By Rebecca Albert 
If you encounter errors on Windows 11 such as missing DLLs and system files, crashes, and unexpected restarts, the built-in System Restore feature is an ideal solution. It restores all Windows user settings to an earlier point in time. But what can you do if the System Restore Windows 11 not working error occurs?
This happened to me after a routine windows update. There can be numerous error messages, but sometimes the utility doesn’t open at all. One comm error message reads:
System Restore was not completed successfully. Your computer’s system files and settings were not changed.
Below you can read how this happens and the easiest ways to solve it.
Why does the Windows 11 System Restore error occur?
There are many reasons why System Restore might not work for you. A common problem is that you don’t have any scheduled restore points in the first place. That means there are no restore points to load. Other common reasons include:
Failed Windows Updates – If a Windows update fails or is canceled halfway, it can damage the system and render the System Restore utility unusable.
Malware – Advanced malware and viruses target important Windows functions to make it more difficult to repair your computer.
System corruption – Whether you’ve experienced a power outage, problems with the Windows registry, or a malfunctioning hardware component, this can lead to corruption of important system files associated with System Restore.
Lack of storage space – If there is insufficient storage space, System Restore may fail because it needs to load the previous restore point. This can take up a lot of space, while the current system remains intact during the process.
You have upgraded the operating system – If you recently upgraded your Windows operating system from an older version to Windows 11, System Restore will not work because the back-end is different.
Overactive antivirus – When an antivirus program is particularly strict, it will monitor changes to system files, which can interfere with System Restore. This is because it is trying to prevent unauthorized access to system files. A comm error message in this scenario reads:
System Restore could not access a file. This is probably because you have an antivirus program running on your computer.
How to Fix System Restore When It’s Broken on Windows 11
For future benefit, it is always wise to ensure that System Restore is enabled and scheduled to create restore points regularly. That way, you can use it effectively in the future. Also, remove any large files that may cause a low hard drive space error during the restore.
The following solutions can help you get System Restore working again in Windows 11 and repair corrupted system files.
1. Temporarily disable your antivirus program
If an overactive antivirus program is the problem, it is perfectly safe to temporarily disable it as long as you first run a full system scan to remove any real malware that could be causing the problem.
2. Scan for malware
Using both the built-in Windows Virus and threat protection and a reliable third-party antivirus program, run a full system scan to remove any malware or viruses that might be targeting System Restore,
1. In the search bar of the start menu, type Virus and select the Virus and threat protection result.
2. To perform a full system scan, click Scan options under the Virus & threat protection section and select Full scan.
3. Click Scan Now and wait for the process to complete.
4. View the results and try System Restore again.
3. Run Windows Update
When a Windows update fails, it can cause all sorts of problems, including stopping System Restore. Check for updates again and you should be able to resume the update and resolve the issue.
1. Open the Start menu, search for Windows updateand open the link.
2. In the Windows Update window, click the Check for updates button or resume a failed update.
3. Wait for the automatic process to complete and Your PC may restart.
3. Use Fortect to repair Windows
Fortect is a comprehensive Windows repair utility that scans and replaces missing system files, while also fixing other errors.
1. Download and install Fortect on your computer.
2. Open the program and perform a scan.
3. When it’s done, Click on Start Repair and it automatically replaces missing system files from the current repository of clean Windows components.
Fortect also repairs the Windows registry, which allows the system to find system files that are still on your computer, but whose registry entries have been lost. As a result, Windows can no longer find and use them.
5. Run Windows SFC and DISM
The System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Imaging Service and Management (DISM) utilities locate and repair damaged or missing system files.
1. Type CMD in the search bar of the start menu to Command Prompt and choose to run as administrator.
2. In the black window, type sfc /scannow And press enter.
3. After the scan the following will appear: Windows found and successfully repaired corrupt files or Windows found no integrity violations.
4. Open the Command Prompt again and type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restore Health And press enter.
3. Wait for completion and your PC will reboot.
Final Thoughts on System Restore Not Working on Windows 11
If the System Restore feature on Windows 11 isn’t working, it can be very frustrating, especially if you need your computer for work and other important tasks. Fortunately, the problem is easy to fix if you know how.
If an overactive antivirus or malware itself is the culprit, you’re already halfway to fixing it. Repairing the damage with built-in utilities like SFC or DISM can help, but a tool like Fortect is the solution if these fail. Additionally, Fortect repairs the registry, helps detect potentially unwanted programs, and removes junk files that may be taking up hard drive space.