How to Disable System Restore in Windows 10 [Three Methods]

Why Do We Need to Disable System Restore?

The reasons for needing to stop System Restore are as follows:

• Sometimes, you might need to disable System Restore, for instance, to remove infected files detected by Kaspersky products from the Restore Point.
• The more you use System Restore, the more storage it consumes for backup data, potentially slowing down your computer.
• In case of system failures or hard disk crashes, System Restore may be ineffective since it doesn't include the system and boot files necessary for Windows to start. Hence, it's advisable to disable System Restore and create a system backup in Windows 10.

Is It Safe to Disable System Restore?

System Restore is an integrated feature in Microsoft Windows. It enables computer users to revert their system's state to a previous, functional point, which is particularly useful for recovering from system failures or other issues. Additionally, System Restore continually monitors the computer's activity and automatically creates system restore points when specific events occur.

Disabling System Restore prevents you from undoing changes. Thus, it's not recommended to turn it off.

However, computer users sometimes have to stop System Restore due to the aforementioned reasons. And we need to take measures to protect the data on our computer if we choose to disable System Restore.

Backup a Windows 10 Computer System with Robust Backup Software

It is crucial to find a dependable Windows system restore software, like Todo Backup Free, to create a system backup if you intend to disable System Restore. A system backup serves as an excellent option to safeguard both your system and data on your computer.

Todo Backup is a robust and free backup software solution. It enables you to automate system backup, file backup, disk backup, and more. Additionally, you can utilize it to create backups of various file types and different types of backups. Notably, it provides 250GB of cloud storage, allowing you to store backups in the cloud and conserve space on your computer. Here are some valuable features of this free system backup tool:

• High compatibility. It is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP, and Vista.
• Multi-path storage options. It allows you to store backups in various locations, such as local drives, secure zones, NAS devices, and the cloud.
• Different backup modes. It enables you to create full, incremental, and differential backups.

Guide: How to Create a Windows 10 System Backup Using a Free Backup Tool

The steps to create a Windows 10 system backup are as follows:

Step 1. Launch Todo Backup tool and choose "Create Backup" on the homepage, then click "Select backup contents".

Step 2. Click "OS" among the four available categories to begin the backup process.

Step 3. The system partition will be selected automatically, you just need to choose the location.

Step 4. You can save the backup file to your Local Drive, Cloud, or NAS. You also have the option to connect an external hard drive to store the system backup files.

Step 5. You can customize the settings in "Options" at the bottom left corner. After that, click "Backup Now", and the process will commence.

*Upon completing the backup process, you can check the backup status, recover, open, or delete the backup by right-clicking the backup task on the left.

Disable System Restore with Three Methods

1. Solution 1: Disable System Restore through System Protection 2. Solution 2: Turn Off System Restore using Local Group Policy Editor 3. Solution 3: Stop System Restore from the Windows Command Prompt

Here are three commonly used methods to disable System Restore in Windows 10. Choose the one that suits your needs: 1. **Using the Control Panel**: - Step 1: Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu. - Step 2: In the Control Panel, select "System and Security" > "System". - Step 3: On the left side, click on "System Protection". - Step 4: Under the Protection Settings section, select the drive for which you want to disable System Restore. - Step 5: Click on "Configure" and choose "Turn off system protection" then click "Apply" and "OK". 2. **Using the Settings App**: - Step 1: Launch the Settings app by pressing Windows + I keys. - Step 2: Go to "Update & Security" > "Recovery". - Step 3: Under the "Advanced startup" section, click "Open System Properties". - Step 4: Follow steps 3-5 from the Control Panel method above. 3. **Using the Command Prompt** (Admin Privileges Required): - Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Command Prompt (Admin)". - Step 2: Type the following command and press Enter: ``` vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /On=C: /For=C: /MaxSize=0 ``` Replace "C:" with the drive letter where Windows is installed if different. - Step 3: Confirm any prompts that appear. Remember, disabling System Restore means you won't be able to revert to previous system states if something goes wrong. It's recommended to create a system image or backup before doing this.

Solution 1: Disable System Restore through System Protection Step 1: Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard to open the Search bar. Step 2: Type "System Protection" in the search field and click on "Create a restore point" from the results. Step 3: In the System Properties window, click on the "System Protection" tab. Step 4: Under the "Protection Settings" section, select the drive for which you want to turn off System Restore (usually the C: drive). Step 5: Click on the "Configure" button. Step 6: In the "System Protection" dialog box, choose "Turn off system protection" or "Disable system protection." Step 7: Click "Apply" and then "OK" to confirm the changes. Step 8: Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. After following these steps, System Restore will be disabled on the selected drive, and the issue with System Protection should be resolved. However, remember that disabling System Restore leaves your system without a safety net for restoring previous states in case of issues. It's recommended to re-enable it once the problem is fixed.

It can work effectively when it comes to disabling System Restore in Windows 10. Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1. Click the Start button, type "System Protection" in the search box, and then click System Protection in the Programs list.

