System Restore is a tool that takes your computer back to a previously working state. This option is available in Windows ME, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Windows takes snapshots of critical system files,
program files and registry settings and stores them as "
Restore Points". If ever you should have any problem with your computer, you can "restore" your computer to one of these Restore Points,
when your computer was working fine.
Please remember - System restore does NOT have any effect on your personal files such as emails, documents or photographs.
HOW TO USE SYSTEM RESTORE TO RESTORE WINDOWS XP TO A PREVIOUSLY WORKING STATE
In order to perform a System Restore, you must have administrative rights in your computer. If this is your own personal computer, then chances are that you will be having administrative rights in it, however if you are on a network computer, say for example in a computer at your workplace, then you will have to request your Network Administrator to help you.
In order to restore Windows to a previously working "
Restore Point" follow the steps given below:
1. Log on to Windows with administrative rights.
2. Click
Start, go to
All Programs, go to
Accessories, go to
System Tools, and then click
System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the
Welcome to System Restore page, click
Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click
Next. 4. On the
Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system restore point and then click
Next.
Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click
OK.
5. On the
Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click
Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
6. Log on back to your computer. The System Restore
Restoration Complete page is displayed.
7. Click
OK.
If you have successfully restored your computer to a previous state, and the computer is
performing as it should be, you can stop here.
But if the restore process completed successfully and the computer is still not performing as you want, you can either
restore your computer to a different restore point or just
undo the current System Restore. In order to
undo a System Restore, please continue reading.
HOW TO RUN SYSTEM RESTORE FROM THE COMMAND PROMPT?
Many times, you may not be able to run System Restore because your computer will not
start up normally. But you can still run System Restore from the command prompt.
-
Click on Start -> Run -> and type in %systemrestore%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe and click OK
OR
-
Start up the computer in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Command Prompt
- At the Command Prompt type %systemrestore%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
- You can replace %systemrestore% with C:\Windows, if you like
- You might have to select the Operating System in your computer
- You might also have to enter your username and password
- You should have Administrator Rights in your computer to do this.
HOW TO UNDO A SYSTEM RESTORE:
You may have unintentionally restored Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration, follow these steps:
1. Log on to Windows with
administrative rights.
2. Click
Start, go to
All Programs, go to Accessories, go to
System Tools, and then click
System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click
Undo my last restoration, and then click
Next.
Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click
OK.
4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click
Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
5.
Logon to the computer as
Administrator. The
System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
6.
Click
OK.
You can now
run System Restore again from a
Different Restore Point.
, type system restore in the Start
Search box, and then click System
Restore in the Programs list.
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