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How to Fix Restore Previous Version Not Working on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Solutions

Many Windows 10 users rely on the Restore Previous Version feature to recover lost or overwritten files. This tool can be a lifesaver when you need to undo unwanted changes quickly. However, it sometimes stops working, which can be frustrating and confusing.

If you find that Restore Previous Version is not working on your Windows 10 computer, don’t worry. There are several simple steps you can follow to fix the problem. This guide will walk you through these solutions in a clear and easy-to-understand way.

By following these methods, you can get the feature working again and protect your important files. Let’s start by checking some basic prerequisites before diving into the troubleshooting steps.

Make sure to follow each step carefully to avoid causing any additional issues on your system.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

Before troubleshooting, it’s important to verify a few things that can affect the Restore Previous Version feature:

  • System Protection must be enabled: This feature creates restore points and file history snapshots. Without it, previous versions won’t be saved.
  • File History or Shadow Copies should be active: These are the underlying technologies that store file versions.
  • You need administrative privileges: Some fixes require making changes to system settings or services.
  • Check that the drive is NTFS formatted: Restore Previous Versions only works on NTFS drives, not FAT32 or exFAT.

Step 1: Verify System Protection is Enabled

System Protection is the foundation for saving previous versions of files. If it’s turned off, Windows won’t create restore points or snapshots.

  1. Press Windows + S to open the search box, type “Create a restore point”, and press Enter.
  2. In the System Properties window, under the System Protection tab, look for your system drive (usually C:).
  3. If Protection is Off, select the drive and click Configure.
  4. Choose Turn on system protection and adjust the Max Usage slider to allocate disk space for restore points (5-10% is usually enough).
  5. Click Apply and then OK to save changes.

Turning on System Protection helps Windows start creating restore points, which are essential for restoring previous versions.

Step 2: Check and Enable File History

File History is another way Windows saves copies of your files. If it’s off, previous versions may not be available.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Backup.
  3. Under Back up using File History, check if a backup drive is connected and the feature is turned on.
  4. If not, click Add a drive and select an external or secondary drive.
  5. Once added, toggle the switch to On to start backing up files.

File History regularly saves versions of your files, making the Restore Previous Version feature more effective.

Step 3: Restart the Volume Shadow Copy Service

The Volume Shadow Copy Service is responsible for creating snapshots of your files. If this service is not running, previous versions won’t be available.

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. In the Services window, scroll down and find Volume Shadow Copy.
  3. Right-click it and select Properties.
  4. Set the Startup type to Automatic.
  5. If the service is stopped, click Start, then click Apply and OK.

Restarting this service ensures Windows can create the snapshots needed to restore file versions.

Step 4: Use Command Prompt to Check System File Integrity

Sometimes corrupted system files can cause Restore Previous Version to stop working. Running a system file check can fix these issues.

  1. Press Windows + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

This command scans your system for corrupted files and repairs them automatically. Wait until the process completes.

If issues are found and fixed, restart your PC and check if the Restore Previous Version is working.

Step 5: Check Drive Format and File Location

Restore Previous Versions only works on files stored on NTFS-formatted drives. If your file is on a FAT32 or exFAT drive, the feature won’t work.

  1. Open This PC in File Explorer.
  2. Right-click the drive where your file is located and select Properties.
  3. Under the General tab, check the File system type.
  4. If it’s not NTFS, the Restore Previous Version feature won’t work on that drive.

To use this feature, move the file to an NTFS drive or convert the drive format if necessary (note that converting or formatting can lead to data loss, so back up your files first).

Alternative Method: Use File History to Restore Files Manually

If the standard Restore Previous Version option is unavailable, you can try restoring files using File History directly.

  1. Open Control Panel and go to File History.
  2. Click Restore personal files on the left panel.
  3. Browse through the available backups and select the file or folder you want to restore.
  4. Click the green restore button to recover the file to its original location or choose a different folder.

This method uses the same backups but accessed through a different interface, which sometimes works when the right-click restore option does not.

FAQs

Why is the ‘Restore Previous Versions’ option missing from my file’s right-click menu?

This usually happens if System Protection or File History is turned off, or if the file is on a non-NTFS drive. Make sure these features are enabled and the file is stored on an NTFS drive.

Can I restore previous versions of files stored on external drives?

Yes, if the external drive is NTFS formatted and System Protection or File History is configured to include that drive.

Will enabling System Protection slow down my computer?

System Protection uses some disk space to save restore points, but it generally has a minimal impact on system performance.

What if System Restore points are deleted? Can I still recover previous versions?

If restore points are deleted, previous versions managed by System Protection may be lost. However, File History backups might still be available if configured.

Can I recover previous versions of files deleted a long time ago?

Only if restore points or file history backups for those times exist. Windows only keeps a limited number of restore points based on disk space settings.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and Restore Previous Version still does not work, you can try the following:

  • Run a System Restore: This will roll back your entire system to a previous state where the feature was working.
  • Check for Windows Updates: Sometimes updates fix bugs related to system features.
  • Use third-party recovery software: Tools like Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery can help recover lost files.
  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support website for more help.

Conclusion

The Restore Previous Version feature is a useful tool to recover lost or changed files on Windows 10. When it stops working, simple checks like enabling System Protection, activating File History, and ensuring the right drive format can often fix the issue.

Restarting essential services and running system scans help keep your system healthy and restore functionality. If needed, alternative methods and recovery tools can provide extra options.

By following these step-by-step solutions, you can restore the convenience of recovering previous file versions and protect your important data with confidence.

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