues: The system might be scanning for potential problems or conflicts before applying changes, which can add to the time. 5. The number of applications and programs: Restoring a large number of apps and programs will naturally take longer. 6. Disk fragmentation: If your hard drive is fragmented, it can slow down the System Restore process. 7. Antivirus or security software: These programs may perform additional checks, contributing to the overall time. Remember, patience is key during a System Restore, as interrupting it can lead to instability or corruption in your operating system.

1. 1. System restore gets interrupted
2. 2. Hard drive is full
3. 3. Old backup is too large
4. 4. System crash

System restore gets interrupted

Interruptions like System Restore freezing or the Windows 10/11 Reset taking forever can make users feel like they gotta force a shutdown. Doing that might stop the system from starting back up. Both System Restore and the Windows 11/10 Reset got built-in processes going on. Some of these are real important, and if they don't finish right, Windows might not work at all.

Hard drive is full

System Restore works by creating a copy of all its saved data in a predefined location on the hard drive. When this designated space becomes full, the oldest restore points are automatically deleted to make room for new ones. This can occur either every time a new restore point is created or when the storage allocated for System Restore is running low.

If your primary storage is running low on space, System Restore won't have sufficient temporary room to manage everything. An excessive amount of data on your hard drive can slow down your computer and lead to system freezes and crashes.

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The old backup is too large.

System Restore consumes a considerable amount of storage space on your hard drive. Therefore, you might consider deleting some of your older backup data, especially when you want to free up space on your device. It's advisable to create a System Restore Point before making significant changes to your Windows 10/11 system.

System Crash

The restoration of system files or registry backup may not be thorough if the process is interrupted by a system crash. This could result in Windows taking an extended period to complete the System Restore operation.

How to Tell If System Restore is Stuck or Not

Occasionally, you may encounter an issue where the System Restore is not functioning. One common issue that can occur during the system restore process is attempting to interrupt it, which can result in the System Restore becoming stuck. It's crucial to let the process complete its task without interruption.

How long does the restoration process typically take? It generally takes 30 to 45 minutes for the process to finish. If it exceeds this time frame, consult the solutions below to expedite the System Restore process.

1. Method 1: Perform System Restore in Safe Mode
2. Method 2: Run Startup Repair
3. Method 3: Execute SFC Scan

Method 1: Perform System Restore in Safe Mode

If your system is stuck on the startup screen or file recovery, the first step is to wait, especially if the restore point contains a significant amount of data (hence the importance of knowing how to backup files in Safe Mode in Windows 10 beforehand). If Windows 10 System Restore remains frozen for more than an hour, attempt a forced shutdown. Restart your computer, log back into your account, boot into Safe Mode, and then proceed with the restoration process.

1. Press the Windows logo key + R. 2. Type "msconfig" in the Open box and then select OK. 3. Select the Boot tab. 4. Under Boot options, check the "Safe boot" checkbox. 5. Apply the changes and Restart your computer.

Method 2: Perform Startup Repair

A malfunctioning Boot Manager is one of the possible reasons. You can rectify this issue easily by using Startup Repair. Proceed as follows: Access Advanced Recovery, then select Startup Repair from the options under Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. If this does not resolve the issue, proceed to the next solution.

Method 3: Run System File Checker (SFC)

The Windows System File Check (SFC.exe) utility enables you to detect corruption in system files. If any corrupted files are found, the tool will attempt to repair them. If System Restore takes significantly longer than anticipated, it could indicate the presence of damaged files.

Solve the Issue of Windows 10/11 System Restore Taking Too Long

Here are the solutions to fix the issue of Windows 10/11 System Restore taking a long time. Before proceeding, make sure to run any Antivirus software on your system to remove any active viruses or malware. There are four solutions listed below, and one of them should effectively help you resolve the problem promptly. 1. **Scan for Malware and Viruses**: Run a full system scan using your installed antivirus software to detect and remove any malicious software that might be causing the delay. 2. **Disable Real-Time Protection**: Temporarily disable the real-time protection of your antivirus software during the System Restore process, as it may interfere with the operation. 3. **Run System File Checker (SFC) Scan**: Open an elevated Command Prompt and type "sfc /scannow" to run a System File Checker scan. This will check for corrupted system files and repair them if necessary. 4. **Perform a Clean Boot**: Boot your system into a clean boot state to isolate any background programs that might be causing the issue. To do this, disable non-Microsoft services and startup items, then attempt the System Restore again. 5. **Check Disk for Errors**: Use the "chkdsk /f /r" command in Command Prompt to check your hard drive for errors and fix them. This can help ensure there are no issues with the storage device affecting the restore process. After trying each solution, restart your computer and attempt System Restore again. If the issue persists, consider seeking professional assistance or updating your operating system to the latest version.

1. 1. Use Windows Backup and Restore Software
2. 2. Perform System Restore in Safe Mode
3. 3. Run Startup Repair
4. 4. Run SFC Scan and Try Another Restore Point

1. Utilize Windows Backup and Restore Software

To assist you with backing up and restoring your software, you can try the free trial of Todo Backup Home for 30 days. This reliable Windows backup and system restore software supports backing up and restoring the operating system on all versions of Windows, including Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Todo Backup creates a protected and encrypted partition referred to as a Security Zone for users who store backup files on their local drive. Once created, malware or viruses are unable to access it. Consequently, your backed-up files remain secure, and you can still restore data from them even if your system is compromised.

With its straightforward interface, Todo Backup lets you back up either specific files or your entire computer. Simply choose the backup you want to create, and the app takes care of the rest.

