Microsoft 365 Endpoint AdministratorDeploy Windows client (25-30%)Easy

A user reports that their Windows 11 device is failing to boot after a recent driver update. The device displays a 'Recovery' screen. The IT technician needs to quickly revert the system to a previous working state without losing any user data. Which recovery option should the technician choose?

  1. ARestore from a system image backup
  2. BGo back to the previous version of Windows
  3. CSystem Restore
  4. DUninstall Updates (Uninstall latest quality update)
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. System Restore

System Restore allows you to revert your system to a previous point in time when it was working correctly, without affecting personal files. This is ideal for recovering from issues caused by recent driver or software installations, directly addressing the scenario's need to revert without data loss.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Restoring from a system image backup would revert the entire drive to a previous state, potentially losing user data created since the backup, which contradicts the requirement.
  • B. 'Go back to the previous version of Windows' is for rolling back a feature update (e.g., Windows 11 to Windows 10), not for reverting a driver update issue within the same OS version.
  • D. 'Uninstall Updates' specifically targets quality or feature updates. While there's an option to uninstall driver updates, 'System Restore' is a more comprehensive and often quicker solution for reverting system-wide changes that affect boot, specifically designed to roll back to a known good state without impacting user files.

System Restore

A Windows recovery tool that allows users to revert their computer's system files, installed applications, and registry to a previous point in time (a 'restore point') without affecting personal files.

  • Reverts system changes, not personal files.
  • Useful for recovering from driver/software issues.
  • Requires restore points to be enabled and created.
  • Accessible from Advanced Startup options.

Memory trick: System Restore: Revert, Don't Hurt Data

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