System Protection cannot be enabled


8thHalfHour

Member
Local time
9:04 AM
Posts
3
OS
Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
Hi, all!

I recently noticed that my System Protection is not working correctly since upgrading to Windows 11. I am on the Beta Insiders channel right now, but this hasn't worked since upgrading to Win 11. (I had hoped upgrading to the Beta channel would fix it.)

Description of the issue:

All of my disks claim in the System Protection utility that System Protection is disabled. Upon pressing "Configure" to enable it, the utility crashes (disappears from the screen, and the process stops running).

What I expect to happen:

I am taken to a screen to set the amount of disk space for

What I have tried:

- DISM and SFC (to ensure the filesystem is working appropriately)
- Checking for updates
- Enabling System Protection in Control Panel
- Enabling and configuring System Protection via PowerShell
- Enabling System Protection in Command Prompt from Advanced System Start/Recovery utility

None of it works. Is there a way to repair this utility specifically? (FYI: I am not currently experiencing any other issues with the Win 11 installation that I am aware of. Other Backup/Recovery tools like Folder History are working well.)
 
Windows Build/Version
WIn 11 Pro, 22H2 bld 22621.1

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 8700 @ 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0VDT73 (U3E1)
    Memory
    16.0GB DDR4 Dual-Channel @ 2666 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA High Definition Audio, Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U3419W
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    - 1863GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA200 (SATA)
    - 238GB PC401 NVMe SK hynix 256GB (SSD)
    - 7452GB Western Digital WD Elements 25A3 (USB, SATA)
    - 4657GB Seagate Portable SCSI Disk Device (SATA)
    - 7452GB Seagate Expansion Desk SCSI Disk Device (USB, SATA)
    - 3726GB Seagate Expansion Desk SCSI Disk Device (USB, SATA)
    PSU
    430W or 850 W
    Case
    Alienware Aurora R7
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit
    Browser
    Chrome, Firefox, or Brave
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Try to enable system restore by executing bellow command from Command Prompt that is open with administrative privileges.

Code:
Reg.exe delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore" /v "DisableSR" /f
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
    Motherboard
    Erica6
    Memory
    Micron Technology DDR4-3200 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC671
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster U28E590
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    SAMSUNG MZVLQ1T0HALB-000H1
I will give both suggestions a shot and report back. Thank you for trying to help!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 8700 @ 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0VDT73 (U3E1)
    Memory
    16.0GB DDR4 Dual-Channel @ 2666 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA High Definition Audio, Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U3419W
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    - 1863GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA200 (SATA)
    - 238GB PC401 NVMe SK hynix 256GB (SSD)
    - 7452GB Western Digital WD Elements 25A3 (USB, SATA)
    - 4657GB Seagate Portable SCSI Disk Device (SATA)
    - 7452GB Seagate Expansion Desk SCSI Disk Device (USB, SATA)
    - 3726GB Seagate Expansion Desk SCSI Disk Device (USB, SATA)
    PSU
    430W or 850 W
    Case
    Alienware Aurora R7
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit
    Browser
    Chrome, Firefox, or Brave
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
Those are required for it to work, but note that system restore is not very reliable, it is considered deprecated.
Code:
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore" /v "DisableSR" /f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore" /v "DisableConfig" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SPP\Clients" /v "{09F7EDC5-294E-4180-AF6A-FB0E6A0E9513}" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "1" /f
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\SystemRestore\SR" /Enable
vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /Maxsize=25GB
sc config wbengine start= demand
sc config swprv start= demand
sc config vds start= demand
sc config VSS start= demand
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 5 3600 & No fTPM (07/19)
    Motherboard
    MSI B450 TOMAHAWK 7C02v1E & IFX TPM (07/19)
    Memory
    4x 8GB ADATA XPG GAMMIX D10 DDR4 3200MHz CL16
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon RX 580 ARMOR 8G OC @48FPS (08/19)
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster Z (11/16)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" AOC G2460VQ6 (01/19)
    Screen Resolution
    1920×1080@75Hz & FreeSync (DisplayPort)
    Hard Drives
    ADATA XPG GAMMIX S11 Pro SSD 512GB (07/19)
    PSU
    Seasonic M12II-520 80 Plus Bronze (11/16)
    Case
    Lian Li PC-7NB & 3x Noctua NF-S12A FLX@700rpm (11/16)
    Cooling
    CPU Cooler Noctua NH-U12S@700rpm (07/19)
    Keyboard
    HP Wired Desktop 320K + Rabalux 76017 Parker (01/24)
    Mouse
    Logitech M330 Silent Plus (04/23)
    Internet Speed
    400/40 Mbps via RouterOS (05/21) & TCP Optimizer
    Browser
    Edge (No FB/Google) & Brave for YouTube & LibreWolf for FB
    Antivirus
    NoAV & Binisoft WFC & NextDNS
    Other Info
    Headphones: Sennheiser RS170 (09/10)
    Phone: Samsung Galaxy Xcover 7 (02/24)
All of my disks claim in the System Protection utility that System Protection is disabled. Upon pressing "Configure" to enable it, the utility crashes (disappears from the screen and the process stops running).

