Windows Solution: Unable to Create Restore Point in Windows 10

System Restore is a valuable feature in Windows 10 that backs up all crucial system and registry files and saves them as Restore Points. Creating a System Restore point is an efficient way to deal with unexpected system failures and data corruption easily. However, many Windows 10 users are currently experiencing issues when trying to create System Restore points. According to user reports, they're running into various errors during the process. As a result, they're constantly searching for quick solutions to address the problem. Fortunately, this article offers some top fixes for the "can't create restore point" issue in Windows 10. Check them out and eliminate the issue using the methods mentioned below.

Overview of "Can't Create Restore Point" Issue in Windows 10

It's worth noting that there could be various reasons for this issue. However, these are some of the most common causes of the "can't create restore point" problem in Windows 10.

1. Malfunctioning Event System & Task Scheduler Services
2. Third-Party Antivirus Software
3. Issues with System Restore Service
4. Problems with Volume Shadow Copy
5. Hard Disk Errors
6. Disabled System Protection
7. Interference from Third-Party Applications

1. Confirm that System Restore is Enabled

One solution to this problem is to make sure the System Restore feature is activated. You might need to utilize the Group Policy Editor to verify this setting. Follow the steps below to check if the System Restore option is disabled: 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "gpedit.msc" in the dialog box and press Enter to launch the Group Policy Editor. 3. In the left pane of the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following path: - Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > System Restore and Shadow Copies 4. In the right pane, locate the policy named "Turn off system protection" or "Disable System Restore." 5. Double-click on the policy to open its properties. 6. Check the status of the policy: - If it's set to "Enabled," System Restore is disabled. To enable it, select "Not Configured" or "Disabled," then click Apply and OK. - If it's set to "Not Configured" or "Disabled," System Restore should be enabled. However, it's still recommended to verify this by creating a System Restore point manually. 7. Close the Group Policy Editor. 8. To manually create a System Restore point, search for "Create a restore point" in the Windows search bar and follow the on-screen instructions. After completing these steps, System Restore should be functional, allowing you to revert to a previous state if needed.

Step 1. Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run program.

Translation:

Step 2. Type gpedit.msc in the Open section.

Step 3. Press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

Step 4. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > System Restore in the Group Policy Editor.

Step 5. Review the status of the Turn Off Configuration and System Restore options in the State column.

Step 6. Double-click the Turn off Configuration option, set this option to Not Configured, and click on Apply.

Step 7. Do the same with the Turn off System Restore option.

Step 8. Reboot your system and attempt to create a restore point again.

2. Disable Built-in Antivirus & Third-party Antivirus Software

One possible cause of this issue might be antivirus software. We advise temporarily disabling the built-in real-time protection feature as well as any third-party antivirus tools. After doing so, attempt to create a system restore point.

2.1 Disable Built-in Real-time Protection Feature Disable the built-in real-time protection feature.

Step 1. Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.

Step 2. Go to the Update & security section and click on Windows Security.

Step 3. Click on Manage settings under the Virus & Threat Protection settings section.

Step 4. Disable the Real-time protection option by clicking on the toggle switch.

Step 5. After disabling Real-time Protection, attempt to create a restore point to check if it's functioning.

Step 1. Press the Windows key on the taskbar and type Settings.

Step 2. Click on Apps and then navigate to the Apps & features tab.

Step 3. In the Apps section, search for the antivirus tool and then right-click on it.

Step 4. Choose Uninstall from the options, and then confirm the uninstallation.

Quick Tip: You can also temporarily disable the antivirus shields of the tool instead of disabling the entire software.

Step 5. Once finished, try using the restore point again to check if it's working or not.

3. Enable the System Protection Option

System Protection is a crucial Windows feature that safeguards all the data stored on your system. To resolve this issue on your Windows 10 system, you must ensure that the System Protection option is activated. Follow these steps to enable the System Protection feature:

Step 1. Press the Windows key, and type System Restore in the Search Bar.

Step 2. Open Create a system restore point from the Best match section.

Step 3. Click on Configure.

Step 4. Make sure that the Restore settings option is set to Turn on system protection.

Step 5. Click Apply, and then click OK.

4. Ensure Essential Services Are Enabled

Numerous Windows 10 users posed the identical question on the Microsoft Community forum. Kudos to one of the Windows experts who proposed a solution. They suggested enabling the Volume Shadow Copy service and configuring it to start automatically. Here are the steps to activate the Volume Shadow Copy service: 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "services.msc" in the dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Services Manager. 3. In the Services Manager, scroll down until you find "Volume Shadow Copy" in the list. 4. Right-click on "Volume Shadow Copy" and select "Properties" from the context menu. 5. In the "Volume Shadow Copy Properties" window, under the "General" tab, ensure that the "Startup type" is set to "Automatic." 6. If it's not already set to Automatic, click the drop-down menu and select "Automatic." 7. Next, click on the "Start" button to start the service, if it's not currently running. 8. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to save the changes. After following these steps, the Volume Shadow Copy service should be enabled and set to start automatically, potentially resolving the issue you're experiencing.

