How To Use System Restore
System restore is a function available to Windows XP users that will revert a personal computer or laptop to a previously saved state. System restore can be enabled or disabled depending on the preference of the user. Once enabled, it will automatically create restore points to be used in the event that there is a system crash, or infiltration by a virus, spyware or Trojan. If it is disabled, manual restore points can be created that will be used to revert the computer.
When should system restore be used?
When a new computer is setup, it is a good idea to run system restore on the very first day it is bought. This will create a system restore point before personalization begins. In the event that the computer needs to be sold, this restore point can be used to make the programs on the computer’s hard drive “like new” or exactly as they were was on the day it was bought.
What does system restore change?
Files such as documents and pictures will not be deleted when using system restore. If for example, there is a restore point created in January after which photos are added to the My Pictures folder and a browser toolbar is installed, once the system restore that was created in January is used, the pictures will still be in their folder, while the toolbar will be removed. Pictures, emails and documents will remain, while programs will be removed or reverted to the state they were in on the day the restore point was created.
How to use system restore
1. Go to the Start menu, and select “All Programs” and then “Accessories”. From there, click “System Tools” and then “System Restore”
2. Check to see that the maximum amount of disk space is allotted for system restore on the computer and that it is turned on.
3. Click on the system restore wizard option and select “ restore my computer to a previous time” then select next
4. A calendar will come up that will allow the user to select they date they wish to restore a computer to. (If a new program was installed on January 5, that is giving problems, select January 1 as the restore point.)
5. Click next and verify that the restore point was selected
6. Close all open programs and click next to proceed with the system restore
7. The computer will shut down and then reboot (this may take longer than usual).
8. When finished, “restoration complete” will appear on the screen and the computer will be restored to the state it was in on the selected date.
Tips and warnings
* To turn System Restore on or off – go to the System restore tab. Once there, check the box beside “turn off system restore”. If system restore is turned off, all saved restore points will be lost
* Once system restore is used, and then opened again, the option will come up to undo the last restoration
* System restore will save as many restore points as it can based on the space allocated by the user.
* It is recommended that restore points be created before the installation of new programs or before an existing program is removed
No comments:
Post a Comment