System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos.
Sometimes, the installation of a program or a driver can cause an unexpected change to your computer or cause Windows to behave unpredictably. Usually, uninstalling the program or driver corrects the problem. If uninstalling doesn't fix the problem, you can try restoring your computer's system to an earlier date when everything worked correctly.
System Restore uses a feature called system protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually. For information about creating restore points, see Create a restore point.
System image backups stored on hard disks can also be used for System Restore, just like the restore points created by system protection. Even though system image backups contain both your system files and personal data, your data files will not be affected by System Restore. For more information about system images, see What is a system image?
Important: System Restore isn't intended for backing up personal files, so it cannot help you recover a personal file that has been deleted or damaged. You should regularly back up your personal files and important data using a backup program.
Open System Restore by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
How To Use System Restore In Windows 7:
Ever wish you could turn back the clock after a bad crash? With Windows, you can.
As said above, sometimes installing a program or driver can make Windows run slowly or unpredictably. System Restore can return your PC's system files and programs to a time when everything was working fine, potentially preventing hours of troubleshooting headaches. It won't affect your documents, pictures, or other data.
In Windows 7, you can create more system restore points and see exactly what files will be removed or added when your PC is restored.
Important: For more protection, use System Restore with Backup and Restore, which is designed to help safeguard email, pictures, documents, and other personal files.
How To use System Restore:
- Before you start System Restore, save any open files and close all programs. System Restore will restart your PC.
- Open System Restore by clicking the Start button.
- In the search box, type System Restore, and then, in the list of results, click System Restore.
- If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
- Follow the steps in the wizard to choose a restore point and restore your computer.
System Restore in Windows 7 can prevent hours of troubleshooting headaches after a crash.
How do I choose a restore point?
System Restore automatically recommends the most recent restore point created before a significant change, such as installing a program. You can also choose from a list of restore points. Try using restore points created just before the date and time you started noticing problems.
The descriptions of the restore points that are created automatically correspond with the name of an event, such as Windows Update installing an update. System Restore returns your computer to the state that it was in before the restore point that you chose.