The error code 0x80042306 prevents you from creating any new restore point on your Windows PC. The error usually occurs when you are running low on system storage or there is a problem with related services like corrupt files or some issues with the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS).
This can be problematic since System Restore can come in handy in many situations. Thankfully, the problem is well documented, and hence, multiple methods can fix the issue.
1. Ensure You Have Enough Space
The first and foremost thing you should check is that you have enough free space on the drive for which you wish to create a System Restore Point. The best way to clean junk files is to run a Disk Cleanup wizard.
Head to the Start Menu and type 'Disk Cleanup.' Then, from the search results, click on the 'Disk Cleanup' tile to open the wizard.
Alternatively, you can initiate the Disk Cleanup wizard using the Run utility. To do so, press the Windows+R keys together on your keyboard to bring up the Run utility. Then, type cleanmgr in the text box and hit Enter on your keyboard.
On the Disk Cleanup wizard, click the drop-down menu and select one of the drives. Then, click 'OK' to proceed. A new window will open on your screen.
In the next window, you shall be able to select file categories by clicking on each preceding checkbox. You can select as many as you wish. The total disk space that will be freed after the deletion of your selection will be mentioned below the list. Finally, click 'OK'.
Now, click 'Delete' on the alert window to confirm your actions.
After that, try to run System Restore again. If the error was presenting itself due to low storage, it should be resolved by now.
2. Run SFC and DISM
Deployment Image Servicing and Management scans will check and repair the existing operating system files installed on your device, along with other system files currently on your PC. This has been known to fix the issue for many users.
Head to the Start Menu and type 'Terminal'. Then, right-click on the 'Terminal' tile and choose the 'Run as administrator' option from the context menu to proceed.
Next, if you are not logged in with an admin account, enter credentials for one. Otherwise, click on the 'Yes' button to proceed.
After that, click on the 'chevron' (downward arrow) icon and select the 'Command Prompt' option.
Then, type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter on your keyboard. This will restore the currently installed OS image on your device.
DISM/ Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth
Once completed, type or copy and paste the following command to check and repair the system files on your PC. SFC is an in-built tool from Microsoft that can help you find and recover corrupted files on your PC.
SFC/ scannow
The tool will start scanning your system for issues. This might take a while, so be patient. Once it's done, restart your computer and check if the issue with System Restore was resolved.
3. Run CHKDSK
CHKDSK scan will check your hard disk for the physical bad sector and logical errors as well. This will help you to pinpoint problems with your secondary storage device.
First, head to the Start Menu and type Terminal to perform a search for it. After that, right-click on the 'Terminal' tile and choose the 'Run as administrator' option to proceed.
Then, enter credentials for admin on the UAC screen if you are not logged in with an admin account. Otherwise, click on the 'Yes' button to proceed.
After that, click on the chevron (downward arrow) and choose the 'Command Prompt' option to continue. This will open the Command Prompt in a separate tab.
Next, type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter on your keyboard to execute the command.
chkdsk /f
After that, press the Y key to schedule the scan to be initiated when you boot up your PC next time.
4. Restart Volume Shadow Copy Service
Volume Shadow service is very crucial for the System Restore process as it helps in creating a snapshot of the volumes and drives that you wish to backup, which is then used by the System Restore when you wish to roll back your PC.
Open the Start Menu and type 'Services' to perform a search. Then, click on the 'Services' tile from the search results.
After that, manually scroll down or press the V key on your keyboard to jump to the services starting from the alphabet. Once you have located the 'Volume Shadow Copy' service, right-click on it and select 'Properties.'
On the Properties window, click 'Stop' and hit 'Apply.' Do not close the window. After a couple of minutes, click 'Start' and hit 'Apply' again. Also, ensure the 'Startup type' is set to 'Automatic' before hitting 'Start'; set it from the drop-down menu if it isn't. Then, click the 'Apply' and 'OK' buttons.
Now, restart your PC and try to create a System Restore point again. If there's a process interfering or a bug not letting this service work as intended, a simple restart of the service should resolve the issue.
5. Re-register VSS Components
Head to the Start Menu and type 'Terminal.' Then, right-click on the 'Terminal' tile and choose the 'Run as administrator' option from the context menu to proceed.
Next, if you are not logged in with an admin account, enter credentials for one. Otherwise, click on the 'Yes' button to proceed.
After that, click on the chevron (downward arrow) icon and select the 'Command Prompt' option.
