I get an error message that Windows System Restore failed?

It's been 4.5 years since this issue was reported - is there really not enough info here? Does Dropbox not have a QA department?

On reflection, that would explain a lot, and really reinforces that I need to stop using this product....

Hi Ben, to answer the questions:

1. Does this error message completely prevent system restore? Has anyone been able to proceed with the system restore in spite of the error message?

A: Yes, the error completely prevents system restore. The restore point file is useless.  If the computer is unable to boot, then a complete OS wipe and install is required to get running again.

2. For those who cannot proceed with the restore after receiving the error message, does the system restore simply fail/quit as a result of the error?

A: Yes, system restore fails and quits. No system restore is possible, unless there is a restore point that was made PRIOR to the installation of Dropbox.

3. If anyone has been able to proceed with the system restore after receiving this error message, how has the restore affected your Dropbox files?

A: Nobody has been able to proceed with system restore under normal circumstances. It has been reported that a registry edit prior to creation of a restore point will enable the user to create a restore point that works temporarily.  However, when the restore point is overwritten with a more recent one, the registry file causes a problem again. The only solution would be to manually create restore points every week or after any system updates.

I've submitted the issue to Microsoft via the Feedback Hub, but there has not been any response.

Hi Ben

Confirm Greg0422 reply is correct - I’ve never been able to run a system restore since I first raised this issue 

My only work around is to make regular system images and use these if I need to go back to a previous version. Very time consuming but does ensure that I can return to a previous version

If you are actually looking at this then that would be really good

Also the accepted answer at the start of the thread isnt correct - it didnt work and should be removed

Hi greg0422 Mrtatemyballs and RicPennell,

Thanks for your quick reply, and for confirming that this is the case. The team investigating this issue requested that we confirm that system restore was failing entirely, and this info will help us move forward with a resolution.

Richard P.44 You're right. I have removed this as an accepted answer.

I will update this thread when I have more information!

Regards,

Ben

Hi Ben,

I have just run some tests, and this issue might not affect Windows 11.  At any rate, I wasn't able to repro the issue on Windows 11.

I'm in the process of testing on Windows 10. I need to install all the updates first to see if Microsoft has fixed it in an update.

I initially had the issue on a Windows 10 computer.

Ah great, just found out that apparently I ran into a major bug that apparently was dormant in dropbox since years. Just wanted to recover with a system restore point from a bricked windows 10 (probably due to an update or so) just to realize, that the restore point is blocked by drobox...

I hope you'll also find a recovery method for computers that are bricked!

haendy-freak I hate to say this, but I was unable to find a way to edit the restore point and remove the incompatible file.

That means that you can't use the restore point. If you don't have an earlier restore point before Dropbox was installed, and you can't boot the computer, I'm afraid your computer will require a clean install of the OS.  This is what happened to me and I worked with devs at Microsoft (where I also work).