....note that system restore is not very reliable, it is considered deprecated.
I agree that system restore can be unreliable, but I don't think MS have officially deprecated it (yet). Anyway, it's available for me, even in 22621.

1654344750651.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
If none of these suggestions work you may have some file corruption going on.
From cmd as admin type sfc /scannow
If system file checker finds anything it can not repair, followup with dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

You can always do a repair install that should resolve the problem. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.

UPDATES

I am unable to update the OP for some reason, so here are the results of my first attempts to fix this from your suggestions. The attempts are divided by usernames.

@glasskuter


Try the suggestions here. Be sure to enable the services associated with system restore mentioned in that article.

#1 - I tried the PowerShell command listed, as I had done before, with the following same result. Maybe it will add more meaning to someone stopping by, though, so I'll include it here.:

1654628505799.png

When investigating the error message, I only found answers related to programming that I was unable to apply to what could be wrong with System Protection. If anyone knows what this could mean, please chime in.

#2 - I checked in on the services the article mentions: Volume Shadow Copy, Task Scheduler, and Microsoft Software Shadow Copy Provider Service are all running. I restarted them just to make sure (though, when I restart my computer, this should be occurring then as well):

1654628516468.png
1654628522741.png
1654628528866.png

If none of these suggestions work you may have some file corruption going on.
From cmd as admin type sfc /scannow
If system file checker finds anything it can not repair, followup with dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

You can always do a repair install that should resolve the problem. Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

I mentioned that I had done this in my OP. I regularly run the process explained here when encountering weirdness like this:

Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

I typically run DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, and when complete, sfc /scannow. No issues are discovered, but I appreciate the idea.

@FreeBooter


Try to enable system restore by executing bellow command from Command Prompt that is open with administrative privileges.

Code:
Reg.exe delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore" /v "DisableSR" /f

Result:

1654628536710.png

@TairikuOkami


Those are required for it to work, but note that system restore is not very reliable, it is considered deprecated.
Code:
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore" /v "DisableSR" /f
reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore" /v "DisableConfig" /f
reg add "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SPP\Clients" /v "{09F7EDC5-294E-4180-AF6A-FB0E6A0E9513}" /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d "1" /f
schtasks /Change /TN "Microsoft\Windows\SystemRestore\SR" /Enable
vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /Maxsize=25GB
sc config wbengine start= demand
sc config swprv start= demand
sc config vds start= demand
sc config VSS start= demand

I tried these and I successfully enabled System Protection on Drive C. However, if I try to reconfigure from the SR tool, it crashes, as before. Also, SP is still not enabled on D:\, G:\, or X:\ drives, and selecting "Configure", crashed the tool as before. Additionally, I am unsure how to manage this or what it means for my system in general that this is not working.

At any rate, here are two screenshots to show what happens (I wasn't able to upload screen captures):

#1 - Targeting the C:\ drive your commands enabled:

a. Select the drive. Press "Configure".

1654629292449.png

b. The little processing disc spins. Then the whole window disappears, without any error or notification.

1654629371491.png

FYI: The exact same thing happens when selecting *any* of the discs.

