Can’t Create a System Restore Point in Windows 11? 3 Ways to Fix

System Restore is supposed to be a safety net. But what if you try to create a restore point in Windows 11, and it just doesn’t work? Maybe the option is greyed out, or you see a cryptic error. Don’t stress—this problem is more common than you might think, and it’s usually easy to fix.

Here are three proven ways to get System Restore working again in Windows 11.

1. Turn On System Protection

First, make sure System Protection is actually enabled. If it’s off, Windows won’t let you create restore points.

How to check:

1. Press Windows + S and type “Restore Point.”
2. Click on Create a restore point from the search results.
3. Under the System Protection tab, select your system drive (usually C:), then click Configure.
4. Make sure Turn on system protection is selected.
5. Adjust the slider to set how much disk space you want to use for restore points. Click Apply and OK.

Try creating a restore point again. If you still have issues, move to the next step.

2. Restart the Volume Shadow Copy Service

System Restore depends on a background service called Volume Shadow Copy. If this service isn’t running, restore points can’t be created.

How to restart it:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Scroll down and find Volume Shadow Copy.
3. Right-click it and select Restart.
4. If it’s not running, right-click and select Start.

Still stuck? Don’t worry—there’s one more fix.

3. Free Up Disk Space

If your drive is almost full, Windows can’t create restore points. You need at least a few hundred megabytes free, but more is better.

To clear space:

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.
2. Use Storage Sense or manually delete unneeded files.
3. Empty the Recycle Bin.

After clearing some space, try to create a restore point again.

Still Not Working?

If you’ve tried all three fixes and still can’t create a restore point, there could be deeper issues—like corrupt system files or third-party antivirus interference. Try running sfc /scannow in Command Prompt, or temporarily disable third-party security software and try again.

Final Thoughts

System Restore is one of those features you only think about when you really need it. Don’t wait until disaster strikes—make sure you can create restore points now. These quick fixes usually solve the issue and get your safety net back in place.

Have you faced issues with System Restore in Windows 11? Let us know in the comments, and share what worked for you!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!