Then, type or copy and paste the below-mentioned commands and hit Enter each command on your keyboard to execute them separately.
cd /d %windir%\system32
net stop vss
net stop swprv
regsvr32 /s ole32.dll
regsvr32 /s oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 /s vss_ps.dll
vssvc /register
regsvr32 /s /i swprv.dll
regsvr32 /s /i eventcls.dll
regsvr32 /s es.dll
regsvr32 /s stdprov.dll
regsvr32 /s vssui.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml3.dll
regsvr32 /s msxml4.dll
vssvc /register
net start swprv
net start vss
Once the process is completed, restart your PC and try creating a restore point again.
6. Disable Antivirus
Some users have been able to resolve this issue by temporarily shutting down their antivirus software. Though we are showcasing the process with Windows Defender here, the process will remain the same at the macro level, even with third-party software.
Open the Start Menu and type 'Windows Security.' Then, from the search results, click on the 'Windows Security' tile to proceed.
Next, from the left section of the window, select 'Virus & threat protection' to proceed.
After that, click 'Manage settings' from the right section to continue.
Finally, locate the 'Real-time protection' section and click on the toggle switch under the option to bring it to the 'Off' position.
While the real-time protection is off, try to create a System Restore point and see if the anti-virus was the culprit.
7. Create a Restore Point in Safe Mode
To boot your PC in safe mode, turn on your computer, and at the first sign of boot, press and hold the physical power button for thirty seconds or until the computer shuts down.
Repeat this process three times, and let your PC boot normally on the fourth time. Windows will automatically load the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment).
In case an 'Automatic Repair' screen greets you, click on the 'Advanced Options' button present in the bottom left section to continue.
Next, on the 'Choose an option' screen, click on the 'Troubleshoot' tile to proceed.
Next, on the 'Troubleshoot' screen, locate and click on the 'Advanced options' tile to continue.
After that, from the next screen, locate and click on the 'Startup Repair' option from the grid of options present on the screen.
Now, on the next screen, Windows will list the actions taken by the operating system in order to initiate the Startup Repair on your computer. Read the list carefully before starting, and click the 'Restart' button to proceed.
Your PC will now start in Safe Mode without loading any third-party software and services. Now you can start creating a restore point.
Enable System Restore for your Windows 11 PC
Since System Restore is disabled by default, you will need to enable it first before a System Restore checkpoint can be created for your PC. If you already have created one, you can skip to the next section.
Head to the Start Menu and click on the 'Settings' icon.
Then, click the 'System' tab from the sidebar on the 'Settings' screen.
After that, scroll down and locate the 'About' tile from the list present on the right section of the screen and click on it.
Next, click on the 'System protection' option present on the 'Related links' tab on the screen.
To turn on 'System Restore,' click on your preferred drive from the protection settings section and then click on the 'Configure' button underneath it.
Next, click on the 'Turn on system protection' option. Then, drag the slider present under the 'Disk Space Usage' section to adjust the amount of space you want to allocate towards a System Restore point.
After that, click the 'Apply' button to confirm the changes and click the 'OK' button to close the window.
System Restore functionality is now enabled on your selected driver. Windows will automatically create a System Restore Point whenever you install an application or update your PC.
8. Reset Your PC
If none of the things worked for you, it is time to bring out the big guns. Resetting your PC reinstalls the complete Windows whilst keeping your personal files and folders intact.
To reset your PC, head to the 'Settings' app from the Start Menu.
After that, make sure you have selected the 'System' tab from the left sidebar present on the Settings window.
Next, from the right section of the window, scroll down to locate and click on the 'Recovery' tile to continue.
Now, locate the 'Reset this PC' tile present under the 'Recovery options' section and click on the 'Reset PC' button situated on the far right edge of the tile. This will open a separate window.
On the separate 'Reset this PC' window that appears, you will have two options. Choose the 'Keep my files' option by clicking on it to roll the system settings and apps to a fresh start whilst keeping your personal files and folders intact.
On the next screen, you will need to choose a method for reinstalling the operating system on your machine. Since there could be an issue with the copy already present in your system, it is recommended that you click on the 'Cloud download' option.
After that, Windows will list the settings that you have chosen. If you wish to change any of it, click the 'Change settings' option to continue.
If you chose to change the settings, you can configure the following settings on the next screen. You can choose not to restore the apps and settings by clicking on the toggle switch under the 'Restore preinstalled apps?' option and bringing it to the 'No' position. You can even switch from the Cloid download to the local installation by clicking the 'Download Windows?' toggle. Once adjusted, click 'Confirm' to proceed.
Then, click 'Next' at the bottom right to continue.
It might take a while for Windows to load the next screen. Windows will list the impact of resetting your PC. Read them carefully and click 'Reset' to initiate the process.
The system restore point is a crucial utility to help you regain access to your system should anything go wrong with your PC. With the above methods, it should start working like clockwork again.
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