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No: Microsoft’s July 2026 Windows security update does not set a universal 60-day deletion timer for System Restore points. On Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, when Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) is enabled and running, Windows applies a security check before using a restore point. The 60-day condition is a fallback for cases where Windows cannot compare the point’s VBS code integrity (CI) policy version with the required policy—not a rule that automatically deletes every older point.

What Microsoft’s 60-day rule actually does

Microsoft’s “Restoring the system” technical documentation, last updated July 14, 2026, describes the rule for Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1 after installing the July 2026 security update, as well as Windows Server 2025. With VBS enabled and running, a restore point can be used if it meets the minimum VBS CI Policy requirement. If Windows cannot compare the policy versions, the point must be within 60 days to pass the check.

A point that fails the applicable security check cannot be used to restore Windows on those releases. Microsoft describes this as a security measure: “restoring Windows from restore points that do not meet the required security checks is not possible on these versions of Windows.” The documentation does not say that Windows deletes such points at day 60.

Who is affected

  • The documented Windows 11 client releases are 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, with the July 2026 security update installed.
  • The check applies while VBS is enabled and running. Microsoft also names Windows Server 2025.
  • Microsoft says earlier client Windows releases and Windows Server versions before Server 2025 continue to support restore points without these security requirements.

Microsoft notes that accessing points that fail the check on the affected releases requires disabling VBS. Because VBS is a security feature, do not turn it off casually; weigh the security implications and follow Microsoft’s guidance for the device and recovery situation.

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Can restore points still be deleted?

Yes. System Restore points remain subject to disk-space management and cleanup. Microsoft lists System Restore retention as “Indefinite (subject to disk space usage and cleanup)” in its comparison of restore features. “Indefinite” does not guarantee that a particular point will remain on the drive: Windows can purge older points to make room.

That ordinary cleanup is separate from the VBS security eligibility check. A point may still exist but fail the check for use on an affected release; conversely, an existing point could have been removed to free disk space regardless of the 60-day condition.

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System Restore and Point-in-time restore are different features

Windows also has Point-in-time restore, a separate feature with its own capture and retention behavior. Do not apply its 72-hour maximum to System Restore, or treat the System Restore 60-day security condition as Point-in-time restore’s retention policy.

Feature What it restores How points are created Retention Where it is configured or opened
System Restore System files, registry settings, and installed programs; personal files are not affected, according to Microsoft Support. Event-triggered or manually created restore points. Indefinite, subject to disk space and cleanup, according to Microsoft’s feature comparison. Control Panel or the System Restore workflow; Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is also an option.
Point-in-time restore The full system state. Automatically captured points; Microsoft describes an approximate default of one capture every 24 hours. Up to 72 hours on Windows client devices; older points can be removed sooner when storage limits or low disk space require it. Configured in Windows Settings.

The capture frequency and 72-hour maximum in the Point-in-time restore row describe that separate feature, not the System Restore policy change.

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How to open System Restore or create a point

System Restore can help undo changes to system files, registry settings, and installed programs. Microsoft says it does not affect personal files. The feature is useful for system changes, but it is not a substitute for backing up personal documents.

  1. Open the recovery tool: Search for “Create a restore point” in Windows, open the System Protection tab, and choose System Restore; alternatively, press Windows key + R, enter rstrui.exe, and press Enter.
  2. Choose a point: Follow the wizard to select an available restore point and review the programs and drivers that may be affected.
  3. Run the restore: Confirm the selection and allow Windows to restart if prompted. Availability depends on a suitable point still being present and, on affected releases with VBS running, passing the security check.

To create a point manually, search for “Create a restore point,” select the system drive in System Protection, choose Create, and follow the prompts. Windows also manages points automatically; Microsoft’s restore-point documentation describes points associated with events such as application installations, Windows updates, and restore operations.

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Using System Restore from Windows Recovery Environment

If Windows will not start normally, Microsoft Support documents launching System Restore from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The menu labels can vary by Windows version, but the recovery route is generally Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore. Choose an account if prompted and follow the wizard.

On an encrypted device, WinRE may ask for the BitLocker recovery key before it can access the drive. Make sure you can retrieve that key before relying on recovery from this environment.

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