System Restore is a useful feature in Windows 10 that allows you to revert your system files and settings to a previous state, in case of issues caused by a recent change or installation. However, sometimes System Restore may fail to complete successfully, often accompanied by an error code like 0x8000ffff.
If you encounter a System Restore failure in Windows 10, don’t panic. There are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue and successfully restore your system. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of diagnosing and fixing a failed System Restore, so you can get your computer back to a stable state.
Possible Reasons for System Restore Failure
Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand the potential causes of a System Restore failure. Several factors can contribute to this issue, including:
File corruption
Anti-malware software interference
Configuration issues
Lack of storage space
Hardware problems
Encrypted files in the restore point
Knowing the underlying reasons can help you choose the most appropriate troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Failed System Restore
Here are the steps you can follow to fix a failed System Restore in Windows 10:
Choose a different restore point: If the restore point you selected is corrupted or incompatible, try using a different restore point. Follow these steps to select a new restore point and retry the System Restore process:
Open the Start menu and type “System Restore” in the search box.
Right-click on “System Restore” and select “Run as administrator”.
In the System Restore dialog box, click “Next”.
Select a different restore point and click “Next”.
Follow the prompts to complete the System Restore process.
Disable anti-malware software: If your anti-malware software is interfering with System Restore, try temporarily disabling it and then running System Restore again. Make sure to re-enable the software after the restore process is complete.
Run System Restore in Safe Mode: If the System Restore process fails repeatedly, try running it in Safe Mode. Here’s how:
Press Win R to launch the Run dialog box.
Type “msconfig” in the Run dialog box and press Enter.
In the System Configuration window, go to the “Boot” tab.
Select “Safe boot” and choose “Minimal” under “Boot options”.
Click “OK” and restart your computer.
Once in Safe Mode, repeat the System Restore process.
Run an SFC scan: Corruption in system files can interfere with System Restore. Running an SFC (System File Checker) scan can help identify and replace corrupted files:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to complete and follow the instructions to resolve any issues found.
Reset/Refresh your PC: If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you can try resetting or refreshing your PC. This process will reinstall Windows while keeping your personal files intact. Here’s how:
Open the Start menu and click on the Settings icon.
Go to “Update & Security” > “Recovery”.
Under “Reset This PC”, select “Get started”.
Choose whether to keep your files or remove everything, depending on your preference.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
Boot into Windows RE and run System Restore: If the issue is related to encrypted files in the restore point, you can try booting into Windows RE (Recovery Environment) and running System Restore from there:
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type “reagentc /boottore” and press Enter.
Restart your computer.
In Windows RE, go to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “System Restore”.
Follow the prompts to run System Restore in the Windows RE environment.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the failed System Restore issue in Windows 10. If the problem persists, it’s recommended to contact Microsoft Support or seek assistance from a professional technician.
Remember, System Restore is a powerful tool, but it’s not infallible. It’s always a good idea to create regular backups of your important data, so you have a safety net in case of any system failures or data loss.