Enhance Windows 11: Restore Full Folder Thumbnails with FolderThumbnailFix

In case you missed it: For a broader discussion on Windows 11’s nuanced updates and transformations, check out our detailed article Windows 11: A Nostalgic Yet Controversial Transformation.

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Why Increase Your System Restore Frequency?​

• Enhanced Recovery Options: More restore points mean more opportunities to revert to a known good state.
• Peace of Mind: You’re better prepared for unexpected issues, whether it’s an update gone wrong or a problematic software install.
• Minimal Performance Impact: Contrary to what some might think, creating additional restore points does not slow down your PC—it mainly uses a bit of disk space.

The Registry Tweak: Step-by-Step Guide​

Step 1: Open the Registry Editor​

• Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
• Type regedit and hit Enter.
• Grant administrator permissions if prompted.

Step 2: Navigate to the System Restore Key​

• In the Registry Editor, go to:
  
  Code:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore

Step 3: Modify the Restore Point Creation Frequency​

• Look for a value named SystemRestorePointCreationFrequency.
• If it doesn’t exist:
• Right-click on an empty area in the right pane.
• Select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
• Name it SystemRestorePointCreationFrequency.
• Double-click the newly created (or existing) value.
• Set its value to 0. (Setting it to 0 removes the once-per-day restriction, allowing Windows to create a restore point whenever a major change occurs.)

Step 4: Reboot Your System​

• Restart your PC to apply the changes effectively.

Summary of Registry Changes:​

• Key Path:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore
• Value Name:
  SystemRestorePointCreationFrequency
• Value Data:
  Set to 0 to enable unlimited restore point creation frequency.

Automating Restore Point Creation with Task Scheduler​

Setting Up a Scheduled Task:​

• Open Task Scheduler:
• Press Win + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter.
• Create a New Task:
• In the right pane, select Create Task.
• Name it something memorable (e.g., "Automated System Restore").
• Configure the Trigger:
• Set the frequency at which you want a restore point to be created (e.g., every day or before major system changes).
• Define the Action:
• Under the Actions tab, choose New.
• In the Program/script field, enter:
  
  Code:

  powershell.exe

• In the Add arguments field, paste the command:
  
  Code:

  -Command "Checkpoint-Computer -Description 'Automatic Restore Point' -RestorePointType 'MODIFY_SETTINGS'"

• Save and Test the Task:
• Save your new task and run it manually to ensure it works as expected.

Benefits of Task Scheduler:​

• Customizable Frequency: Choose any interval that suits your workflow.
• Hands-Free Operation: Automate restore point creation without manual intervention.

Considerations and Potential Trade-offs​

• Disk Space Usage: More frequent restore points mean more data will be stored. Monitor your available disk space, especially if you’re using a system drive with limited capacity.
• Maintenance: Over time, accumulation of old restore points may require manual cleanup. Windows manages space typically, but it never hurts to keep an eye on it.
• Performance Impact: As noted, the process of creating restore points is designed to be lightweight. However, an extremely large number may occasionally cause minor lags when disk space is nearly full.

Expert Analysis: A Balanced Perspective​

Conclusion​