What does “undo system restore” mean? How to undo system restore in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, Windows 7, and Windows XP? Read here!

1. Title: [Step-by-Step] Undo System Restore Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP?
Keywords: undosystemrestore,howtoundoa systemrestore, undosystemrestorewindows11,
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Description: What does “undo system restore” mean? How to undo system restore in Windows 11,
Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, Windows 7, and Windows XP? Read here!
URL: https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/undo-system-restore.html
Summary: This article summarized on MiniTool official web page explains the official system
recovery-related feature – undo system restore. This is a less popular function known by fewer users
than Windows Go back or factory restore,but it’s really useful in some situations.
What Is “Undo System Restore”?
Systemprotectionisafunctiontoconduct a systemrestore that bringsthe computerback to its
earlierdate orpointin time (systemrestore point).Eachsystemrestore point containsthe necessary
informationrequiredtorestore the operatingsystem(OS) tothe selectedstate.
Restore pointsare generatedautomaticallywhenyouinstallanew program, driver,or system
update;andare generatedwhenyoumanuallycreate one.Restorationwillnotaffectyourpersonal
data inthe %UserProfile% folder,butitdoesdelete apps,drivers,andWindowsupdatesthatare
receivedbythe machine afterthe restore pointwascreated.
However,undosystemrestore will cancel the changesthatrestorationdoestoyourcomputerand
returnit back to the conditionbefore youcarryoutthe restoration.

2. Why Need to Undo System Restore?
If you encountersome problemwhileorafter the systemrestoration,youcancancel thisoperation
by undoingthe systemrestore whenitcompletes.Forexample,the systemrestorationstucks
foreverwithoutprogressingoritdoesnotgo the way youwanted.
The sooneryou can undoaftersystemrestore,the better,especiallywhenyoufindsomethinggoes
wrongafterrestorationandyou cannotfix itin currentstatus.
Note:A systemrestoration can’tbeundoneif it is completed in safemodeor fromtheAdvanced
StartOptions menu at boot.
Back up Data Before Undoing System Restore
Althoughbothsystemrestore andundosystem restore won’tinfluencepersonalinformation,itis
more secure to still create abackup of crucial filesincase of some accidentslike systemrestore
undone failure.Also,if youwouldlike tokeepsome applicationsanddriversafterundoingthe
systemrestoration,youneedabackup.
Then,howto builda backupof those items?Youmay feel ata lossabout where tostart for makinga
backup.If yourelyona professional andreliable backupsoftwarelike MiniTool ShadowMaker,
thingsbecome clearandeasy.
SM-Trial
1. Download,install,andopen MiniTool ShadowMakeronyourcomputer. Italsosupportsthe
newestWindows11if you are currentlyrunningthe OS.
2. Go to its mainuserinterface (UI).Clickonthe second Backup tab.
3. There,clickthe Source module andselectthe itemsyouwouldlike toprotect,documents,
pictures,music,videos, apps,etc.Don’tforgettoclickthe OK buttonto save yourselection.
4. Clickthe Destinationmodule andpickup a locationtosave the backupimage,eitherlocal
addresses(internal orexternal) orsharednetworkstorages(NAS).
5. Finally,clickonthe Back up Now buttonto start the process.

3. Alt=MiniTool ShadowMakerbacksupfiles
Wait until the taskfinishesanditwill nottake long.Duringitsoperation,youcandoyour other
business.
Tip: If you plan to undo systemrestorebecauseyou losesome data afterrestoration,you can firstly
try to recoverthe datawitha powerfuldata recovery toolsuch as MiniTool PowerData Recovery.If
thatdoesnot help,you can then continueto undo systemrestoration.
PDR-Trial
How to Undo System Restore Within Windows 11/10?
For thismethod,youhave tolog intoWindowsasan administrator.
1. OpenSystemRestore. Goto Control Panel andchoose the Systemoptioninthe iconview.
2. If you are using Windows10 build20161 and laterWindowsversionsincludingthe newest
Win11, youwill be redirectedtoWindowsSettingsapp.There, inthe defaultSystem>About
page,scroll downto findandselectthe Systemprotectionoption.

