Windows 10: System Restore consistently fails

Whenever I attempt a system restore, from any of the available restore points, I'm consistently given the following error:


System Restore did not complete successfully. Your computer's system files and settings were not changed.


Details:

System Restore failed to replace the file

(C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Containers\BaseImages\8c68c8ca-eeff-41cd-89ff

with its original copy from the restore point.

An unspecified error occurred during System Restore. (0x80070780)


I have attempted:

- Restoring from different restore points

- Unticking "Load startup items" under Selective Startup, in System Configuration

- Disabling all non-Microsoft services, in System Configuration

- Attempting a system restore after using Safe boot (Minimal)

- Uninstalling MalwareBytes (the only anti-malware program I use in addition to Windows Defender)


I am running Windows 10 Pro 1809

Windows is installed on an SSD

All my attempts have been done from my computer's Administrator account

:)

 

Failed to complete System Restore

Hello Passegua,

The error code 0x80070005 may indicate a few things that are causing System Restore Failure. It could be corrupted system files, conflict with other programs such as Anti-virus protection, and etc. As a first troubleshooting step, we suggest
that you perform System restore in Safe Mode. Kindly refer to this link for more information and steps.

Another step that I can suggest is Clean Boot, if the above step fails.

Let us know the outcome.

 

System Restore fails: AppxStaging %ProgramFiles%\WindowsApp 0x80070091


Steps taken.
Part 1/
Install W10. User -Test (No additional updates. No OEM drivers)
Create Restore Point -"Pristine"
Make a system alteration. ie; D/L and Install Google Chrome.
System Restore to RP "Pristine". (Note: Chrome should be gone.)
Successful. Chrome is gone and Edge reset. ??? Chromesetup file removed from \downloads??? Why???
New Restore Point - "Undo Restore" created by system.

Step 2/
D/L and install KB3213986. Reboot.
Make a system alteration. ie; D/L and Install Google Chrome.
Create Restore Point - "Update 1 Chrome"
Make a system alteration. Uninstall Chrome.
System Restore. (Note: Chrome should come back but may not work correctly.)
Fail. 0x80070091

To me that represents a conclusive result.

The next obvious thing to do was to roll back the Update, assuming that this will fix System Restore. However, rolling back the Update DID NOT restore the functionality of System Restore. So now my confident claim, above, is a bit shaky. If performing the update does in fact cause the issue, removing it doesn't put it right.

So now, the next obvious thing is to perform the WindowsApps rename or deletion process, to apply the fix, and run a series of testing to see if System Restore becomes stable.

Results.
Performing the WindowsApps rename fix, instead of deleting it this time, once again resulted in System Restore operating correctly. I have been able to install the remaining updates and flip back and forth between Restore Points without issue.

At this point I am done with it. My testing shows that:

• It is update KB3213986 that causes the problem to occur in the first instance.

• Rolling back the update does not correct the problem.

• Performing the known fix returns System Restore functionality.

• For how long, we don't yet know.

Should you wish to rename the WindowsApps directory rather than delete it, the attrib WindowsApps -h command line can only be performed after the icacls command line.

 

System Restore fail on Windows 10 Error 0x80070091

Here is a link to yet another fix that is a bit more complicated....

[FIX] System Restore Failed While Restoring The Directory From The Restore Point