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<\/p>\nUpdated with more details of how Microsoft is encouraging users to move to Windows 11 with features related to System Restore.<\/p>\n
Microsoft\u2019s Windows 11 creates System Restore points, that is, snapshots of your PC\u2019s system files, settings and registry. But those points expire and are automatically deleted after 60 days, Microsoft has now confirmed. Users can protect themselves by creating regular System Restore points.<\/p>\n
Is this an upgrade or downgrade compared to Windows 10, coming as it does at a time when Microsoft is encouraging users to move from the older OS to the new? More on that below.<\/p>\n
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Windows 11<\/p>\n
NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cWith System Restore you can revert your PC\u2019s state to a previous point in time. This can be particularly useful when troubleshooting issues caused by recent changes, such as software installations, driver updates, or system settings modifications. By using System Restore, you can undo these changes without affecting your personal files, providing a safe way to resolve problems without losing important data,\u201d Microsoft says<\/a>.<\/p>\n Which is great, but those restore points don\u2019t last forever, so it\u2019s important to know exactly how long they are there for. Previous documentation suggested that on Windows 10, restore points could last as long as 90 days.<\/p>\n ForbesMicrosoft\u2019s Urgent New Windows 10 Update Brings Free Feature For All UsersBy David Phelan<\/a><\/p>\n Which suggests that Microsoft\u2019s push to move users from Windows 10 before support stops on Oct. 14 could need some extra help. Which may be why two new campaigns to encourage users have just arrived.<\/p>\n Windows Latest<\/a> reports that \u201cAfter Windows 11\u2019s release in 2021, the retention period has been anywhere between 10 and 90 days (mostly 10 days),\u201d it says. Ten days really isn\u2019t long, but there\u2019s good news.<\/p>\n In a new support document<\/a> relating to the June 10 update, Microsoft is a bit more specific.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter installing the June 2025 Windows security update, Windows 11, version 24H2 will retain system restore points for up to 60 days. To apply a restore point, select Open System Restore. Restore points older than 60 days are not available. This 60-day limit will also apply to future versions of Windows 11, version 24H2,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n In other words, Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 System Restore points will be deleted after 60 days, so you need to periodically create restore points. That\u2019s not as good as 90 days, obviously, but way better than 10 days.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will give you multiple snapshots, but Windows will still delete the oldest ones once they exceed the retention window (now 60 days on Windows 11 24H2 by default),\u201d says Windows Latest.<\/p>\n To create your own System Restore point, as Windows Latest explains, you open Start and search for \u201cCreate a restore point,\u201d which will open System Protection tab in System Properties. Next, under Protection Settings, check that one of the partitions where you\u2019re going to put the backup is protected. Choose that partition and Configure to turn on protection. Then, click Create and follow the onscreen instructions. This will last for 60 days. Now that the deletion date is clear, it seems like creating one every few weeks is good practice.<\/p>\n