4. Alt=selectsystemprotectioninWindows11Settings
If you are runninga systemolderthanWin10build20161, you stay inControl Panel.Justselect
Systemprotection fromthe leftpanel.
3. In the newpop-upwindow,underthe SystemProtectiontab,clickonthe SystemRestore
button.

5. Alt=choose System Restore
4. Next,choose UndoSystemRestore and click Nextto continue.

6. Alt=selectUndoSystemRestore
If you wantto knowwhat itemswill be affectedafterundoingthe systemrestore point,including
the addeditemsafterthe systemrestore (will be moved) andthe deleteditems(will be added
again),justclickon the Scan for affectedprograms option.
5. Click Finishafterconfirmingyourrestore point.

7. Alt=confirmsystemrestore point
6. Click Yesto start the undoingprocess.
Alt=confirmundoingsystemrestore
7. Whenthe processcompletes,clickthe Restartbuttonto rebootyourPC.
8. Once your machine startsup again,signintoyoursystemandclick onthe Close buttonin
the SystemRestore popup.

8. Alt=complete undoingsystemrestore
Undo System Restore at Computer Boot Windows 11/10
Now,let’ssee howtoundoa systemrestore whenbootingupWindows.
1. Boot upyour computerintoadvancedstartupoptions(WinRE).If youbootto Windows
RecoveryEnvironmentfromwithinWindows11or Windows10, you mustbe signedinas an
administratortoundoa systemrestore.If youbootto WindowsRE from a Windows11/10
installationmedia,youdon’tneedanadministratorprivilege toundoasystemrestore.
2. Selectthe Troubleshootoption.
Alt=selectTroubleshootinWinRE
3. Choose the Advancedoptions.
4. Clickon the SystemRestore.

9. 5. If you bootedfromthe currentWindows10/11, youmay needto selectanadministrator
account and provide itscredentials(usernameandpassword).If youbootedbasedon
systeminstallationmedia,selectthe Windows11or Windows10 option.
6. Then,youwill enterthe SystemRestore window.There,click Nexttomove on.
Alt=restore systemfilesandsettings
7. Next,choose the restore pointthathas Undo underitsType column.

10. Alt=restore yourcomputertothe state it wasin before the selectedevent
8. ClickFinishandYes to start the task.
9. Clickthe Restart buttonto rebootyour machine whenthe processfinishes.
10. Whenyousign intoWindows11 afterthe restart,just Close the SystemRestore popup.
Undo System Restore Windows 8/8.1
Next,let’ssee howtoundoa systemrestore inWindows8and Windows8.1.
1. PressWindows+ R to openthe WindowsRunbox.Inputshutdown/r /o /t 00 and press
Enter to enterthe Advancedoptions screen.
2. Selectthe SystemRestore option.
3. Choose UndoSystemRestore.
4. Then,justfollowthe on-screenstepstofinishthe task.
Undo System Restore Windows 7
In MicrosoftWindows7 system,youare able to undo a system restore changes right after it is
finished. Simply, just run System Restore again and choose the Undo option that shows up in the
System Restore window. Then, the system restoration will be removed, and your OS will be re-
restored to the status it was before your last restoration.
1. Search System Restore in from Start menu and open it.
2. Click Undo my last restoration and click Next.
3. Review the task and click Finish.

11. Your computer will restart once the undo is done.
Undo System Restore Windows XP
You can relyon the followingstepstoundo WinXP systemrestore.
1. Close all yourotherrunningprogramsand servicesandsave yourdata,especiallythe
importantfilessince the undoprocesswill restartyourcomputer.
2. Start SystemRestore.Fromthe Start menu,move to All Programs > Accessories> System
Tools > System Restore.
3. SelectUndoMy Last Restoration option.
4. Click Nextto go on.
5. Click Nextand Windowsstartsto undothe changes.
6. Whenit isdone,the PC will rebootandyoushould logintoyourMicrosoftAccountagain.
7. Click OK inthe SystemRestore window.
Now,youwill see thatyouhave gone back to the systemenvironmentbefore restoringWindows.
Tip: As forundoing systemrestorein Vista,thereis no undo command.
Turn on System Protection in Windows 11/10
If you findthe SystemRestore buttonisgreyedoutwhile tryingtoundosystemrestore within
Windows,itisprobablybecause youhaven’tenabledyoursystemprotection! Youcansee the
Protectionstatus isOff inthe below ProtectionSettings section.

