System restore did not complete message (It actually did)

murphyslaw · 26 Jun 2017

Hi all,

I just did a system restore and once my PC rebooted I got the message that it hadn't completed successfully (Second image)

I opened the system restore panel to check and see that it actually did complete (First image)

So I'm not sure what to do now?

Reading through some threads here I see it's recommended to disable anti-virus before restoring (I have Trend Micro Maximum Security) and I can try that. However, I now have a working PC (I accidentally deleted a registry key) so should I just leave it alone?

Thanks for any input!

dalchina · 27 Jun 2017

Hi, not heard of that before... so it sounds like the registry at least has been restored. If you know the restore point was very recent and no change had been made in the period from that restore point being created, your risk is very low.

However there are constant background updates going on from universal apps (4 hourly check last I looked) to Windows updates and installed programs etc, so there is some risk.

Unfortunately System Restore gets upset easily; it cannot be relied on. When it works, great. But there has been at least one time when MS changes have given rise to problems for months for a good number. (Error 80070091).

Best have an alternative strategy- granted, it's not the same as it's slower, not triggered in the same way, and reverts data as well... but it's more robust and complete. Disk imaging.. e.g. Macrium Reflect (free) + external storage.

Some people like programs like Rollback RX - but that I have a feeling that may cause problems when upgrades come along.

murphyslaw · 27 Jun 2017

Yes, it was a recent restore so I guess I'll leave it alone for now.
I do have alternative backups if needed, Acronis True Image - Full C Drive on a monthly, weekly and thrice weekly schedule to different drives and a NAS, might seem like overkill but the alternative doesn't bear thinking about!

Bree · 27 Jun 2017

dalchina said:

...there has been at least one time when MS changes have given rise to problems for months for a good number. (Error 80070091)....

...afflicts 1607...

...Best have an alternative strategy- granted, it's not the same as it's slower ... Disk imaging...

TBH, system restore is pretty slow itself. it spends so long on the 'preparing to restore...' screen I wonder if it's ever going to start. IME restoring an image is only marginally slower.