Member Avatar for Casper09

When I try to do a system restore, I get this message:

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Can anyone tell me how to turn it back on?

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Short summary: that message means System Restore was turned off by a policy (local or domain), not a normal program error. For a standalone PC the usual fixes are to undo the Group Policy setting or remove the policy entry from the Policies area of the registry; both approaches are documented and will restore the System Restore UI. Microsoft policy mapping and notes and community step‑throughs explain this in more detail. (See below.)

If you have Windows with the Local Group Policy Editor, use it first — Start -> Run -> gpedit.msc -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> System Restore. Make sure both “Turn off System Restore” and “Turn off Configuration” are Not Configured (or Disabled) and reboot so the change takes effect. Community how‑tos that show the exact steps match this approach.
(Example how‑to: https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/restore-point-creation-disabled-by-group-policy/)

If your edition doesn’t include gpedit.msc, the same policy settings are stored under the Software\Policies branch in the registry. Export (File > Export) a backup before making any edits, then remove the policy entries that were used to disable System Restore (the ones discussed earlier in this thread). If those entries reappear after a reboot, the machine may be receiving a domain GPO or a third‑party tool is reapplying them; use Resultant Set of Policy (rsop.msc) or gpresult to see what is actually applying the setting. (Registry/gpedit guidance: https://www.askvg.com/fix-system-restore-point-creation-configuration-disabled-by-group-policy-or-system-administrator/ and GP processing notes: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/group-policy/group-policy-processing)

Extra checks and cautions: malware and some disk/recovery utilities can deliberately disable System Restore to block recovery — scan from Safe Mode or an offline/rescue scanner if you suspect infection. After re‑enabling, verify by opening System Properties -> System Restore (or System Protection) and creating a restore point to confirm everything works. Credit to for the registry approach that fixed this for ; was also correct that malware is a common reason, and ’s question about “why” is usually answered by either policy changes, recovery utilities, or infections. (Malware examples that change these policy values: https://www.virusbulletin.com/virusbulletin/2012/11/dissecting-winlocker-ransomware-goes-centralized/)

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Member Avatar for gemini4

Open the registry editor (Click Start, Choose Run and Execute regedit).

Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore

On the right panel right click on DisableSR and choose delete.

Member Avatar for 'Stein

Out of curiosity, why would anybody have that on (DisableSR) in the first place?

I mean, why wouldn't ya want SysRestore...?

Thanks.

Member Avatar for gemini4

Out of curiosity, why would anybody have that on (DisableSR) in the first place?

I mean, why wouldn't ya want SysRestore...?

Thanks.

Maybe somebody decided to play with gpedit.msc :cheesy: or one program installed on the computer like Norton GoBack lets say, doesn't like the ideea of System Restore being enabled... Who knows?

The fact is that the message is about a group policy restriction and I just created the key with the problem on my computer and got the same error message.

Member Avatar for caperjack

Out of curiosity, why would anybody have that on (DisableSR) in the first place?

I mean, why wouldn't ya want SysRestore...?

Thanks.

trojans/viruses disable system restore . so you can't fix you computer !!

Member Avatar for Casper09

Thank you so much gemini4 :)

Member Avatar for 'Stein

Ahh, makes sense to me.

Thanks guys :)

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