How to Retrieve Files from System Restore Points in Windows 10/11

Understanding System Restore Points

In the world of Windows operating systems, System Restore Points, often referred to as Shadow Copies, serve a crucial purpose. These restore points capture the state of the system at specific moments, including all files and applications present during creation. There may come a time when you need to access a missing file, and knowing how to recover it from a System Restore Point can be invaluable. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to recover files from System Restore Points in Windows 10 and 11.

Utilizing Shadow Explorer for Recovery

Windows does not provide a built-in method to directly access or browse these shadow copies or restore points. Therefore, we recommend using third-party software called Shadow Explorer. This utility facilitates the reading of all System Restore Points and allows users to view the files contained within each snapshot.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Shadow Explorer

1. Download and Install Shadow Explorer
   Start by downloading Shadow Explorer from its official site. After completing the installation, launch the application, which will automatically detect and display the shadow copies on your primary drive.

2. Navigating the Interface
   Once the program is open, use the dropdown menu in the top-left corner to select the desired drive. Adjacent to this, you’ll see another dropdown labeled System Restore, which lists all available restore points.

3. Select the Restore Point
   For example, if you see C along with a timestamp like 4/21/2021 12:19:57 PM, this indicates when that particular restore point was created.

4. Adjust the View Settings
   On the top-right side, there’s an additional dropdown to modify your viewing preferences. Files can be displayed in various formats including:

   • Details
   • List
   • Large Icons
   • Small Icons

5. Locate Your Missing File
   Navigate to the folder where your desired file was stored. Confirm that the selected view presents the files clearly; for instance, choosing Details can provide more concise information.

6. Exporting the File
   To recover a file, right-click it and select Export. You will then be prompted to choose where to save the file. Depending on the file size, this may take a while, and if a file with the same name already exists, you’ll be asked whether you want to overwrite it.

Important Considerations

It is worth noting that some files may generate an error during the copy process. This typically occurs if those files were in a locked state or were not permitted to be copied at the time the restore point was created.

Additionally, you can initiate System Restore directly from Shadow Explorer through the menu: File > Configure System Protection. This option enables you to create a restore point swiftly if one is not already established.

Versions of Shadow Explorer

Shadow Explorer comes in two formats:

• Installer Version: Recommended for regular use.
• Portable Version: Ideal for one-time recovery attempts.

Keep in mind that if you utilize TrueCrypt, you may encounter issues with Shadow Explorer. To resolve this, mount your TrueCrypt volumes as removable media via the Settings menu under Preferences.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you should now be able to recover files from System Restore Points effectively in Windows 10 and 11. Whether you are dealing with accidental deletions or files that have mysteriously vanished, having the knowledge to retrieve them can prove to be a valuable asset in any Windows user’s toolkit.