A few questions:
  1. Which of the commands you gave me enabled SR on my C:\ drive? (I'd like to enabled it on the others, as well.)
  2. Do you have any thoughts on what is causing the interface to crash?



Thank you, all of you. Please review my results and get back to me when possible. I feel like we are getting closer!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 8700 @ 3.20GHz
    Motherboard
    Alienware 0VDT73 (U3E1)
    Memory
    16.0GB DDR4 Dual-Channel @ 2666 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA High Definition Audio, Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    DELL U3419W
    Screen Resolution
    3440x1440
    Hard Drives
    - 1863GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA200 (SATA)
    - 238GB PC401 NVMe SK hynix 256GB (SSD)
    - 7452GB Western Digital WD Elements 25A3 (USB, SATA)
    - 4657GB Seagate Portable SCSI Disk Device (SATA)
    - 7452GB Seagate Expansion Desk SCSI Disk Device (USB, SATA)
    - 3726GB Seagate Expansion Desk SCSI Disk Device (USB, SATA)
    PSU
    430W or 850 W
    Case
    Alienware Aurora R7
    Keyboard
    Logitech MX Keys
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    Gigabit
    Browser
    Chrome, Firefox, or Brave
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender
I agree that system restore can be unreliable, but I don't think MS have officially deprecated it (yet).[/ATTACH]
Interestingly when W10 first came out, MS set the default to "system restore off" unofficially signalling intent that it was not a recommended feature any more but never went as far as officially making it a deprecated feature. After a lot of Insider feedback, they reverted to default being on.

In the end, I found it too unreliable and gave up using it years ago, and use image backups instead. However, if one goes down that route, users need to understand the difference i.e. a system restore is not a full image backup, and if you do a system restore, it does not delete user data made since the last restore point.

With image backups, you can inadvertently end up deleting data made since last image backup. I get round this by the simple expediency of storing data on a different drive not included in my image backups. I, of course, back that up separately.

With Macrium Reflect Home's Rapid Delta Restore and incremental backups, I emulate pretty much what system restore does much more reliably and much faster as well.

To be fair, without RDR (not in Macrium Reflect Free, or any of its competitors), using image backups may be rather slower than System Restore, as you have to restore whole drive but is reliable - so time/benefit trade-off. In the end, (imo) reliability trumps time.

Of course, one can use system restore first, and if ok, great. Otherwise if it craps out, then do an image restore instead.
Only minor issue is (I think) the image backups are larger as you backup the restore points as well - I have not checked this for a long time though so could be wrong on this point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
In the end, I found it too unreliable and gave up using it years ago, and use image backups instead. However, if one goes down that route, users need to understand the difference i.e. a system restore is not a full image backup, and if you do a system restore, it does not delete user data made since the last restore point.

With image backups, you can inadvertently end up deleting data made since last image backup. I get round this by the simple expediency of storing data on a different drive not included in my image backups. I, of course, back that up separately.
System Restore is not a backup. Period. Full or partial. It does not backup personal file and folders. What it does is takes a "snapshot" of the registry and system files to be restored (in the form of a Restore Point) in the event of a bad driver or app issue.

Anyone looking at it as a "backup program" really don't understand it. I use it all the time whenever I install a driver or software package, so that if something goes wrong I can restore the system back to where it was "before" the driver or app install.

The other confusion is people don't realize when a new OS or major update is released the old Restore Points are deleted. This is because they are no longer valid for the new OS.

The only "issue" with System Restore is people not understanding its purpose, and therefore using it in the wrong manner.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
I typically runDISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
You have your sequence out of order. Dism is actually not a tool to be run on a regular basis, but as a followup if sfc /scannow finds corrupt files it can not fix. Then after dism. you can then run SFC /scannow again to make sure it's clean.
(I'd like to enabled it on the others, as well.)
System restore points only contain specific system level files such as DLLs, registry files, drivers, etc. As these are almost always on the %SystemDrive% which by default is the C, including the other drives would be pointless.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 22631.3296
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 +256gb ssd+512 gb usb m.2 sata
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
Interestingly when W10 first came out, MS set the default to "system restore off" unofficially signalling intent that it was not a recommended feature any more but never went as far as officially making it a deprecated feature. After a lot of Insider feedback, they reverted to default being on.

