Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Recovering After a Crash or Other Problem

Windows 7 includes a number of features to help you recover your computer and your data in case disaster strikes. The recovery features to use are as follows:

Restore points
Use restore points to fix problems and undo changes to the operating system, programs, and devices.

Previous versions
Use previous versions of files to help you recover files that were accidentally deleted or incorrectly edited.

File recovery from backup
Use file recovery from backup to recover files when previous versions aren't available.

Force restart or shutdown
Use this technique to recover after your computer hangs so that you can restart or shut down.

Failed resume recovery
Use this technique to recover after a failed resume.

Startup repair
Use this technique to repair system files so that you can start the operating system.

System image recovery
Use this technique to recover Windows and install programs in the event that restore points and startup repair do not resolve your problem.

System repair disc
Use this technique to recover your computer if the Windows Recovery Environment partition has been corrupted or you cannot otherwise access the repair tools.

Operating system reinstall
Use this technique to reinstall the operating system in the event that no other recovery technique works.

Table-1 provides an overview of problems you may have that force you to use recovery techniques, and the techniques you should use to resolve the problem.

Table-1 Recovery techniques

Issue	Recovery Technique
Need to recover pictures, music, video, email, documents and other types of important personal files	Use Previous Versions. Use File Recovery from Backup.
Need to resolve resume, restart, or shutdown issues	Use Force Restart or Shutdown, or use Failed Resume Recovery.
Need to resolve startup problem due to corrupt system files	Use Startup Repair. Use system image recovery. Use operating system reinstall.
Need to recover by undoing changes to the operating system, programs, and devices	Use Restore Points. Use system image recovery. Use operating system reinstall.
Need to recover but the recovery tools are not available	Use System Repair disc.