Windows 11 24H2 Update Cuts System Restore from 90 to 60 Days: What You Need to Know

Every Windows user knows the sting of an unexpected crash, failed update, or driver disaster—one minute your device is humming along, the next it’s gripped by instability. For years, System Restore has been a crucial lifeline for getting things back on track, letting users roll back their systems to a happier, healthier state. But a quiet, sweeping change arriving with Windows 11 24H2 threatens to make this critical safety net less forgiving—and the implications could ripple across millions of PCs.

The Shrinking Lifeline: From 90 to 60 Days​

System Restore in Windows has long been a dependable safeguard. When enabled, it silently takes periodic snapshots of crucial system files, the registry, and installed applications. If something goes wrong—like a botched driver installation or an app running amok—you could simply roll back to any of your saved restore points. But starting with the major Windows 11 24H2 update (rolling out with the June 2025 security patch), Microsoft is officially shortening the life of those restore points: from 90 days down to 60.
Confirmed in a Microsoft support document, the policy is now clear: "After installing the June 2025 Windows security update, Windows 11, version 24H2 will retain system restore points for up to 60 days. This 60-day limit will also apply to future versions". This means any restore point older than two months is automatically wiped, reducing your window to catch and fix problems. This isn’t just a theoretical headache—it changes how every Windows user should approach their backup and disaster prep.
Prior to this update, users had a generous three months to diagnose issues, experiment with new software, or track down the cause of creeping system instability. Now, missing the two-month window for revert means System Restore will no longer save the day: your only option might be a full-blown reset or advanced troubleshooting. This fundamental change deserves careful scrutiny.

Why the Change? Microsoft’s Rationale—And Its Risks​

Microsoft hasn’t offered a very detailed public rationale. One likely reason is disk space management. Restore points consume disk space—sometimes several gigabytes—especially on systems with large system volumes. By reducing the retention period, Microsoft can reclaim more disk space, preventing storage from ballooning with obsolete snapshots. There’s also precedent: Microsoft has often tweaked how aggressively Windows prunes these backups, citing evolving needs for disk use versus fault recovery.
However, reducing the safety net has potential downsides. Complex system failures, malware, and subtle software conflicts often take time to surface. Users who aren't vigilant, or who don't realize a critical issue was caused by a change several weeks back, may try to recover only to discover their last valid restore point is gone. Professionals managing multiple PCs and non-technical users alike could be caught off guard, with fewer easy options for non-destructive recovery.
Security is another angle. There are instances where malware can leverage old restore points to persist or reinfect systems. By aging out restore points faster, Microsoft could be attempting to limit one avenue of attack. It’s an arguable benefit, but weighs against the real-world utility of longer restore horizons.

The Unspoken Problem: System Restore Isn’t Always Reliable​

For all their potential, System Restore points are not infallible. Numerous reports—and Microsoft’s own documentation—acknowledge that restore points can disappear early, particularly after major updates, disk cleanup operations, or when disk quotas are reached. Windows Latest notes that some System Restore points have vanished after just 10 days in past versions, well short of the promised lifespan.
Inconsistent retention makes planning and disaster prep even more challenging. While the move to a fixed 60-day policy may address some unpredictability (restore points will survive at least two months instead of vanishing arbitrarily), the reduced horizon still makes quick action and disciplined backup practices more essential than ever.

How to Check and Optimize Your System Restore Usage​

Given this changing landscape, every Windows 11 user should reassess how they use System Restore. Here’s an up-to-date, step-by-step guide—with some critical tips to maximize your protection:

• Enable System Restore: It’s off by default on many Windows 11 installs.
• Open the Start menu, type “Create a restore point”, and launch the matching Control Panel result.
• Under the System Protection tab, select your system drive and click “Configure”.
• Choose “Turn on system protection” and set the disk space slider. Consider dedicating at least 5-10GB for frequent rollback options.
• Create a Manual Restore Point: Before making system changes (like big updates, driver installs, registry tweaks), click “Create” in the System Protection window. Add a descriptive label.
• Check Restore Point Status: Take a few moments each month to verify existing restore points. System updates and disk cleanup tools may quietly delete them.
• Monitor System Restore Health: Restore points are only useful if they work. Test the process:
• From the System Restore window, try launching a “System Restore” and step through the menus (without confirming) to see available restore points.
• Note any missing or unexpectedly old entries.
• Supplement with Regular Image Backups: Use Windows Backup, File History, or one of the best cloud backup services to create complete system snapshots. System Restore only protects key system files and registry entries—it will not recover your personal documents or many types of installed software. Consider third-party tools (Macrium Reflect, Acronis, etc.) for robust, regularly scheduled image-based backups.

