Windows Restore Points

Windows update could cause some problems with device drivers, video, USB etc.

That can cause corrupted system files, including PowerShell.

Possible ways to fix them:

Repair Windows components

Run from elevated cmd.exe:

sfc /scannow

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

DSIM may take LONG time to run, don't interrupt it! Prevent windows sleep, restart etc.

Note: PowerShell is NOT one product!

1. Windows PowerShell 5.1

   • Built into Windows
   • Lives under C:/Windows/System32/WindowsPowerShell/v1.0/powershell.exe
   • Uses the old .NET Framework-based stack
   • Repaired through Windows servicing, not normal uninstall/reinstall

2. PowerShell 7+

• Separate product installed independently
• Usually launched with pwsh
• Uses the newer .NET stack
• Can be installed, updated, or removed like a normal application

this is "native" 5.1
    powershell.exe -NoProfile

this is "portable" 7.x
    pwsh -NoProfile

WSL2 is used by Docker, and sometimes can get damaged

• wsl --status
• wsl -l -v

If WSL is broken but Windows is now stable, repair WSL first.
Reinstall Docker only after WSL is confirmed healthy.

wsl --shutdown

wsl --updateIf needed, reinstall Docker Desktop

docker version

docker context ls

docker ps

On Windows 11, the quickest way is through System Protection.

1. Press Win.
2. Type restore point.
3. Open Create a restore point.
4. In the System Protection tab, select your system drive, usually ..
5. If Protection says Off, click Configure, turn on System Protection, and apply.
6. Click Create.
7. Enter a name like After_SFC_Docker_Recovery.
8. Wait for the confirmation.

If you prefer the longer route:

1. Open Control Panel
2. System
3. System Protection
4. Then the same steps above

A few practical notes:

• Restore points are not full backups.
• They mainly protect system files, drivers, registry, and some installed app state.
• They are still worth creating right now, especially before any more AMD, Docker, or Windows updates

A restore point is not something Windows usually “uses automatically” to heal the system during normal operation. It is mainly there for you to use when you want to roll system state back.

What it contains:

• system files
• registry state
• drivers
• installed-program state for many apps
• some system settings

What it does not replace:

• full file backup
• versioned backup of your documents
• guaranteed protection for all app data

When Windows creates them:

1. Before some driver installs
2. Before some Windows updates
3. Before some app installs that use the proper installer APIs
4. Sometimes on a scheduled basis if System Protection is enabled

When it is used:

1. You manually run System Restore
2. Or you boot into Windows Recovery and choose System Restore

What happens when you use one:

• Windows reverts system configuration back to that snapshot time
• It can remove drivers, updates, and apps installed after that point
• Your personal documents usually are not the target of rollback

So think of it as:

• good for “my system got unstable after a driver/update/install”
• not good enough for “I need all my files backed up”