How to Use System Restore

What is System Restore? How can this Windows utility be used? Here's some information on instructions for using System Restore in Windows 7 and Windows XP.

System Restore is a Windows utility which performs a very important function of restoring the system files on your computer in event of a system failure or damage to these files. There are times when undesirable changes take place in your system files due to the installation of a software or a driver. By running System Restore, you can take your computer back to a prior check point. Thanks to the System Restore utility, you have an opportunity of rolling back the registry keys and system files to a previous check point. Whenever there is any significant change in the file or application structure, System Restore creates restore points. It saves snapshots of your system. The snapshots or the restore points contain information on registry settings and system information. Thus, this feature restores your computer to an earlier date in order to undo the undesirable system changes.

Using System Restore in Windows 7

Now that you have a basic idea about what System Restore is used for, here are instructions for using System Restore in Windows 7:

To use System Restore, navigate to the All Programs menu and then click on Accessories.

After clicking on the Accessories, navigate and click on the System Tools program group.

Now click on System Restore icon.

Then click on Next on the Restore system files and settings window.

Select the restore point that you wish to use. You can also go to the Show more restore points check box to find the restore points that were created recently.

Select the restore point and click Next.

Now click on Finish on the Confirm your restore point window in order to start System Restore.

Click on Yes on the dialog box to continue.

System Restore will take a few minutes in order to restore Windows 7 in accordance with the restore point selected by you.

Once this process is over, the computer will reboot.

After the computer reboots and you have logged in to Windows 7, a message about the successful completion of System Restore will appear on the screen.

Now click on Close.

Using System Restore in Windows XP

Here's what you need to do to use this Windows utility in Windows XP:

To use System Restore in Windows XP, you need to navigate to the Start button. Click on All Programs menu and then click on Accessories.

After clicking on Accessories, you need to click on the System Tools program and select System Restore.

Select the Restore my computer to an earlier time button and then click on Next.

The next step is selecting the date on the calendar given on the left side.

Now you need to select a restore point in order to restore your settings as per the date you selected.

Click on Next. Again click on Next when the Confirm Restore Point Selection window appears.

If you have any programs that are open, save them now, because Windows XP will be shutting down.

Once System Restore has restored your computer to the restore point you wanted, the computer will reboot.

Once you have logged in, you will see the Restoration Complete message.

Click on OK.

With this, the task of restoring Windows XP to a prior checkpoint is complete.

At times, System Restore may not work owing to an interference caused due to anti-virus software or lack of free disk space. Whenever there is a problem with System Restore, you should run the computer in Safe Mode. You should also free disk space so that System Restore has the required space that it needs for proper functioning. Now that you have the necessary instructions on using System Restore, use this windows utility if the system seems to have become unstable.