System Restore is Restoring the Registry: How to Fix It

User Case: System Restore Stuck Restoring Registry

when you try to initiate a system restore, you may encounter a problem where the process gets stuck on "system restore is restoring the registry." This issue typically occurs due to corrupted system files, faulty updates, or problems within the registry itself. If you’ve encountered this issue, don’t worry. This article will walk you through several troubleshooting steps to fix the system restore stuck on restoring registry problem, so you can get your PC back in working order.

Solutions on Fix System Restore Registry Issue

Solution 1: Run System Restore in Safe Mode

One of the simplest ways to bypass issues with system restore restoring the registry is to attempt running System Restore in Safe Mode. Safe Mode starts Windows with only the essential drivers and services, which can help resolve conflicts that might be causing the restore to get stuck:

1. Enter Safe Mode: As the PC restarts, click Advanced options. Next, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings, and press F4 or F5 to choose Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

2. Access System Restore: Once in Safe Mode, press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and hit Enter.

3. Choose Restore Point: Select the most recent restore point before the issue began and proceed with the restore.

4. Complete the Process: Allow the system to restore and reboot. Check to see if the problem persists.

5. Tip: If System Restore doesn’t work in Safe Mode, try using System Restore in Command Prompt (explained in Solution 2).

Solution 2: Use Command Prompt to Fix System Restore

If System Restore is still stuck on restoring the registry, another effective approach is to use Command Prompt to repair the system and resolve the issue.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X, select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run SFC Scan: Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter. This will scan your system files for corruption and repair any detected issues.
3. Run CHKDSK Utility: Type chkdsk /f /r and hit Enter. This command checks for disk errors and attempts to fix them.
4. Run DISM Tool: Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter. This tool repairs system image and corruption issues.
5. Restart and Retry: Once these scans are complete, restart your computer and try running System Restore again.

Tip: Running these utilities can take some time, depending on the size of your drive and the extent of the corruption.

Bonus: Create System Image Windows for Data Safety

When you have encountered system restore stuck on restoring registry problems, there is a risk of data loss as you try to fix it. Before anything could happen, please try the best USB image tool - AOMEI Backupper Professional to help you create a system image and save it to your USB as your system backup in case you have lost your system files.

🚩 The tool is designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for anyone to use.
🚩 Besides disk wiping, it also includes features for backup, restore, cloning, and syncing. Remember to back up your data before wiping your device to avoid losing important files.
🚩 You have the option to wipe the entire disk, specific partitions, or just unallocated space—whatever suits your needs.
🚩 It supports a variety of storage types, working smoothly with internal and external hard drives, USB drives, SSDs, HDDs, and SD cards for reliable performance.
🚩 AOMEI Backupper is compatible with all popular Windows versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

Feel free to download the 30-day free trial and give it a try. Then, follow the steps to easily backup Windows 10 to USB.

1. Plug your USB flash drive into your computer and make sure it is detected. Then, open AOMEI Backupper.

2. From the main screen, choose Backup > System Backup.

★Tip: Ensure your USB drive has enough space (at least 16GB) to store the Windows 10 system image.

3. Select your USB flash drive as the destination to save the Windows 10 system image. You can rename the task if you want to easily distinguish it from other backups. 

★ Tip: The software will automatically select the necessary partitions for Windows 10 system and boot files.

4. Click Start Backup to begin creating the Windows 10 system image on your USB drive.

★ Tips:
☄ Options let you encrypt, split, compress the backup, enable email notification, use VSS, or perform a sector-by-sector backup.
☄ Backup Schedule allows you to set regular backups, such as daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers, and USB plug in.
☄ Backup Scheme gives you the choice of full, incremental, or differential backups, and you can set up a retention policy to delete old backup images automatically.

Wait for the process to complete, and you’ll find the Windows 10 system image successfully saved on your flash drive. Be sure to store the USB drive in a safe place.

Possible Causes for the "System Restore is Restoring the Registry" Problem

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why this issue may occur:

• Corrupted System Files: Over time, system files can become corrupted, especially after major updates or software installations.
• Registry Corruption: If the Windows registry becomes corrupted, it can interfere with the System Restore process, causing it to fail.
• Outdated System Drivers: Drivers that are incompatible with the current version of Windows can also trigger issues during System Restore.
• Third-Party Software Conflicts: Security programs or third-party utilities can sometimes prevent System Restore from completing successfully.
• Malware: In rare cases, malware or viruses can compromise the System Restore function.

Conclusion

The issue where System Restore is restoring the registry can be daunting, but with the right tools and steps, it’s entirely fixable. Whether you choose to run the restore in Safe Mode, use the Command Prompt to scan and repair your system or employ a reliable tool like AOMEI Backupper, the solutions outlined in this article will help you resolve the problem and keep your system running smoothly.