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I'm trying to automate a script that runs to enable system restore upon startup (yes, every time my PC boots). I found this PowerShell script that seems to work when entered directly into a PowerShell terminal window.

Enable-ComputerRestore -Drive "C:"

But I want to turn it into a script file to run by placing in the Startup folder. I've tried entering this script into notepad, saving as "All Files" as a ".ps1" and then set that file extension to open with PowerShell as the default app. But it loads a red error that quickly vanishes as the terminal window closes.

I usually place .bat files in the startup to launch programs, and I understand this can be done to launch a .ps1 file, but right now the .ps1 doesn't even work when launched by PowerShell that I set as its default app.

Is there an easier way to automate Enabling system restore silently preferably through a .bat script?

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2 Answers 2

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The error you see in the pop-up will be around your PowerShell execution policy.

You have a few options;

  1. Wrap your Powershell code in a batch file to bypass it so

PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "Enable-ComputerRestore -Drive 'C:'"

  1. Unblock the script with something like
Unblock-File -Path pathhere\script.ps1
  1. Change your execution policy to RemoteSigned or Unrestricted like so

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

For more info on PowerShell execution policy you can refer to this page https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.core/about/about_execution_policies?view=powershell-7.3

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  • Thanks! But I'm confused, if the powershell code is bypassed by inserting within a batch file, why would I need to add another script to unblock it?
    – Unflawed6180
    Mar 8 at 16:12
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The following command enables System Restore on the C:\ drive.

wmic.exe /namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call enable "C:\"

Alternatively, use the PowerShell.exe command-line suggested to you by @Kuypotta.

Note: In either case, you must create a scheduled task for one of the commands and configure it to run at login. It won't work from the Startup folder.

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  • Thanks. Is your version a purely .bat-compatible script, without any needs to change permissions or other prerequisites other than task scheduler?
    – Unflawed6180
    Mar 8 at 16:13
  • Of course. It can be run from a Batch file as an administrator. Without admin rights, it's impossible to enable or disable System Restore. Also, you may need to use the full path to wmic.exe (C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIC.exe) if WBEM is not in the Path.
    – w32sh
    Mar 8 at 16:18
  • I use Windows Pro 11 at Home, so I guess no WBEM. Does that mean the full script looks like this? C:\Windows\System32\wbem\WMIC.exe /namespace:\\root\default Path SystemRestore Call enable "C:\"
    – Unflawed6180
    Mar 9 at 17:33
  • Why not run the command instead of guessing something? It should work on Home as well as Pro. Yes, the command-line you posted is correct. WMIC component is installed by default. Unless you removed the WMIC FOD manually via Settings → Apps, WMIC.exe should be present in the computer.
    – w32sh
    Mar 10 at 6:50
  • I don't just run commands because I always get errors and then have to back track because I didn't know something that I should have. This is why I asked here, because I want to learn in advance, instead of unnecessary hindsight.
    – Unflawed6180
    Mar 11 at 16:10

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