System Restore vs Cloud Backup: What’s Really Protected?​

A common misconception is that System Restore is a full “backup” tool. This isn’t the case. Here’s a clear rundown:

Feature	System Restore	Cloud Backup	Image Backup (3rd Party)
Recovers system settings	Yes	No	Yes
Recovers personal files	No	Yes	Yes
Recovers applications	Partially	No (files only)	Yes
Recovers from ransomware	Sometimes	Yes (if versioned)	Yes
Storage location	Local disk	Cloud/remote	Local or external
Prone to being wiped?	Yes (by updates)	Unlikely	Only if local destroyed
Speed of restore	Fast	Moderate to slow	Fast

Takeaway: System Restore is great for “undoing” system-level mistakes, but not for full disaster recovery. Combine it with broader backup tools for true peace of mind.

The New 60-Day Window: What to Watch Out For​

The move to a 60-day limit is unlikely to be reversed. Here’s how to adapt:

- Be Proactive​

• Create restore points before significant system changes.
• Put a monthly reminder on your calendar to check and make a new restore point—the two-month window comes fast.

- Educate Non-Expert Users​

• Friends, family, and coworkers often don’t know System Restore exists, much less how to use it. Show them how, and explain the new time limits.
• Encourage regular image backups for “set it and forget it” safety, especially on mission-critical systems.

- Watch for Unexpected Deletions​

• During big feature upgrades or security pushes, even recent restore points can disappear. Check availability after every major update.

- Don’t Rely Solely on System Restore​

• As useful as it is, treat System Restore as a first line of defense, not a cure-all. Use File History, OneDrive, or another cloud sync for your irreplaceable data.

Critical Analysis: Balancing Progress, Storage, and User Safety​

Microsoft faces competing priorities—conserving disk space, optimizing performance, and bolstering security. Shortening the System Restore window seems, on paper, to address these. Yet the reality for end users is nuanced.

Strengths​

• More Predictable Cleanup: While 60 days is shorter, it is at least consistent compared to previous inconsistent deletion timelines.
• Disk Space Savings: Users with small drives, especially SSDs, will regain space that otherwise accumulated with stale restore points.
• Potential Security Gains: Limiting the presence of old system snapshots might reduce some security risks related to persistence mechanisms in malware.

Risks and Weaknesses​

• Shorter Recovery Window: Problems that only surface after weeks may now be more costly to recover from.
• Early Deletion Still Possible: Users remain at the mercy of major updates, disk cleanups, or reaching storage limits, any of which can erase restore points even earlier than 60 days.
• User Awareness Lag: The change is largely unpublicized—many users are unlikely to realize their “undo” options are shrinking until disaster strikes.
• Overconfidence in Protection: Those relying on System Restore as their only safety plan may discover too late that it’s not enough for true recovery.

Best Practices Going Forward​

For PC enthusiasts and professionals, here’s a distilled action plan:

• Enable and regularly use System Restore—but never assume it will always be there.
• Pair System Restore with regular, automated full-disk image backups using trusted third-party software.
• Educate less technical users—don’t assume people know about the new 60-day timeline or even that System Restore exists.
• After major updates, manually check to verify your restore points still exist.
• Configure Windows Backup (or a cloud solution) for files you can’t afford to lose.

Final Thoughts: The Value of Redundancy in PC Disaster Recovery​

System Restore is still a valuable tool—fast, built-in, and perfect for rolling back bad drivers or Windows updates. The new 60-day limit is indeed a step backward for power users, reducing flexibility and making prompt action even more important. But with the right combination of proactive measures, third-party backups, and a little user education, you can outmaneuver these changes and keep your Windows 11 PC resilient in the face of trouble.
Ultimately, the new policy reinforces an age-old tech mantra: never let a single tool be your only safety net. In the evolving world of Windows 11, combining System Restore with robust backup routines ensures that even as Microsoft changes the rules, you control your PC’s fate.

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Source: Tom's Guide Fixing your broken Windows 11 PC is about to get even harder — here’s why