Step 2. Select the disk you wish to disable System Restore on, and then click on "Configure."

Step 3. Choose Disable system protection and click OK.

Solution 2: Disable System Restore Using Local Group Policy Editor Step 1: Open the Local Group Policy Editor Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type "gpedit.msc" and hit Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor. Step 2: Navigate to the relevant policy In the left pane, navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > System Restore Step 3: Disable System Restore In the right pane, double-click on "Turn off system protection" or "Prevent changes to restore points" (depending on the version of Windows). Step 4: Configure the policy Select "Enabled" and then click "Apply" followed by "OK". This will disable System Restore for all drives on your computer. Step 5: Restart your computer After applying the changes, restart your computer for the new settings to take effect. Note: Disabling System Restore can leave your system vulnerable to issues that might require a restore point for recovery. Ensure you have alternative backup methods in place before disabling it.

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows 10. If your computer is running one of these operating systems, you can attempt this method. If not, it's recommended to revert to the first method.

Step 1. Press the Windows key and the R key together to open a Run dialog box. Type "gpedit.msc" and click on "OK."

Step 2. In the newly opened window, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > System Restore.

Step 3. Double-click on "Turn off System Restore," then select "Enabled" and click "OK."

Solution 3: Stop System Restore from the Windows Command Line

This is another way for you to disable System Restore if the two mentioned ways do not work.

We can stop the System Restore service from the command line by using the below command: ```cmd sc stop "System Restore Point Creator" ``` Note: This command assumes that the service name for System Restore is "System Restore Point Creator." However, the actual service name might vary depending on the operating system. Always verify the service name before executing any commands.

"sc config srservice start= disabled" translates to "SC configuration srservice start as disabled" in English.

Note: The above command does not alter the current running state of the System Restore service. If the service is currently running, disabling it will not cease its operation in the current session. However, upon restarting the system, this service will not initiate.

Conclusion

The above three methods are practical for disabling Windows 10 System Restore. However, before attempting any of these methods, it's crucial to ensure that you have created a Windows 10 system backup. This way, you can restore your data if any issues arise. We highly recommend using tools like Todo Backup Free for this purpose.

Todo Backup Free provides a straightforward solution for performing Windows system backup and recovery. Additionally, this backup software enables you to accomplish various other tasks. For instance, you can back up your SSD to an image and create a comprehensive system image.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens after System Restore? After performing a System Restore, your computer will revert to a previous state, known as a restore point. This process typically affects the following: 1. **Software**: Any applications or programs installed after the selected restore point will be removed, as they no longer exist in that point in time. Programs and applications that were installed before the restore point will remain. 2. **Settings**: System settings that were changed after the restore point will be reset to their earlier configurations. This includes things like desktop wallpaper, network settings, and system preferences. 3. **Files**: System Restore generally does not affect personal files, such as documents, photos, music, or videos, unless they were created, modified, or saved in the system folders (e.g., Program Files or Windows folder). Files stored in user profiles should remain intact. 4. **Drivers**: Updated drivers installed after the restore point may be rolled back to their previous versions, potentially resolving compatibility issues or conflicts that arose之后. 5. **Viruses/Malware**: If your system was infected with malware after the restore point, a System Restore may remove the infection, as it would not have existed at the time of the restore point. However, it's important to run a full antivirus scan after the restore to ensure your system is clean. 6. **Updates**: Any updates to the operating system or software that occurred after the restore point will be undone. Your system will be running on the version present at the chosen restore point. Remember that System Restore is not a backup solution; it's designed to fix system problems, not recover lost data. It's always advisable to regularly back up important files to an external location or cloud service to protect against data loss.

System Restore can create a snapshot of the system files and the Windows registry, saving them as Restore Points. In the event of an installation failure or data corruption, System Restore enables the system to be returned to a functional state without the need to re-install the operating system.

2. Does System Restore delete programs? System Restore is a feature in Windows that allows you to revert your system files, settings, and some applications to an earlier point in time, called a restore point. It does not typically delete programs outright. However, if a program was installed after the chosen restore point, that program might be removed or become non-functional because the installation is undone. System Restore primarily focuses on restoring system stability and reversing changes that may have caused issues, rather than deleting user-installed programs. It is always advisable to back up important data and programs before performing a System Restore.

Though System Restore can alter all your system files, Windows updates, and programs, it will not delete or modify any of the files saved on your hard drive. Even if you've recently uploaded several dozen pictures or documents, the restore process won't reverse those uploads.

3. What happens if I interrupt System Restore in Windows 10?

If the System Restore process is interrupted, the system files or registry backup restoration might be incomplete. Sometimes, System Restore gets stuck or the Windows 10 Reset process takes an excessive amount of time, leading to a forced system shutdown. This can result in the computer system becoming unbootable.

4. Is System Restore a good idea?

System Restore is a valuable feature that allows you to revert your Windows computer to a previous state. It can be incredibly beneficial in various scenarios, and it's recommended to create System Restore points periodically as a best practice.