System Restore 0x80070002 error on Windows 10/8/7/Vista (Solved)
The problem: On a Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista computer System Restore did not complete successfully and fails with error: "An unspecified error occurred during System Restore (0x80070002)" or "System Restore Failed due to an Unspecified Error. The System Cannot Find The File Specified (0x8007002)".
This guide contains instructions to troubleshoot the System Restore 0x80070002 error: System Restore did not completed successfully. (Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7 or Vista).
How to fix: System Restore failed with Error 0x80070002
Important: Before proceeding to the methods below, to resolve the System Restore 0x80070002 error, try the following:
a. Scan your system for Viruses & Malware.
b. Disable your Security/Antivirus Software.
c. Try to use another Restore Point.
d. Try to run System Restore from Safe Mode or from Clean Boot state.
Notes about this guide:
1. If you cannot start Windows normally, then you have to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment, in order to apply the methods mentioned in this article.
2. To boot into the recovery environment, you must start your computer from a Windows Installation Media (USB or DVD) with the same Windows Edition and Bit version as the installed Windows Version/Edition. (e.g. Windows 7 Home, 64-bit)
3. If you don't own a Windows Installation Media, then you can create one by using the Creation Media Tool offered by Microsoft.
Related articles:
- How to create a Windows 10 USB installation media.
- How to create a Windows 10 DVD installation media.
Method-1. Fix and Repair Hard Errors with CHKDSK.
The first method to repair the System Restore error 0x80070002, is to find and repair errors on your disk by using the Chkdsk utility:
1. Open Command Prompt with Administrative Privileges {Command Prompt (Admin)}.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
- chkdsk /R
3. (If asked) Type the Y key and press Enter, to run the CHKDSK utility at the next reboot. Close command prompt and restart your computer.
4. After running CHKDSK try to run System Restore again.
Method-2. Scan and Repair System Files using System File Checker (SFC) utility.
The second method to fix the System Restore error 0x80070002, is to scan and fix corruptions in Windows system files.
1. Open Command Prompt with Administrative Privileges {Command Prompt (Admin)}.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:
- sfc /scannow
3. After running SFC tool, restart your computer and run System Restore.
Method-3. Remove Windows Update Files.
The Windows Updates Files are stored into the SoftwareDistribution folder (C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution). Some times this folder becomes corrupted and needed to re-create it, in order to download and install updates from scratch.
To rebuild (re-create) the “SoftwareDistribution” folder follow the steps below:
1. Open Windows Services control panel: To do that:
-
- Press Windows
+ R keys to open the run command box. - In the Search box, type: services.msc & click OK.
- (Accept the UAC warning if appears).
- Press Windows
2. In Services control panel locate the Windows Update service.
3. Right-click on Windows Update service and select Stop.
4. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to: C:\Windows folder.
5. Find and Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder.
6. Restart you computer.
7. After restart run System Restore and try to restore your system to a previous working state.
Method-4. Uninstall Corrupted Programs or Services.
If the System Restore error message, reports in which file, program or service the restore operation fails (e.g. "The system cannot find the specified file…" or "System restore failed to replace the file C:\Program Files (x86)\<Program Name>) try to uninstall the reported program. After uninstall, restart your system try to restore your system.
Additionally: Navigate to Event Viewer > Windows Logs, and look at "Application" and "System" logs, for warning events with Error "The system cannot find the file specified". Then, examine these warnings to find out which program or service causes the problem and then uninstall the culprit program or service. After uninstall, restart your system and run system restore.
That’s all folks! Did it work for you?
Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better: like and share this blog post in the social networks to help spread the word about this guide.
July 18, 2026 @ 6:59 pm
My problem was with old Junkware program which requests system restore point, it was always returning “Validating restore point… FAILED 0x80070002” none registry or com adjustment didn’t help. Final solution was to stop windows update service, rename the Softwaredistribution folder and start windows update again. Now the program validates system point = success