Using Windows restore points
Because computers can go wrong, Windows has the System Restore facility. This makes a backup of all your system settings and allows you to go back to a previous setup to fix a problem.
It is important to remember that this doesn’t backup your data files, it also won’t wipe them if you go back to an earlier point.
Before running System restore close all programs, disable your virus protection and disconnect from the Internet.
To open the program, click Start, Programs, Accessories ,System Tools and System Restore.
The System Restore wizard will start and ask if you want to restore to an earlier time or create a new restore point. Creating a new restore point is recommended if you are going to install some software or make changes to your system.
To go back, choose the “restore to an earlier time” button and click Next.
A calendar will appear in the next screen. The dates in bold are when restore points were created. You can click next to the month to move between different months.
Select a date before you noticed the problem first appearing, on the right hand side it will list the restore points made on that day and a description on why the computer made that point. Choose whichever point seems right and click Next.
You will then be asked to confirm the restore point. Click Next.
The computer will take some time to go through the restore process, an hour is not unknown. You must not do anything to the computer while it is running. Eventually it will ask to restart which you should do.
On restarting, it will give you a summary of what happened. Unfortunately, it’s not unknown for the restore process to fail. If that happens, then go through the process again and choose another point.
System restore is very much prone to failing, particularly if you have a spyware or virus infection. If this happens, you may need to contact your local computer tech.
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August 10th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
[...] Free help with common IT problems « Slow computer Using Windows restore points [...]
December 18th, 2007 at 10:14 pm
[...] One way is to run System Restore tool which we’ve described in a previous post. [...]
December 31st, 2007 at 2:07 am
[...] The simplest way is to go back to an earlier restore point. We’ve described how to do this in an earlier post. [...]
April 29th, 2008 at 4:54 am
[...] The next step is to do a System Restore. We have instructions on a previous post. [...]