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Get the fix for the error  <b>System restore did not complete successfully</b> on <strong>Windows</strong><strong> 7</strong>.
<h2>About "System restore did not complete successfully"</h2>
[kbintro]
<h3><span id="Description_and_Symptoms">Description and Symptoms</span></h3>
The error messages, alerts, warnings, and symptoms below are tied to this error.
<h3>Symptom 1: "System restore did not complete successfully" error screen when System Restore is finished</h3>
Follow this guide fix System Restore if it shows following error: <strong>System Restore did not complete successfully.</strong>

The full error message is:
<pre>System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer’s system files and settings were not changed.

Details:
System Restore could not access a file. This is probably because an anti-virus program is running on the computer. Temporarily disable your antivirus program and retry System Restore.
An unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0x80070005)

You can try System Restore again and choose a different restore point. If you continue to see this error, you can try an advanced recovery method. For more information, see What is recovery?

Run System Restore | Cancel</pre>
On Windows 8 systems, the error message is similar:

<a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/system-restore-did-not-complete-successfully-windows-8.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-3348 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/system-restore-did-not-complete-successfully-windows-8.jpg" alt="System Restore error on Windows 8" width="477" height="284" /></a>
<h2>Causes of this Error</h2>
This error has been known to occur as a result of one of the following causes:
<h3>Cause 1: Antivirus software is interfering with System Restore</h3>
The most common cause of this error is the antivirus software that blocks System Restore's work.
<h3>Cause 2: System Protection settings are corrupt</h3>
Another possible cause of this error is the System Protection service that prevents System Restore from completing.
<h3>Cause 3: System files are corrupt</h3>
Another possible cause of this error is a corrupt or missing system file. This may happen because of disk write errors, power outages or virus attacks.
<h2>Fix System Restore did not complete successfully</h2>
<h3>Fix #1: Disable antivirus software</h3>
If you’re running an antivirus software, <strong>disable it</strong>.

In most cases, the System Restore did not complete successfully error appears because an antivirus program is already running on the computer and System Restore is trying to use a file that's also being used by the antivirus.
<h3>Fix #2: Check System Protection settings</h3>
Your Windows System Protection settings can be corrupted and your System Restore can throw the System Restore did not complete successfully error.

To verify if the System Protection settings are correct, follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Start</strong></li>
 	<li>Right-click on <strong>Computer</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Properties</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>System Protection</strong></li>
 	<li>Check if your hard disk has the <em>Protection</em> column value set to <strong>On</strong>. If the value of the <em>Protection</em> column is <strong>Off</strong>, select the hard disk and click <strong>Configure</strong>.</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4644" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/sysprot.png"><img class="wp-image-4644 size-large" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/sysprot-1024x720.png" alt="System Protection settings screen" width="980" height="689" /></a> System Protection settings screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #3: Run clean boot</h3>
Performing a clean boot of your Windows system might fix the System Restore did not complete successfully error.

Follow these steps:
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into your computer and click <strong>Start</strong></li>
 	<li>Type <code>msconfig.exe</code> in the search box</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>msconfig</strong> from the list</li>
 	<li>At the <em>General</em> tab, uncheck the <strong>Load startup items</strong> from the <strong>Selective startup</strong> radio button</li>
 	<li>At the <em>Service</em> tab, check <strong>Hide all Microsoft services</strong> and then click <strong>Disable all</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>OK</strong></li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Restart</strong></li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4645" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/Msconfig-utility-screen.png"><img class="size-large wp-image-4645" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/Msconfig-utility-screen-1024x592.png" alt="Msconfig utility screen" width="980" height="567" /></a> Msconfig utility screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #4: Run System Restore from Safe Mode</h3>
To bypass the System Restore did not complete successfully error, you can try to run System Restore from Safe Mode:
<ol>
 	<li>Restart your computer and press <kbd>F8</kbd> before the Windows logo appears</li>
 	<li>Select <strong>Safe Mode</strong> and press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
 	<li>Once Windows is done loading, open System Restore and follow the wizard steps to continue</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_1826" align="alignnone" width="980"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/03/advanced-boot-options-repair-computer-windows-vista-on-gateway.png"><img class="wp-image-1826 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/03/advanced-boot-options-repair-computer-windows-vista-on-gateway.png" alt=" Advanced Boot Options in Windows Vista on a Gateway" width="980" height="650" /></a> Advanced Boot Options in Windows Vista on a Gateway[/caption]
<h3>Fix #5: Run sfc</h3>
The sfc utility will report any corrupt system files that can be the cause for the System Restore did not complete successfully error.
<ol>
 	<li>Boot into Windows
Click <strong>Start</strong> and type <code>command prompt</code> in the search box to open Command Prompt</li>
 	<li>Right-click on Command Prompt</li>
 	<li>Click <strong>Run as administrator</strong>
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2446" src="/wiki/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/09/windows-7-cmd-run-as-administrator.jpg" alt="Windows 7 - Run Command Prompt as Administrator" width="388" height="95" /></li>
 	<li>When Command Prompt has loaded, type:
<pre>sfc /scannow</pre>
</li>
 	<li>Press <kbd>Enter</kbd></li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_4646" align="alignnone" width="800"]<a href="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/sfc.png"><img class="wp-image-4646 size-full" src="https://neosmart.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/sfc.png" alt="sfc utility results screen" width="800" height="600" /></a> sfc utility results screen[/caption]
<h3>Fix #6: Install Hotfix</h3>
Windows 7 users with SP1 installed can install <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2569601">this hotfix</a> to fix the error.
<h2>More Information</h2>
<h3>Linked Entries</h3>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://neosmart.net/wiki/sfc/">sfc</a></li>
</ul>
[partial name="partial_moreinfo" versions="vista,7,8"]