Step 1. Open Run and type services.msc in the Search Box.

Step 2. In the Services section, search for Volume Shadow Copy and double-tap on it.

Step 3. Verify that the service is Running. If not, click the Start button to activate the service.

Step 4. Set the Startup type setting to Automatic, not Manual.

Step 5. Follow the same steps (Step 1 through Step 4) for the Event System and Task Scheduler services.

5. Check for Hard Disk Error

Errors on your hard drive could also contribute to this issue. You can automatically correct any existing hard drive errors by running a command in the Command Prompt. Follow the steps below to accomplish this: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows Terminal (Admin)" if available. 2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and then press Enter: ``` chkdsk /f /r C: ``` Note: If your system drive is not C:, replace 'C:' with the appropriate drive letter. 3. You might receive a message asking if you want to schedule the check for the next restart. Type 'Y' and press Enter to confirm. 4. Restart your computer. The hard drive check will begin automatically during the startup process. 5. Once the process is complete, your computer will boot normally. Check if the issue persists. This process scans your hard drive for errors and attempts to repair them. If the problem continues, there might be other underlying causes that require further investigation.

Step 1. Run the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. This means you need to open the Command Prompt in an elevated mode, which allows you to execute commands that require higher permissions. To do this: 1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard. 2. From the menu that appears, select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)" depending on your system. 3. If prompted, click "Yes" or provide the administrator password to continue. Now, the Command Prompt will open with administrator privileges, ready for you to enter your commands.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt, type or copy-paste chkdsk /r X and press the Enter key.

Note: Replace the 'X' with the hard disk you want to target for the scan.

Step 3. While the command is running, type Y and press the Enter key.

Step 4. Reboot the system and let it scan for errors on your hard disk and fix them.

6. Perform a DISM and SFC Scan

One of the most frequent reasons for the System Restore feature not functioning properly is corrupted system files. Thankfully, a simple command can rectify all corrupted system files. To replace the corrupted files and resolve the issue, follow the steps outlined below:

6.1 Run Deployment Image Servicing and Management Scan to Repair Windows 10 Image

Step 1. Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

Step 2. Copy and paste DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth, and then press the Enter key.

Step 3. You need to wait for a few minutes to let the repair process complete.

Step 4. After running the DISM command, reboot your PC and create a system restore point.

6.2 Run the System File Checker Scan to Repair Damaged Files

Step 1. Run Command Prompt with administrator privileges.

Step 2. Type SFC /scannow and press the Enter key.

Step 3. Scanning will now begin and may take a few minutes to complete.

Step 4. After the scan is finished, restart your computer. You should now be able to create and restore system restore points.

7. Ensure Adequate Memory is Allocated for System Restore

The System Restore feature creates backups of essential system files and registry files and stores them on your computer's storage. Consequently, it needs adequate space to function properly. It's possible that not enough space has been allocated for System Restore. If that's the case, you need to ensure that your system has assigned sufficient memory for creating and saving restore points. Here are the steps to allocate more storage to System Restore in Windows 10:

Step 1. Open the System Restore settings.

Step 2. Navigate to the System Protection tab in the System Restore settings.

Step 3. Click on the Configure button.

Step 4. You will now see a slider at the bottom of the pop-up window. Use this slider to adjust the disk space allocated for the System Restore function. It is recommended to assign at least 300 MBs of space for the feature to function properly.

Step 5. Click on Apply, and finally, OK.

8. Attempt to Create a Restore Point Manually

The System Restore feature automatically generates restore points at specific intervals. If your system is not creating system restore points, you can follow these steps to manually create a system restore point.

Step 1. Access the System Restore settings and navigate to the System Protection tab.

Step 2. Click on Create in the System Protection tab.

Step 3. Assign a name to your restore point on the Create a restore point pop-up.

Step 4. Click on the Create button to add the restore point.

Step 5. Once the restore point is created, you'll see a completion message.