In the end, I found it too unreliable and gave up using it years ago....
It seemed to be most unreliable only for particular builds. 1803, if I recall correctly, was almost 100% unreliable. Strangely, 21H1 (as both W10 and W11) seems completely reliable the few times I've tried it.....
Only minor issue is (I think) the image backups are larger as you backup the restore points as well - I have not checked this for a long time though so could be wrong on this point.
Macrium Reflect excludes all restore points from its system images, precisely for that reason.
Name:RestorePoints
Type:REG_SZ_MULTI
Value:$AllVolumes$\System Volume Information\*{3808876B-C176-4e48-B7AE-04046E6CC752} /s
This entry is essential and ensures that the shadow copy diff area is excluded from images. Without this entry images may become unnecessarily large. Don't worry if the entry isn't there, it will be automatically created when the next image is run.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
It seemed to be most unreliable only for particular builds. 1803, if I recall correctly, was almost 100% unreliable. Strangely, 21H1 (as both W10 and W11) seems completely reliable the few times I've tried it.....

Macrium Reflect excludes all restore points from its system images, precisely for that reason.


Thanks for the clarification on (non) backup of restore points by Macrium Reflect.

TBH I could have worked out Reflect does not backup restore points by following my own general advice i.e. do your own tests first LOL but hey we are all guilty of being a bit lazy now and then (at least I stated I was unsure).

Now I am pondering, purely as an intellectual exercise (and not seeking a reply - a rhetorical question really), how I could backup a restore point if I really wanted to.

I will someday try a full (forensic) backup rather than smart sector backup.

I am also wondering if backing up from WinPE would backup restore points as that does not use VSS.

Ones for testing in the future as I personally have no need to do these as I do not use restore points anyway LOL.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
Now I am pondering, purely as an intellectual exercise (and not seeking a reply - a rhetorical question really), how I could backup a restore point if I really wanted to.
You pose a good question that's got me curious. From what I've heard in the past, and just read, you can't backup restore points. Someone tried it but is didn't seem to work (at least on 10, and presumably 11) as explain here: Can you Backup Restore points or Recover Corrupt Restore Points in Windows 10?

I've not tried it myself (don't feel like messing with permissions), but if you find differently, I'd love to know the answer of how?

Thanks.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.3296)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon VII
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242w (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i RGB Platinum
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Win 10 Pro 22H2 (build 19045.2130)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel i7-7700K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z270X-GAMING 8
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair Dominator Platinum (3333Mhz)
    Graphics card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 Fury
    Sound Card
    Onboard (Creative Sound Blaster certified ZxRi)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U2415 (24 inch)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    3 Samsung SSD drives: 1x 512gig 950 NVMe drive (OS drive), 1 x 512gig 850 Pro, 1x 256gig 840 Pro.
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova 1000 P2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 710
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    This is my backup system.
You pose a good question that's got me curious. From what I've heard in the past, and just read, you can't backup restore points. Someone tried it but is didn't seem to work (at least on 10, and presumably 11) as explain here: Can you Backup Restore points or Recover Corrupt Restore Points in Windows 10?

I've not tried it myself (don't feel like messing with permissions), but if you find differently, I'd love to know the answer of how?

Thanks.
I am guessing here if you do a full sector backup, it might do it.

1654667517192.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
I am also wondering if backing up from WinPE would backup restore points as that does not use VSS.
Ones for testing in the future as I personally have no need to do these as I do not use restore points anyway LOL.
I have no need to do any tests to find out, I routinely back up a PC using WinPE when I first receive it and before doing any work on it. I still have some of those images. Here's one, with its restore points saved in the image.

1654682022688.png
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Lattitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround. In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround. Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.

    My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro (and all my Hyper-V VMs).

    My SYSTEM FOUR is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e 20DA, Celeron N2930, 4GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device: currently running Win10 Pro, plus Win11 Pro RTM and Insider Beta as native boot vhdx.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 4GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus the Insider Beta, Dev, and Canary builds as a native boot .vhdx.

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