Microsoft shipped an optional preview update for Windows 11 on June 23, 2026, that introduces a long-anticipated recovery tool called Point-in-Time Restore. The update, cataloged as KB5095093, is now available for devices running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 and begins a gradual rollout of the feature alongside a bundle of fixes—including corrections for Recycle Bin reliability.
The headlining addition is a modernized system recovery mechanism that allows users to rewind their entire PC to a state captured up to 72 hours earlier. Unlike the legacy System Restore that has been part of Windows for decades, Point-in-Time Restore promises a more predictable and tightly scoped rollback experience. According to the release notes glimpsed in early documentation, the feature is built on a new snapshot engine that operates below the file-system layer, capturing a complete image of the operating system, installed applications, settings, and user data at regular intervals.
Microsoft is positioning Point-in-Time Restore as a safety net for both mainstream users and IT administrators who need a reliable undo button after problematic software installations, driver updates, or configuration changes. The 72-hour window means a PC can be rolled back to any of the automatically generated restore points within the last three days—no manual checkpoint creation required.
How the 72-hour rollback works under the hood
Early technical analysis suggests that Point-in-Time Restore leverages a persistent, block-level differencing system similar to the Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) differencing chains that Windows has used in Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for years. When first activated, the feature creates a base snapshot of the current system state. Subsequent writes to the disk are redirected to a disposable differencing layer that tracks changes between the base and the present moment.
This architecture yields several important benefits. First, because only deltas are stored, the storage footprint remains modest—Microsoft engineers have hinted that a typical workstation might allocate as little as 20 GB for the full 72-hour history, though the actual consumption depends on the rate of changes. Second, the rollback operation is atomic: reverting to a point from 24 hours ago simply discards the differencing layers for any points newer than the selected one, which can be accomplished in seconds rather than the minutes or hours traditional full-image restores require.
The system automatically prunes restore points outside the 72-hour window, so users do not accumulate stale snapshots. During the preview phase, the feature is off by default and must be enabled through the Settings app under System > Recovery > Point-in-Time Restore. Once turned on, the system begins taking snapshots every four hours and after significant events such as Windows Update installations or new driver loading.
Recycle Bin fixes and other quality improvements
KB5095093 does not just deliver the new restore capability; it also addresses several known issues. The update fixes a race condition that could cause the Recycle Bin to stop responding when attempting to empty a large number of files simultaneously—an annoyance that has plagued users since the 23H2 feature update. Additionally, Microsoft has resolved a memory leak in the Desktop Window Manager that was triggered by certain animated themes, along with a bug that prevented the taskbar from auto-hiding after a full-screen application exited.
A less visible but equally important change is an update to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). The recovery tools now include a direct shortcut to the Point-in-Time Restore interface, allowing users to access the rollback feature even when Windows fails to boot normally. This mirrors the integration that System Restore once enjoyed but with a modern, touch-friendly interface that aligns with the Windows 11 design language.
How to get the update and test the feature
Because KB5095093 is an optional preview update, it will not be installed automatically through Windows Update unless a user manually checks for updates and selects it. Administrators managing fleets through WSUS or Microsoft Endpoint Manager can import the update and deploy it to pilot groups for validation. The gradual rollout means that even after installing the update, the Point-in-Time Restore feature may not appear immediately; Microsoft uses a Known Issue Rollback-style mechanism to enable the feature on subsets of devices over the course of several weeks.
Enthusiasts who want to try the new recovery tool should navigate to Settings > Windows Update, click “Check for updates,” and then locate the “2026-06 Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 24H2/25H2 (KB5095093)” entry. After installation and a required reboot, opening System > Recovery will reveal the “Point-in-Time Restore” section if the feature has been activated for the device. Toggling it on triggers the first snapshot immediately.
The broader context: Windows resilience strategy
Point-in-Time Restore is the latest piece in a larger puzzle that Microsoft has been assembling around system resilience. The Windows 11 2025 Update (version 25H2) introduced an overhauled kernel driver isolation model that prevents misbehaving drivers from corrupting core system files. Combined with the new restore feature, Microsoft is delivering a one-two punch: prevention through tighter isolation and rapid recovery when prevention fails.
The 72-hour limit is not arbitrary. Internal telemetry at Microsoft has shown that the vast majority of system-breaking changes manifest within hours of the triggering event—whether that is a software install, a patch, or an inadvertent configuration tweak. By capping the retention at three days, the company balances protection with storage economy. Power users who require longer-term recovery points can still rely on the legacy System Restore feature, which remains in Windows 11 alongside the new tool, or turn to full-disk backup solutions.
Community reaction to the early announcement has been cautiously optimistic. In forums and social media, users who have experienced catastrophic failures after driver updates express hope that Point-in-Time Restore will replace the outdated “Reset this PC” option for many scenarios. Others question whether the feature will ship with enough disk space management to avoid encroaching on primary storage, particularly on devices with small SSDs. The optional update period will be crucial for gathering feedback before the feature is bundled into the mandatory Patch Tuesday update expected in July 2026.
What comes next
Microsoft’s preview documentation indicates that a fully automated, cloud-assisted version of Point-in-Time Restore is in the pipeline for a future release. That iteration would use Windows Backup to store snapshots in OneDrive, extending the rollback window to 30 days and allowing recovery even after a clean installation. For now, the local-only 72-hour feature is a significant step forward that brings Windows closer to the seamless recovery models long enjoyed by macOS and ChromeOS.
As the rollout continues, IT professionals should evaluate how Point-in-Time Restore interacts with third-party backup and endpoint protection suites. Early testing has shown conflicts with some full-disk encryption software, a challenge Microsoft acknowledges and says it is working to resolve before the feature reaches general availability. For the millions of Windows 11 users who have ever wished they could turn back the clock after a bad update, KB5095093 offers a reason to check Windows Update manually this week.