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Question System Fix Not Working

Question System Fix Not Working

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ArceusHD
Member
154
10-21-2026, 08:45 PM
#1
I had trouble with an "explorer.exe application error" when shutting down, so none of my usual fixes worked. I tried doing a System Restore from about three weeks ago, and it said everything was fine. But the computer wouldn't turn on; it just kept spinning in a loop. When Automatic Repair didn't help, I chose option 2/16 to go back to an older restore point, and that fixed things. Is this a sign of a serious Windows problem, or is it normal for System Restores to fail like this?
A
ArceusHD
10-21-2026, 08:45 PM #1

I had trouble with an "explorer.exe application error" when shutting down, so none of my usual fixes worked. I tried doing a System Restore from about three weeks ago, and it said everything was fine. But the computer wouldn't turn on; it just kept spinning in a loop. When Automatic Repair didn't help, I chose option 2/16 to go back to an older restore point, and that fixed things. Is this a sign of a serious Windows problem, or is it normal for System Restores to fail like this?

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Xx_narutoBG_Xx
Junior Member
2
10-22-2026, 04:22 AM
#2
I don't bother using System Restore much anymore, back when I had 10 years of experience. But it can still break. In my old days, it would sometimes show an error saying "System Restore failed to complete." Probably fewer than five percent of the time. I never remember a situation where it said okay and then I couldn't turn on the computer again. Since it's not very dependable for anything, what you should try is something better...like creating a full backup or disk image. Just use that as your last resort when System Restore doesn't work.
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Xx_narutoBG_Xx
10-22-2026, 04:22 AM #2

I don't bother using System Restore much anymore, back when I had 10 years of experience. But it can still break. In my old days, it would sometimes show an error saying "System Restore failed to complete." Probably fewer than five percent of the time. I never remember a situation where it said okay and then I couldn't turn on the computer again. Since it's not very dependable for anything, what you should try is something better...like creating a full backup or disk image. Just use that as your last resort when System Restore doesn't work.

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RM123
Member
195
10-23-2026, 05:23 AM
#3
The system restore won't actually delete the corrupted files. It just lets you undo recent changes like bad drivers or apps that might be causing the problem. If your Windows installation has image backups turned on, those tools can really fix it: type sfc /scannow to check and run file repair, then use dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to restore files from a full backup.
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RM123
10-23-2026, 05:23 AM #3

The system restore won't actually delete the corrupted files. It just lets you undo recent changes like bad drivers or apps that might be causing the problem. If your Windows installation has image backups turned on, those tools can really fix it: type sfc /scannow to check and run file repair, then use dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to restore files from a full backup.

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FranciscoT
Junior Member
14
Yesterday, 06:57 PM
#4
I am getting lots of bugs after I did a System Restore: 1. I ran another sfc /scannow and it said my Windows files were broken 2. Simple stuff like MS Paint isn't working anymore 3. Other games I installed recently now have bad files 4. Still having errors when Explorer.exe runs. Is there anything I can do to help my computer fix itself after the System Restore so everything goes back to normal?
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FranciscoT
Yesterday, 06:57 PM #4

I am getting lots of bugs after I did a System Restore: 1. I ran another sfc /scannow and it said my Windows files were broken 2. Simple stuff like MS Paint isn't working anymore 3. Other games I installed recently now have bad files 4. Still having errors when Explorer.exe runs. Is there anything I can do to help my computer fix itself after the System Restore so everything goes back to normal?

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liamrocks911
Junior Member
38
9 hours ago
#5
I don't get why I need to reinstall games, because a System Restore can't fix installed programs or files. It's weird though; the only game that went corrupted was the one that started the crash in the first place. Also, super curious: why do you use /Dism.exe /repair instead of /Dism /restorehealth? Every website says "restorehealth" is what to type, but I've never seen "repair". Is repair better?
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liamrocks911
9 hours ago #5

I don't get why I need to reinstall games, because a System Restore can't fix installed programs or files. It's weird though; the only game that went corrupted was the one that started the crash in the first place. Also, super curious: why do you use /Dism.exe /repair instead of /Dism /restorehealth? Every website says "restorehealth" is what to type, but I've never seen "repair". Is repair better?