To enable or disable Point-in-time restore in Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Point-in-time restore > View or edit, approve the User Account Control prompt if one appears, and switch the setting. You must be a local administrator to view or change it. Before turning it off, note that Windows stops creating new restore points, but existing ones are not immediately deleted.
What Point-in-time restore does
Point-in-time restore uses automatically created restore points to roll the Windows system drive back to an earlier state. A restore can undo changes to apps, settings, and files made after the selected point. Files stored in cloud services such as OneDrive are not affected. To apply a point, start Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and select Troubleshoot > Point-in-time restore. Microsoft’s Point-in-time restore guidance describes the feature and its settings.
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Turn the setting on or off
- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Point-in-time restore, select View or edit.
- Approve the User Account Control prompt if Windows displays one.
- Switch Point-in-time restore to On or Off.
If the option is unavailable or you cannot edit it, check that you are signed in as a local administrator. The actual setting may also depend on how the device is managed and configured.
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Turning Point-in-time restore off stops Windows from automatically creating new points. Microsoft says existing points remain until they expire or Windows needs the disk space; switching off is not described as an immediate deletion.
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Availability and default settings
Microsoft’s recovery guidance describes Point-in-time restore for Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. Availability is separate from whether the feature is enabled by default, so check the toggle on the device you intend to use.
- Microsoft says the feature is enabled by default on unmanaged devices and is currently disabled by default on IT-managed devices.
- Microsoft says default enablement on IT-managed devices begins with Windows 11 version 26H2. The OS volume must be at least 200 GB for default enablement; a smaller OS volume can still enable the feature manually.
- Microsoft lists an approximately 24-hour default restore-point frequency, retention of up to 72 hours, and a maximum disk usage limit of 2%. It says only Enterprise devices can configure those frequency, retention, and usage-limit settings.
These are operating values stated on Microsoft’s support page; it does not display a publication date. Defaults can vary with device management and configuration, so the Settings toggle is the practical check. See Microsoft’s feature guidance for its current availability and configuration details.
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Before you restore a point
Restoration is a rollback, not a way to selectively undo one app or setting. Review what may change and prepare before confirming:
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- Changes on the system drive made after the chosen point can be lost, including files, app installations, settings, passwords, certificates, and keys.
- Cloud-stored files, including files held in OneDrive, are not affected.
- If BitLocker is enabled, have the recovery key available for WinRE.
- Keep the PC connected to power and do not interrupt the restore. Microsoft warns that powering off during restoration could leave the device unusable.
- A restore may undo recent security updates. Check for and install current updates after Windows starts again.
When System Restore may be a better choice
System Restore is the alternative Microsoft recommends when Point-in-time restore is unavailable or you need a recovery point older than three days. The two tools differ in what they roll back and how their points are created and retained:
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| Decision factor | Point-in-time restore | System Restore |
|---|---|---|
| What it rolls back | Broader system state, including files, apps, and settings | System files and settings; personal files are not affected |
| How points are created | Automatically and regularly | When triggered by events or created manually |
| Retention | Up to 72 hours | Indefinite, subject to disk space |
| Where it is configured or applied | Configured in Settings; applied in WinRE | Available through Control Panel or WinRE |
| When it may fit | A recent, broad rollback when the feature is available | When Point-in-time restore is unavailable or an older point is needed |
Microsoft explains these recovery options in its Windows recovery guidance and System Restore instructions.
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