Quick Links
While Windows computers are more reliable than ever, it’s still wise to make sure you’ve enabled and understand the built-in recovery options. You’ll then be ready if your PC fails to boot due to system file corruption, malware attack, or hardware failure. Here’s an overview of what they offer, roughly from the least to most intensive.
1Restore From a System Restore Point
System Restore is a Windows recovery feature that lets you restore your computer to an earlier point in time. Whether you made a critical change that caused your system to malfunction or a bad Windows update left your computer unusable, System Restore can undo the changes and get your system back online.
To use restore points, you must first turn on system protection for the installation drive. When enabled, Windows automatically creates a restore point when you install a new app, driver, or Windows update. Additionally, you can also create restore points manually or configure your system to create one daily.
If you haven’t configured system protection yet, follow our easy guide toset up and create a restore point on Windows.
2Use the Startup Repair Function
The startup repair function is a Windows recovery feature that can scan and fix known issues that prevent your computer from starting up. These issues include missing or corrupted system files, incorrect boot sector or Master Boot Record, driver and app conflicts, and malware infection.
To use Startup Repair, firstboot into the Windows Recovery Environment. Once you’re in the Windows Recovery Environment, navigate toAdvanced options. Then, go toTroubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup repair > Restart. Windows will restart and try to repair your computer automatically.
We’ve covered how touse Windows’s recovery environment for file and system repairin more detail.
3Go Back to Your Previous Version of Windows
If your computer is not working properly after a recent update, you may use theGo Backoption to restore it to the previous Windows build. This is a handy feature for early adopters who install the latest Windows updates as they become available, which can sometimes go wrong.
By default, the go-back option is available for 10 days after an update is installed. However, if you frequently need to roll back updates, you canextend the Windows rollback period to 60 daysusing a simple registry tweak.
4Fix Problems Using Windows Update
Fix problems using Windows Updateis the newest recovery option for Windows and theeasiest way to reinstall Windows 11. It allows you to fix system component corruption by reinstalling the current version of Windows—while preserving your apps, documents, and settings.
To access this tool, go toSettings > System > Recovery. Here, locateFix problems using Windows Update, and clickReinstall now. Read the description to make sure you understand what’s going to happen, then clickOKto start the process. After the reinstallation is complete, restart your computer to complete the repair.
5Reset Your PC
An easy way tofactory reset your Windows computeris by using theReset this PCoption in theSettingsapp. As the name suggests, this will reinstall Windows to restore your computer to its factory default, removing all the apps that didn’t come with the system. However, you do have an option to keep your personal files and settings during the process.
But when is a reset appropriate? You can use reset if your computer is not working correctly, to fix performance issues, or if you simply want to start fresh without the hassle of a clean install. Because it’s the most invasive option, you shouldn’t use it unless the above failed to fix the problem.
To reset your PC:
6Create a Recovery Drive to Restore or Recover Your PC
The above options cover most mishaps, but if Windows has a catastrophic failure, you obviously can’t access those tolls within the OS. This is where the recovery drive comes in handy. It’s a backup option that consists of a copy of your Windows environment, including troubleshooting tools and system files necessary to reinstall Windows if needed.
To create a recovery drive:
To use the recovery drive, connect the USB drive to your computer and restart it. Windows will try to boot from the recovery drive into the recovery environment (you canmanually boot from USBif not).
From there, you may choose advanced repair options we discussed earlier, such as startup repair, going back to the previous build, and performing a system restore. If all else fails, you can perform a reset to reinstall Windows.
7Use Installation Media to Reinstall Windows 11
If all other recovery methods fail, you can reinstall Windows using a USB installation media. A clean install will remove all your data from the installation drive, including apps, settings, and personal files.
Toclean install Windows 11, you need a bootable USB drive. Then, you can boot from the newly created installation media and continue with the installation.
While Windows offers many recovery solutions to recover from crashes, malware attacks, and hardware failures, it’s important toproperly back up your PCto safeguard your data. These backup strategies include creating a full system image backup andcloning a hard drive on Windowsthat you can restore even after a major hardware failure.
