Windows XP / Beginners

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Running System Restore

The eventful day finally arrives, and someone has done something improper to a computer in your environment. Now it doesn't boot or it acts erratically. Whatever the problem, you can use System Restore to bring your computer back to an earlier time when it was functioning appropriately. The following steps show you how to use System Restore.

Restoring the System If You Can Boot Windows

1. Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.
2. Click the Restore My Computer to an Earlier Time radio button, then click Next.
3. A calendar and a selection list are presented to you. You can select different days to find a desired restore point. If you did not create a restore point, you should choose to use the latest one available. The latest one will be listed first in the current or previous day window. Select a restore point and click Next.
4. A message appears telling you to save all files and close all open applications. Do so, then click the Next button.
5. Restoration takes place on your computer, and your computer automatically reboots once the restoration is complete. Click OK to the restoration message that appears once you reboot.

Restoring the System If You Cannot Boot Windows

1. Turn on your computer and hold down CTRL or F8 until you see the Startup menu options.
2. Choose Safe Mode, then press ENTER.
3. Once Windows boots, a screen appears asking whether you want to do a diagnostic check of the system. Click No. System Restore will automatically start.
4. Click the Restore My Computer to an Earlier Time radio button, then click Next.
5. A calendar and a selection list are presented to you. You can select different days to find a desired restore point. If you did not create a restore point, you should choose to use the latest one available. The latest one will be listed first in the current or previous day window. Select a restore point and click Next.
6. A message appears telling you to save all files and close all open applications. Do so, then click the Next button.
7. Your computer automatically reboots once the restoration is complete. Click OK in response to the restoration message that appears after booting has taken place.

A restoration does not affect current documents, files, e-mail messages, and so on. However, if you installed an application after the last restore point was made, you will need to reinstall that application.

Undoing a Restoration

What happens if the restore doesn't go so well? What if there is a problem with the restore that leaves Windows XP in worse shape, or even unbootable? Good news: Restoration is completely reversible, and the following two sections show you how to reverse a restoration.

Reversing a Restoration If You Can Boot Your Computer

1. Click Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore.
2. In the System Restore window, click the Undo My Last Restoration radio button, then click Next.
   Note The Undo My Last Restoration option does not appear unless you have previously run a restoration.
3. Close any open files or applications, click OK, then click Next.
4. The previous restoration is removed and your computer reboots. Click OK in response to the restoration message that appears after the reboot.

Undoing a Restoration If You Cannot Boot into Windows

1. Turn on your computer and hold down CTRL or F8 until you see the Startup menu options.
2. Choose Safe Mode, then press ENTER.
3. Once Windows boots, the Help screen that appears gives you the option to restore your computer. Click the System Restore link.
4. Click the Undo My Last Restoration radio button, then click Next.
5. A message appears telling you to save all files and close all open applications. Do so, then click the Next button. Your computer is rebooted once the restoration has been removed.