Windows 8 has a utility called System Restore, which allows you to bring your computer back in time to a precise point where it was working properly. When the system makes changes, your computer automatically creates restore points, but you can also create them manually whenever you make changes to your computer. If for some reason you are unable to create restore points, you can try several solutions to fix the problem.
Steps
Step 1. Squeeze
⊞ Win + S to open the search tool You can also open the Charms sidebar (swipe on the right side of the touchscreen or move your mouse to the top right corner of the window), then select "Search".
If you are on the start screen, just type "Search"; There is no need to open the search tool
Step 2. Type "Restore Point" and select "Create a Restore Point" from the list
System Protection, the "System Properties" window tab will open.
Step 3. Click on the button
Create … to start the process of creating a restore point
Step 4. Enter a description of the new restore point
Add any necessary details that remind you why you created that restore point. Include recently installed programs and any system changes you have made or are about to make.
Step 5. Click on
Create to create the restore point.
The computer will start creating the restore point. This will take a minute or so. As soon as the restore point has been created, click Close.
Step 6. Use your new restore point to perform a system restore
Once you have created the restore point, you can use it to perform a system restore. In the System Protection tab of the "System Properties" window, click System Restore… to open the System Restore utility. In the list of available restore points, the point you just created should appear. The "type" column will indicate "manual" for all manually created restore points.
Troubleshooting
Step 1. Try to create a restore point in safe mode
A faulty driver or malware can prevent the system from creating new restore points. You can try to create them in safe mode.
- Open the Charms sidebar, select "Settings" and "Change computer settings".
- Select "Update and Repair", then "Reset".
- Click Restart now. The computer will restart and the "Advanced Startup" menu will appear.
- Click "Troubleshoot" → "Advanced Options" → "Startup Settings" → Restart.
- Press F4 after the computer restarts in the "Startup Settings" menu. Doing so will start your computer in safe mode. Try creating restore points using the same method as above.
Step 2. Make sure system protection is enabled for all important drives on your computer
By default, the system protection of the Windows installation is enabled. If you have disabled system protection of drive C: you will not be able to create the restore point.
- Follow the steps above to open the System Protection tab in the "System Properties" window.
- Select your Windows drive (usually C:) from the list of drives available in the "Security Settings" section.
- Click Configure… and make sure "Turn on system protection" is enabled.
Step 3. Check if you have enough space
The hard drive must have enough free space to create restore points. In the system protection configuration window (see the previous step), there is a slider that adjusts the amount of hard disk space that should be reserved for restore points, as well as the current usage.
- If your current usage equals maximum usage, you can't create new restore points unless you delete the old ones first. Click the Delete key to delete all old restore points.
- If your hard drive has no free space available, you won't be able to create new restore points. To free up space, uninstall any old programs you no longer use, empty the Downloads folder and run the "Disk Cleanup" utility. In general, it is recommended to leave at least 15-25% of free space always available.
Step 4. Uninstall ASRock XFast USB
This is a more specific operation, but this utility and driver are known to prevent the creation of system restore points. You can uninstall them from the control panel by entering the "Programs and Features" menu.
Step 5. Perform a system update
Windows 8 includes an update feature that allows you to restore system files without deleting personal files. This will allow the System Recovery Service to work again.
- The system update reinstalls Windows leaving all your personal files and settings intact. The applications you downloaded from the Windows store also remain unaffected, but it can delete other programs.
- Open the Charms sidebar, select "Settings", then go to "Change computer settings".
- Select "Update and Repair" and then "Reset".
- Click on the button Start in the "Update your computer…" section.
- Insert the Windows 8 installation disc if prompted.
