How to Start System Restore From the Command Prompt

System Restore is a great utility to help "roll back" Windows to an earlier state, undoing any system changes that may have caused an issue.

Sometimes, however, a problem is so bad that your computer won't start normally, meaning you can't run System Restore from inside Windows. Since System Restore is a such a great tool to use to fix problems just like this, it seems you're in a bit of a catch-22.

Fortunately, even if all you can do is start in Safe Mode and access Command Prompt, you can start the System Restore utility by executing a simple command. Even if you're just looking for a quick way to start System Restore from the Run dialog box, this knowledge might come in handy.

It'll take you less than a minute to execute the System Restore command, and, in total, probably less than 30 minutes for the whole process to complete.

The System Restore command is the same in all versions of Windows, so these easy instructions apply equally to Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP:

As we already mentioned, the System Restore tool is called rstrui.exe. This tool is included with a Windows installation and is located in this folder:

C:\Windows\System32\rstrui.exe

If you find another file on your computer that's called rstrui.exe, it's more than likely a malicious program that's trying to trick you into thinking it's the System Restore utility provided by Windows. Such a scenario may take place if the computer has a virus.

Do not use any program that's pretending to be System Restore. Even if it looks like the real thing, it's probably going to demand that you pay to restore your files or prompt you with an offer to purchase something else in order to even open the program.

If you're digging around folders on your computer to find the System Restore program (which you shouldn't have to do), and end up seeing more than one rstrui.exe file, always use the one in the ​System32 location mentioned above.

Also take note of the filename. Fake System Restore programs might use slight misspellings to make you think they're the real thing. One example would be replacing the letter i with a lowercase L, like rstrul.exe, or adding/removing a letter (e.g., restrui.exe or rstri.exe).

Since there shouldn't be random files named rstrui.exe masquerading as the System Restore utility, it'd also be wise to make sure your antivirus software is updated. Also, see these free on-demand virus scanners if you're looking for a quick way to run a scan.