System Restore Error: Did Not Complete Successfully – Fix

When does this error happen?

You click 'System Restore' to go back to a good point. The bar fills up to 99%. Then you see: 'System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer's system files and settings were not changed.' You restart, and nothing changed. The error code is usually 0x80070005 or 0x80042302.

This happens most often after a failed Windows update, a driver install that went wrong, or a malware cleanup that messed up permissions. I've seen it on Windows 10, 11, and even Windows 7 machines after a forced shutdown.

What causes it?

The root cause is simple: Windows can't write the old system files back because something blocks it. Two main reasons:

• Permission issues: Some file or folder inside the System Volume Information folder got corrupted or has wrong ownership.
• Disk space: The restore process needs extra space to unpack the backup. If your drive has less than 1GB free, it fails.

Also, antivirus software can interfere. I've seen Norton and McAfee lock restore files mid-process. Turn them off before you start.

Fix 1: Free up disk space (fast check)

1. Open File Explorer. Right-click your C: drive, then click Properties.
2. Look at 'Free space'. If it's under 2GB, you need more room.
3. Run Disk Cleanup: press Windows key + R, type cleanmgr, hit Enter.
4. Select C: drive, click OK. After scanning, click 'Clean up system files'.
5. Check boxes for 'Temporary Windows installation files' and 'Delivery Optimization Files'. Click OK.
6. After it finishes, you should have at least 5GB free. Retry System Restore.

What to expect: If space was the issue, the restore will complete now. If not, move to Fix 2.

Fix 2: Run SFC and DISM first

Corrupted system files can break restore. Run these commands in an admin command prompt:

1. Press Windows key, type cmd, right-click 'Command Prompt', choose 'Run as administrator'.
2. Type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait. It takes 10–20 minutes.
3. After it finishes, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. Wait again – this can take 30 minutes.
4. Restart your PC. Try System Restore again.

What to expect: SFC fixes file corruption. DISM fixes the image Windows uses. If either found errors, the restore might work now.

Fix 3: Reset permissions on System Volume Information (advanced)

This folder is hidden and protected. You have to take ownership first. Be careful – messing this up can break other things.

1. Open an admin command prompt (like Fix 2).
2. Type takeown /f "C:\System Volume Information" /r /d y and press Enter. This gives your account ownership of everything inside.
3. Now type icacls "C:\System Volume Information" /grant %username%:F /t and press Enter. This gives you full control.
4. Close the command prompt. Try System Restore again.

What to expect: After this, Windows can write files again. The restore should finish. If you still get the error, move to Fix 4.

Fix 4: Disable antivirus and third-party backup tools

Some programs lock system files during restore. Common offenders: Norton, McAfee, Malwarebytes, Acronis True Image.

1. Right-click your antivirus icon in the system tray (near the clock).
2. Choose 'Disable' or 'Pause protection'. Pick a long option like 'Disable until restart'.
3. If you have a backup tool like Acronis, close it completely. Don't just minimize – right-click and exit.
4. Now try System Restore.

What to expect: If the restore completes with the antivirus off, you found the culprit. Keep it disabled until the restore finishes. After restart, turn it back on.

Fix 5: Run System Restore from Safe Mode

Safe Mode loads only the bare minimum drivers and services. This avoids conflicts from third-party software.

1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to Update & Security > Recovery.
2. Under 'Advanced startup', click Restart now.
3. When the blue screen appears, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
4. Your PC restarts. Press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode.
5. Once in Safe Mode, press Windows key + R, type rstrui, hit Enter.
6. Choose a restore point from before the problem started. Click Next, then Finish.

What to expect: Safe Mode gives you the cleanest environment. If it still fails here, the restore point itself is broken. You might need a different restore point or a repair install of Windows.

If it still fails

If none of these work, your restore point is probably corrupt. You have a few options:

• Try an older restore point. Pick one from a week or two earlier.
• Do a startup repair. Boot from a Windows USB, choose 'Repair your computer', then 'Startup Repair'.
• Reset this PC. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > 'Reset this PC'. Choose 'Keep my files' – it reinstalls Windows but keeps your documents.

I've seen a lot of people waste hours on this. The real fix is usually Fix 3 (permissions) or Fix 5 (Safe Mode). Try those first. Good luck.