• Open the Windows Services app, select Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider and Volume Shadow Copy services, and set their Startup type to Automatic.
  • Boot Windows 11 in safe mode and run the System Restore.

Basic Fixes

  • Launch System Restore from Terminal : Open the Power User Menu using the Windows + X shortcut and select Terminal to open it. Type rstrui.exe and press Enter.
  • Switch the System Restore point : Pick a different restore point in the System Restore wizard.
  • Disable Windows Security temporarily : Open Windows Security from the Search Menu > select Virus & threat protection > click Manage settings > toggle off Real-time protection.

Fix 1: Modify the Shadow Copy Windows Service

Windows Shadow Copy services are crucial to launching System Restore on Windows 11. To automate their action, configure them manually using the Services app.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R shortcut to open the Run dialog, type services.msc , and press Enter .

1 Open Services on Windows 11 9 - 1

Step 2: Locate Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider in the list and double-click to configure it.

2 Windows Services App - 2

Step 3: Set its Startup type to Automatic , click Apply , and select OK to save changes.

3 Change Startup Type for Windows Service 1 - 3

Step 4: Repeat the steps for the Volume Shadow Copy service. Reboot PC and re-launch System Restore.

4 Modify Windows Service - 4

Fix 2: Perform System Restore in Safe Mode

Sometimes, System Restore fails to work on Windows 11 due to third-party software conflicts. Reboot your PC in the safe mode and perform a system restore.

Step 1: Launch the Run dialog (using the Windows + R shortcut), type msconfig , and hit Enter .

5 Open System Configuration on Windows 11 - 5

Step 2: Switch to the Boot tab, enable Safe boot under Boot options, and click Apply , followed by OK .

6 Safe Mode Configuration - 6

Step 3: Select Restart to boot your PC in safe mode. Once it boots up, open the System Restore wizard.

8 Restart Windows into Safe Mode - 7

Fix 3: Run the CHKDSK Utility

The System Restore utility might fail to work if there’s an issue with your hard drive (e.g., corruption or bad sectors). To fix it, run the Check Disk (CHKDSK) utility to repair the hard drive and retry opening System Restore.

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Power User Menu and select Terminal (Admin) .

9 Open Terminal Admin on Windows 11 13 - 8

Step 2: Copy-paste the following command into the console and press Enter . Launch the System Restore utility once the scan completes.

chkdsk c: /r /scan /perf
11 Running Check Disk Utility - 9

Fix 4: Run SFC and DISM Scans

Corrupt system files are a common culprit behind System Restore not working properly on Windows 11. Run the SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) scans to repair the system image.

Step 1: Press the Windows key , search Terminal , and right-click to select Run as administrator .

12 Open Terminal as Admin 2 - 10

Step 2: Approve the UAC prompt, type sfc /scannow in the console, and press Enter .

14 SFC Scan on Windows 11 1 - 11

Step 3: Finally, execute the following DISM commands sequentially, reboot your PC, and re-run System Restore.

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
15 DISM Scan on Windows 11 8 - 12

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