Creating a restore point is one of the best habits to follow constantly. This feature helps you revert back to recent changes such as driver updates, software installations, system settings changes, or even Windows updates. However, because the default method of creating a restore point requires several steps, some people do not consistently create restore points before installing software or modifying system settings. That’s why in a previous article, we explained a method to make Windows automatically create a restore point every time you start the computer. Today, we want to discuss another method to streamline the process so you can create a restore point directly from the right-click menu in Windows.
You can actually add an option to create a restore point instantly within the Right-Click menu that appears when you right-click anywhere on the desktop. However, this is not something Microsoft easily allows through settings, and the user needs to make a series of modifications to the Registry to display this option in the menu. Since these modifications are somewhat numerous and complex, you can simply create a REG file that executes these modifications immediately without any hassle.
To create this file, you will need to open Notepad and copy and paste the attached codes below:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Create Restore Point]“HasLUAShield”=””“Icon”=”SystemPropertiesProtection.exe”[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\Create Restore Point\command]@=”PowerShell -windowstyle hidden -command \”Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList ‘/s,/c, PowerShell Checkpoint-Computer -Description \”Manual\” -RestorePointType \”MODIFY_SETTINGS\”‘ -Verb runAs\””[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore]“SystemRestorePointCreationFrequency”=dword:00000000
Once you paste the codes in the Notepad window, press File on the toolbar, then click on Save As from the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will appear, select the location to save the file, initially choosing the desktop. The most important thing is to change the name and set any name followed by the extension [reg.]. Then, from the Save as Type menu, select All Files and press the Save button to save the file with these settings.
You now have a shortcut file. Double-click on it twice, and from the confirmation window to apply the modifications, click Yes and then OK. With this step, the file has made all the necessary modifications to the Registry Editor to add the option to create a restore point to the right-click menu without you needing to do it yourself because, as mentioned, it is somewhat complex for a beginner user. If you are having trouble creating this file as well, you can click on this direct link and download the ready Registry file to apply the modifications.
Now, right-click on any empty space on the desktop and click on “Show more options” if you are using Windows 11. Then, you will see a new option in the menu, “Create Restore Point.” Anytime you need to create a restore point before installing software, updating drivers, or anything similar, you can simply do so by clicking on the “Create Restore Point” option, which will then bring up the CMD window momentarily to save a new restore point.
To ensure that a new restore point has been created, open the System Protection window by typing “restore point” in the search field after launching the Start menu. In this window, click on “System Restore,” then click Next, and you will see a list of all saved restore points.
