System Restore fails to extract the file/original copy [FIX]

March 2023 · 4 minute read

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  • System Restore is a handy Windows tool you can use to revert the platform back to an earlier date. However, the tool doesn’t always work and when it isn’t, you can receieve an error along the lines of, “System Restore failed to extract the original copy of the directory from the restore point.” Luckily, there are a few potential fixes for that error.

    Check if System Restore is on

    First, check that the System Restore tool is on. The Turn on System Protection option is usually selected by default but something could have happened to turn it off. You can select that option as follows.

    Check the Group Policy Editor’s Turn off system restore setting

    Windows Enterprise and Pro users should know that the Group Policy Editor has a Turn off System Restore option. Checking that setting if you have a Windows edition that includes Group Policy Editor. You can configure the Turn off System Restore option as follows.

    Select an alternative Restore Point

    Selecting an alternative restore point might do the trick, but just elect a restore point that goes further back than the original one selected. The further back the restore point, the better, but keep in mind that System Restore also removes software. You can select the Show more restore points check box on the System Restore window to expand the number of points listed.

    Run System File Checker

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    Maybe there are some system files that need fixing. If that’s the case, the SFC might fix the System Restore error. You can run that tool as follows.

    Close antivirus software

    It’s often the case that antivirus software can block System Restore. For example, Norton Antivirus has a Norton Product Tamper Protection setting that prevents System Restore from running. Closing your background virus software, or at least disabling it, could feasibly fix the error.

    Use System Restore in Safe Mode

    Those are some fixes for System Restore‘s “failed to extract the file/original copy” error. As a last resort, you could also reinstall Windows as covered in this Windows Report article. However, there are usually better ways to fix System Restore.

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