System Restore Point Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

Creating a system restore point is one of the best ways to protect your computer. If something goes wrong—like a bad driver, an update that fails, or software that breaks your system—you can roll your PC back to a stable state in minutes.

But sometimes, when you try to create a restore point, Windows shows this message:

“System Restore could not create a restore point. Not enough disk space.”

This is one of the most common Windows errors, and luckily, it’s easy to fix once you understand what’s going on. Let’s go step by step.

Why You Get the “Not Enough Disk Space” Error

System restore points take up space because Windows saves a “snapshot” of your system files and settings. If your system drive (usually C:) is almost full, or if Windows has too little space reserved for restore points, the process fails.

Here are the most common causes:

1. C drive is full. There’s simply no room for Windows to store the restore data.

2. Low restore storage settings. You can set how much space Windows uses for restore points. If it’s too small, new ones can’t be created.

3. Disk fragmentation. Even if there’s free space, fragmented files can prevent the restore point from being saved correctly.

4. Windows updates. Large updates can temporarily consume huge amounts of space.

5. Temporary files and caches. Old logs, browser caches, and Recycle Bin files add up over time.

6. System protection is disabled. If System Protection is off, no restore points can be created—no matter how much space you have.

Fix 1: Free Up Space on the C Drive

The first and easiest step is to clean your system drive.

1. Use Disk Cleanup

Windows includes a built-in cleanup tool:

• Open File Explorer, right-click C:, choose Properties.

• Click Disk Cleanup.

• Check options like Temporary files, Recycle Bin, and Windows Update Cleanup.

• Click OK to delete them.

2. Delete Old Windows Updates

Old update files can take several gigabytes.

• In the Disk Cleanup window, click Clean up system files.

• Check Windows Update Cleanup and confirm deletion.

3. Empty the Recycle Bin

Files in the Recycle Bin still take up space.

• Right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.

4. Use Storage Sense

Windows 10 and 11 include an automatic cleanup feature:

• Go to Settings → System → Storage.

• Turn on Storage Sense and click Run Storage Sense now to free space immediately.

Fix 2: Increase Space for Restore Points

Even if you have enough disk space, Windows might not be using enough of it for restore points.

1. Type Create a restore point in the Start menu and open it.

2. In the System Properties window, select your system drive (C:).

3. Click Configure.

4. Under Disk Space Usage, move the slider to increase the Maximum Usage.

   A good rule is 5–10 GB depending on your disk size.

Click Apply and then try to create a restore point again.

Fix 3: Delete Old Restore Points

If old restore points take up all the reserved space, Windows can’t create new ones.

To delete them manually:

1. Open Create a restore point again.

2. Select C: → Configure → Delete.

3. This removes all previous restore points.

4. Click Create to make a fresh one.

Fix 4: Check If System Protection Is Turned On

Sometimes System Protection is simply disabled, which blocks all restore points.

1. Open Create a restore point.

2. Look at the Protection column for your system drive.

3. If it says Off, select it and click Configure.

4. Choose Turn on system protection and click Apply.

After enabling it, Windows should start creating restore points automatically again.

Fix 5: Move Large Files or Programs

If your C: drive is still running out of space, consider moving things elsewhere.

• Move videos, photos, and large personal files to D: or an external drive.

• Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
  Select big programs and click Move (if available).

• Avoid storing downloads or documents on the desktop—those are stored on C: by default.

You can also change the default folders for Documents, Pictures, and Downloads to another drive.

Extra Tips to Keep Your System Stable

• Schedule regular cleanups. Run Disk Cleanup or Storage Sense monthly.

• Avoid filling your C drive completely. Always leave at least 10–15 GB free.

• Use an external backup drive. Restore points are helpful, but not a replacement for backups.

• Create a restore point before major updates. Especially before driver or Windows version upgrades.

• Keep Windows updated. Fixes for restore issues are often included in patches.

Final Thoughts

The “Not enough disk space” error when creating a restore point is frustrating, but it’s almost always a storage issue or configuration problem.

By cleaning up your C drive, adjusting how much space Windows reserves, and making sure System Protection is turned on, you can quickly get System Restore working again.

Once you’ve done that, don’t forget to create a fresh restore point right away—it could save you hours of trouble in the future.