Point-in-time restore for Windows is generally available

Point-in-time restore is a built-in Windows recovery feature. It lets users roll a PC back to a previous state in minutes, from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Restore points are stored locally. They include:  Windows OS  Installed applications  System and app configurations  Settings  Local user files on the OS volume  The feature helps organizations reduce downtime and recover from issues without a full reset, reimage, or rebuild. Relevant issues include problematic updates, driver issues, misconfigurations, or app installations.  Rollout schedule Starting with the June 2026 Windows non-security update, Point-in-time restore is generally available for supported Windows 11 devices.  On managed devices, the feature is off by default until Windows 11, version 26H2. However, you can enable it via policy today.  Impact on your organization  Once enabled, Windows captures local restore points on a configurable schedule.  By default:  Restore points are captured daily.  Restore points remain available for up to 72 hours.  Restore points use up to 2% of disk space. Restore points use reserved storage to reduce impact on storage space.   Restore points are not pre-allocated. They might be removed earlier under storage pressure.  Volumes outside of Windows OS location aren’t affected.  You or any user can initiate restoration locally from WinRE with the required BitLocker recovery key.  Microsoft Intune doesn’t yet support remote restore initiation.  You can configure the feature using the Point-in-time restore CSP, via OMA-URI policy.  Action required/recommendations  Review your managed Windows device population and decide where to enable point-in-time restore. Managed devices won’t begin taking restore points unless you enable the feature before Windows 11, version 26H2.  Recommended actions:  Enable point-in-time restore for targeted managed device groups using the associated CSP.  Configure settings such as restore point frequency, retention, and maximum disk usage.  Ensure that devices have enough free space for restore points and the restore process.  Ensure that users and helpdesk teams can access required BitLocker recovery keys.  Update recovery playbooks, so support teams know when to use point-in-time restore before reset or reimage workflows.   Communicate that restore reverts the OS volume to its state at the time of the restore point, including local user […]

The post Point-in-time restore for Windows is generally available appeared first on M365 Admin.