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Perform System Restore

System Restore


One of the most helpful utility that Windows XP incorporates is the System Restore utility. This utility enables you to roll your system back or restore it to a previous state when your system becomes unstable due to improper system configurations and incompatible software and hardware device drivers.


How It Works


By default, system restore is turned on a computer running Windows XP. System Restore monitors a set of system and application configurations for changes and each time you modify a setting or perform any of the following, system restore automatically takes a snapshot of the changes and creates a restore point.


  • An unsigned device driver is installed
  • A new application is installed
  • A Windows Update or service pack is applied to your system
  • A Restore Point from earlier is restored
  • A backup using the Backup Utility is restored.

Nevertheless, you can also manually create a restore point and set system restore to create restore points at various intervals. When your computer becomes unstable after erroneous changes to a Windows or application setting, you can restore your computer to a specific restore point to undo whatever changes that has resulted in the instability.


To restore your computer to a specific restore point, follow these steps:


  • Log on to Windows as Administrator
  • Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories
  • Point to System Tools, and select System Restore
  • On the Welcome To System Restore page, click Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time


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  • Click Next


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  • Select the data and action to restore to and click Next
  • At the confirmation page, click OK

To create a restore point, follow these steps:


  • Log on to Windows as Administrator
  • Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories
  • Point to System Tools, and select System Restore
  • On the Welcome To System Restore page, click Create A Restore Point


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  • Click Next, and then click Create
  • Enter a name for the restore point and click Next


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  • Click Close


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More Information


In certain situations whereby you're only allowed to boot into Windows via Safe Mode, restoring your computer to a restore point can resolve the problem. This is provided that the issue is caused by erroneous changes to your system and application settings. System Restore also uses a portion of your hard disk to collectively store the various restore points as your computer is used over time. This process is performed automatically in the background without any management or intervention required by the user. Therefore, you might notice that some disk space is reserved and taken away for use to contain the restore points archive. You can however disable System Restore to reclaim the disk space back.


To do this, follow these steps:


  • At the desktop, right click on My Computer
  • Select Properties
  • Click on the System Restore tab
  • Select the option to Turn Off All System Restore



  • Click OK