12. Alt=SystemProtectiondetails
To turn on the systemprotection, clickonthe Systemitemandselectthe Configure buttonbelow.
Then,choose Turn on system protectionand setup maximumdiskspace usage tomanage the
restore points. Finally,click Apply>OK.
Alt=turnon systemprotection
Then,youcan create yourfirstsystemrestore pointbyclickingthe Create button.

13. Alt=create systemrestore point
Tip: If you wantto turn off thesystemprotection,justgo the sameway and select Disablesystem
protection.
Create System Restore Point by MiniTool ShadowMaker
Besidesdatabackup, MiniTool ShadowMakercanalsoback upOS regularlytocreate a necessary
restore pointforsystemprotection. The belowinstructionsapplytoWindows11,10, 8, 7, XP, Vista.
SM-Trial
1. Launch MiniTool ShadowMaker inWindows11and enteritsmaininterface.
2. Still,move toitsBackuptab.
3. It will automaticallyselectthe system-relateditemsas the backupSource. Justkeepits
selection.
4. Clickon the Destinationmodule todeterminethe image filestorage location.
5. Clickon the Schedule buttoninthe bottomleftcornerto openthe schedule settings
window.
6. Switchon the schedule settingsandpickupa backupfrequencythatsuitsyoumost,daily,
weekly,monthly, oronevent(systemlogonor logoff).

14. Alt=MiniTool ShadowMakerbackupschedule
7. You can furtherchoose backuptype byclickingonthe Scheme button.Switchonthe
scheme settingsandselectabackupscheme, incremental backup,differentialbackup,or
justthe full backup.
8. Moreover,youcan customize the backupimage file usingthe Optionsbutton. Clickonitwill
show youthe settingsyoucanpersonalize.Forexample,
split/compress/comment/encrypt/verify imagefile.
9. Finally,clickonthe Back up Now buttonto beginthe task.
Then,MiniTool ShadowMakerwillautomaticallycreate systemrestore pointsforyoubasedonthe
setschedule.Itwill alsoautomatically delete oldsystemrestore points accordingtothe backup
scheme yousetup.
Perform System Restore with MiniTool ShadowMaker
Since youare able to make systemrestore pointsrelyingonMiniTool ShadowMaker,youcanalso
make use of itto do a systemrestore invariousWindowsOSesincludingbutnotlimitedtoWindows
11 and Windows10.
SM-Trial
1. Launch MiniTool ShadowMakeronyourPC.
2. Go to its Restore tab to findthe targetsystemrestore pointcreationtaskandclickthe
Restore option on it.

15. Alt=findsystembackuptorestore
If you can’t findthe taskthere but youknow where the backupimage issaved,justclickthe Add
Backup optioninthe upperrightand add the targetsystemimage tothislist.
3. Selectabackup versiontorestore.
4. Selectwhich partitions/volumesto restore.All the system-relatedvolumesare selectedby
defaultandyouare recommendedtokeepthe selection.
5. Selectwhere torestore the systemto.Justselectyourcurrentsystemdisk.
6. It will warnyouaboutwhichpartitionswill be overwritten.Click OKto confirmandstart the
restoration.
Wait until itcompletes.
https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/system-restore-did-not-complete-successfully.html
Undo System Restore Using MiniTool ShadowMaker
Of course,youcan undothe systemrestore withthe helpof MiniTool ShadowMaker,butonlyapply
to the restorationsperformedby the tool.If youhave justconducteda systemrecoverytoan earlier
state withMiniTool ShadowMaker,youcanrepeatthe processagainbut to the verylatestsystem
restore point. Then,youcan enjoyyourprevious Windowsenvironmentagain.