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Windows XP - Disable System Restore completely

February 8, 2013
Updated: April 14, 2022
Quick overview:

The System Restore function integrated in Windows XP allows you to restore your computer at will. All you have to do is set a so-called system restore point. At a later point in time, it is possible to jump back to this point and thus eliminate possible errors. Unfortunately, the function requires some hard disk space.

So if you don't need them, you can switch them off completely:

1. To do this, click on Start > Control Panel > System. Now switch to the System Restore tab.

2. By clicking in the white box in front of Disable system restore on all drives, a checkmark appears in front of it.

3. If you now confirm with OK, the system restore is deactivated.

The alternative method (applicable via the registry, e.g. if the first method does not work:

1. Click on Start > Run and type the command regedit into the command line. A program will then appear that you can use like the conventional Windows Explorer.

2. Double-click to navigate through the keys HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SystemRestore and right-click in the right-hand pane. From the context menu that now appears, select New > DWORD value. They christen this with the name DisableSR.

3. Now double-click on your self-created value and enter 1 in the line.

After that, you will finally have peace of mind from the system restore.

Note: If you are using Windows Server 2003, the key may be different. If the first path does not work, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\SystemRestore and follow the instructions here.

Founded Windows Tweaks as a teenager in the 90s. His helpful PC tricks made it Germany's most visited Windows site (at the time Sandro looked like this). He then went on to write elsewhere, for example for PC-Praxis, Computer Bild and PCWorld in the USA. Microsoft also poached him from us. Now Sandro is back, finally sharing his tweaks here again. For a stress-free digital everyday life. You can reach Sandro via e-mail.

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