How Do I Perform A System Restore in Windows?AA-02694When problems occur on a computer that had been working correctly before, it is often due to changes made to that computer, typically the installation of new software. Sometimes those changes are so extensive that they make the computer unstable. Under such circumstances, it is possible to undo those changes with the utility called System Restore. If the problem encountered is due to changes made by software, this utility may help solve the problem.
Introduced with Windows XP, the utility called System Restore will allow one to revert to a point at which the computer was known to be working correctly. Unless it has been disabled, System Restore periodially records and stores information about the computer that it calls restore points. It is also possible to create a specific restore point. It is a good idea to do so, for instance, before installing a new program to the computer. To perform a System Restore in Windows XP, take the following steps: 1. Close all programs currently running on the computer.To perform a System Restore in Windows Vista or Windows 7, take the following steps: 1. Close all programs running on the computer.When selecting a restore point keep in mind that it is good to choose as recent a point as possible. If the restore does not immediately correct the problem, the process can be repeated to choose an even earlier restore point. Once a restore point has been selected and applied, points that had been made after it will no longer be available. Last Update: ELM/May 28, 2010 |