How to Use Point-in-Time Restore in Windows 11

On supported Windows 11 builds, Point-in-Time Restore is available, a recovery feature that is more comprehensive than traditional System Restore. It can roll the PC back to a recent snapshot that includes personal files, installed apps, and settings.

How is it different from System Restore?

Traditional System Restore mainly rolls back system files, registry settings, drivers, and installed software state. Point-in-Time Restore rolls back the broader PC state captured in its snapshot, including personal files.

That makes it useful after a bad update, software installation, configuration change, or other recent problem—but it also means files created or changed after the selected snapshot can be lost.

Availability

Microsoft’s current documentation describes preview restoration behavior. Availability depends on your installed build and rollout; do not assume every Windows 11 PC has it. Check Settings > System > Recovery for Point-in-time restore. Microsoft documents default enablement on eligible unmanaged Home and Pro devices with an OS volume of at least 200 GB; smaller volumes can be enabled manually when the feature is available.

Restore points are designed to cover a short recovery window, typically up to about 72 hours.

How to restore the PC

Open Windows Recovery Environment.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Point-in-time restore.
Enter the BitLocker recovery key if the encrypted drive requires it.
Choose an available restore point.
Review the time and the changes that will be rolled back.
Start the restore and allow the PC to restart.

Before you use it

Copy any newly created or recently changed files to external storage if Windows still starts. Point-in-Time Restore is intentionally designed to return the machine to an earlier full state.

If you only need to reverse a driver or application change without touching recent documents, traditional System Restore may be the better choice.

When it is most useful

Use Point-in-Time Restore when a serious problem appeared recently and you want a fast, broad rollback. For older problems, missing snapshots, or complete storage failure, use the other Windows recovery and backup options instead.