Why has Microsoft done this? Nobody is entirely sure, but some current theories are:
- On smaller devices (cheap tablets) with only 16 or 32gb of space, there isn’t enough room to have a system restore file as well.
- Windows 10 has excellent ‘in-place upgrades’ from build to build, but this interferes with System Restore in some way, therefore they are turned off.
- Windows 8/8.1 and 10 have ‘Reset/Refresh this PC’ which effectively reinstalls Windows whilst keeping all your files and programs installed. I love the idea of this, but still don’t trust it entirely!
- System Restore is too complicated for end users (might be true, but it is very useful when troubleshooting a client’s computers!)
- Users thought System Restore was a replacement for a backup – it’s not. System Restore is used to backup your computer’s settings, not your files.