How to Restore Your System in Windows

Microsoft Windows has a built in program called “System Restore” that is designed to help you recover your computer in the event of a catastrophe. If you get a virus or experience other issues that are playing havoc with the way your machine operates, you can run “System Restore” and reverse the whole machine back to a previous state. This will allow your machine to operate the same way it did before the problems ever appeared in the first place. If you want to run “System Restore,” you just have to know where to look for the program. It’s already installed on your computer, so no additional downloads or purchases are required.

Step 1

Open “System Restore” on your Windows computer. This can be accomplished by clicking “Start,” “All Programs,” “Accessories,” “System Tools” and finally on the icon for the program in that order.

Step 2

Click “Next” in the window that appears on screen. This will allow you to view a complete list of all the “Restore Points” that have been created on your computer. These “Restore Points” will be logged in chronological order by date, with the newest point being listed first.

Step 3

Click on the “Restore Point” that you want to use. You should choose a “Restore Point” based on when the problem with your computer first occurred. If you first started experiencing problems on the 10^th of the month, for example, pick any point from the list that is dated before that. Click “Next” to confirm your selection.

Step 4

Click “Finish.” This will begin the process of rolling back your computer to the way it operated on the specified date.

Step 5

Wait patiently for the process to finish. Do not attempt to use your computer or shut it down during this process. Doing so could potentially result in damage to the system files on your machine. When the process is finished you will be notified with an indicator box on screen. You may then go about using your computer as normal, free of the issues you have been having.