9. Perform a System Restore in Safe Mode

We install new applications on our Windows system daily. Occasionally, these applications may conflict with crucial services, such as the System Restore feature. To check if any third-party app is causing the problem, you can attempt to use System Restore in Safe Mode. Follow the steps outlined below to do so: 1. **Restart your computer**: First, restart your computer and start it in Safe Mode. To do this, press the F8 key repeatedly just as your computer begins to boot up. This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. 2. **Select Safe Mode**: From the menu, use the arrow keys to highlight "Safe Mode" and press Enter. 3. **Log in**: If prompted, log in to your Windows account with your username and password. 4. **Open System Restore**: Once logged in, click on the Start button, type "System Restore" in the search bar, and press Enter. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + R, type "rstrui.exe" in the Run dialog box, and hit Enter. 5. **System Restore Wizard**: The System Restore Wizard will appear. Click "Next" to proceed. 6. **Choose a restore point**: Select the "Show more restore points" option if available, and choose a restore point from a date when you know your system was functioning correctly. Avoid choosing a point too far back, as you might lose recently installed programs and updates. 7. **Confirm your choice**: Review your selected restore point and make sure you're aware of any potential data loss. Click "Next" and then "Finish" to initiate the restore process. 8. **Wait for the process to complete**: The system will now begin the restoration process, which may take some time. Do not turn off your computer during this time. 9. **Reboot normally**: Once the process is finished, your computer will automatically restart. After restarting, check if the issue persists in normal mode. By performing System Restore in Safe Mode, you can isolate any potential conflicts caused by third-party applications and hopefully resolve the problem.

Step 1. Open the Settings and navigate to the Update & security section.

Step 2. Click on Recovery under the Update & security tab.

Step 3. Click on Restart under the Advanced startup section.

Step 4. Your system will now restart and show the Advanced Startup options. Select Troubleshoot from the Advanced options screen.

Step 5. Click Startup settings in the Advanced options section.

Step 6. Select Restart to access additional boot options.

Step 7. Press F or F5 on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode with Networking functionality.

Step 8. Press the Windows + R key combination and type msconfig in the Search bar.

Step 9. Head to the Boot tab and check the Safe Mode checkbox.

Step 10. Click on Apply, then restart the PC. During the reboot process, press 8 to boot into safe mode.

Step 11. Reopen the System Restore settings and create a new system restore point.

10. Modify System Restore Settings via Registry Editor

Numerous Windows 10 users have reported that adjusting System Restore settings through the Registry Editor can resolve the issue. Here are the steps to modify the System Restore settings:

Step 1. Open Windows Search and type Regedit in the Search Bar.

Step 2. Navigate to the mentioned path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache

Step 3. You need to back up the TaskCache registry key first. Right-click the TaskCache registry key and select Export.

Step 4. Give this backup key a name and save it.

Step 5. Once finished, navigate to the specified path: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\Microsoft\Windows

Step 6. Right-click on the key and select the Delete option from the context menu.

Step 7. Finally, close all the windows and restart your computer.

11. Reset the Windows 10 PC

Don't worry if none of the aforementioned solutions work, as this final method should resolve the issue with creating a restore point. You can reset your PC without erasing your existing files and apps. Follow these steps to reset your Windows 10 PC:

Step 1. Go to System Settings' Update & recovery section.

Step 2. Click on Recovery to access additional settings.

Step 3. Click on the Reset this PC button under the Get Started section.

Step 4. Choose the Keep my files option to preserve your system files while refreshing your computer.

Step 5. Wait until the reboot is complete, and then try using the feature again.

What Other Ways Can You Use to Protect Your Computer?

We always recommend that Windows users employ backup tools and integrated backup features as a precaution. You never know when the System Restore function might cease to work.

In this case, we recommend utilizing the Todo Backup tool. This is an excellent tool for creating automated system backups. Even if the System Restore function fails, this tool will consistently perform backups for you.

You won't have to worry even if your system fails since your backup will only be a click away. You can restore your backups anytime, anywhere, and on any PC. One fantastic feature is that you get 250GB of free cloud storage to keep all your Windows 10 system backups or other files. Be sure to try the Todo Backup tool to timely back up your Windows 10 system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In this section, we have addressed some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the issue of unable to create a restore point in Windows 10. We recommend reading through this section to clarify any doubts you may have on this topic.

Why Am I Unable to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 10?

This issue could arise due to several reasons, such as a malfunctioning Volume Shadow Copy service. However, in many instances, third-party antivirus software is the primary cause of this problem.

How Can I Force a System Restore Point?

Open the System Protection settings and click on Create. Enter a name for the new restore point, then click on the Create button. You can subsequently view the restore point within the System Protection settings by selecting the System Restore option.

Final Thought: In conclusion, it is essential to reflect upon the ideas and insights that have been presented. This final thought serves as a reminder to ponder over the significance of what has been discussed and how it might apply to our lives or the broader context. It encourages us to digest the information, draw conclusions, and potentially spark further contemplation.

Creating system restore points before updating and installing new applications is an excellent practice to safeguard your Windows system against potential issues. However, this is not possible for some Windows 10 users. Certain Windows 10 users encounter difficulties in creating system restore points. The solutions mentioned above can assist in resolving the "can't create restore point" issue in Windows 10. We assure you that implementing any of these solutions will indeed provide relief in this challenging situation.