Since System Restores can sometimes fail, it's advisable to create a backup using tools like Todo Backup before attempting a System Restore.

The following steps will assist you in utilizing it effectively:

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup on your computer, and click Create Backup on the home screen. Then, hit the big question mark to select backup contents.

Step 2. To back up your Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system information and all system-related files and partitions will be selected automatically, so there's no need for manual selection here. Next, you'll need to choose a location to save the system image backup by clicking the highlighted area.

Step 4. The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, a network, cloud, or NAS. Generally, we recommend using an external physical drive or cloud to store the system backup files.

Step 5. If interested, you can customize settings such as enabling an automatic backup schedule for daily, weekly, monthly, or event-based backups, and creating differential and incremental backups by clicking on the Options button. After that, click "Backup Now" to initiate the Windows system backup process. Once complete, the finished backup task will be displayed on the left side in a card format.

2. Perform System Restore in Safe Mode

You can create a backup of your computer's System Files, Registry Files, and System Settings using the System Restore feature in Windows. This allows you to apply the saved "System Restore Point" later, to undo any recent changes that might have caused problems with your system.

Step 1: Go to Settings (Win + I) > Update & Security or Windows Update. Click on Recovery, and then click on Restart Now next to the Advanced Startup option.

Step 2: After the computer restarts, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings and click on the Restart button. While the computer is restarting, press the F4 key. This will boot your PC into Safe Mode.

Step 3: After starting the computer in Safe Mode, go to Settings > System, and select the About tab on the left panel. Scroll down to Related Settings on the right side, then click on the System Protection option.

Step 4: Click the Next button, select the Restore Point you wish to use, and then click Next again.

Now, wait for the Restore Process to complete. Once the restoration is finished, you'll receive a pop-up notification informing you that your system has been restored. The System Restore Process will reverse recent alterations that likely caused the issues on your computer, reverting it back to its earlier working state.

3. Run Startup Repair

The Startup Repair tool in Windows 10/11 is designed to fix issues related to files essential for booting the operating system on a properly functioning desktop. Even if your Windows 10/11 installation is malfunctioning, you can still utilize this utility to repair it.

Step 1: Press the Win+I keys on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Locate Update & Security and select the Recovery tab.

Step 3: Click Restart Now under Advanced Startup.

Step 4: Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.

4. Run SFC Scan and Try Another System Restore Point Step 1: Perform an SFC (System File Checker) scan to detect and repair any corrupted system files that might be causing the issue. To do this, follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)". 2. In the Command Prompt or PowerShell window, type `sfc /scannow` and press Enter. 3. Wait for the process to complete. It may take some time, so please be patient. 4. Once finished, restart your computer. Step 2: If the SFC scan doesn't resolve the problem, try using another System Restore point. Follow these steps: 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type `rstrui.exe` and press Enter to open the System Restore utility. 3. In the System Restore wizard, click "Next" to proceed. 4. Select "Choose a different restore point" and click "Next". 5. Choose a restore point from a date before the issue occurred and click "Next" again. 6. Review your selection and click "Finish". Your system will restart and revert to the chosen restore point. Note: If both the SFC scan and System Restore fail to fix the issue, you may need to consider other troubleshooting steps or seek professional assistance.

System File Checker (SFC) is a useful utility for scanning and repairing protected system files. It's the most straightforward and efficient way to assess your computer's stability, identify installation and update issues, and, whenever possible, find replacements for missing or corrupted files. SFC is available on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11; however, keeping your system up-to-date is always recommended. Run the SFC scan to see if it resolves the issue.

Step 1: Boot into Advanced Recovery using a bootable system. This needs to be done when your PC is no longer able to boot normally.

Step 2: Go to Choose an option > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Command Prompt.

Step 3: Select an account, and then type the password.

Step 4: In the pop-out box, type the command sfc /scannow to search for missing or corrupted system files in Windows 10/11.

Step 5: Return to Advanced Options, and run System Restore after verification is complete to check if there's still any delay when restoring files.

Conclusion

Before commencing the system restore process, it is crucial to backup all your data using a reliable tool like Todo Backup, in case any system errors occur during the process. Attempt the solutions provided in the article sequentially; if one method does not work, proceed to the next. This approach should facilitate a smoother and faster system restoration experience for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows System Restore Taking a Long Time Issue

These frequently asked questions often arise during a slow System Restore process. You can refer to these answers if you have any uncertainties.

1. What Happens If I Interrupt System Restore in Windows 10?

Interrupting the system file or registry backup recovery process will not complete it successfully. This can lead to an incomplete procedure and might cause data corruption, boot record corruption, and numerous issues.

2. What Should I Do If System Restore Fails in Windows 10?

1. Verify the functionality of Volume Shadow Copy and Virtual Disk on the desktop. 2. Check for any corruption and run an error-checking disk on the hard drive. 3. Start the System File Checker. To ascertain if any corrupted system files could be causing this issue, a System File Checker (SFC) scan should be conducted.

3. How to Disable System Restore in Windows 10?

Press and hold the Power button for 5 to 10 seconds. This will force a hard shutdown. Be aware that interrupting the restoration process could result in data or application loss.

If you want to reset Windows 10, you can opt to retain your files and Windows programs, but the reset process will eliminate any third-party applications you've installed.

4. What to Do If Windows 10 System Restore Gets Stuck on Restarting?

Select "Troubleshoot" on the "Choose an option" screen. You can then use Safe Mode. Under "Advanced Options," select "Startup Settings." Then, choose "5" or "F5" to restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking after it restarts. Once the computer boots into Safe Mode with Networking, attempt a System Restore.