Restore your Computer

There are times when you might need to restore your computer to an earlier version, i.e., you loaded a program that has effected its performance.  There is a Wizard on your computer that can help you do this.  The directions below are for Windows XP, but there is also a wizard on Vista and Windows 7. 

1.    Click on the START button.
2.    Click the All Programs button.
3.    Click the Accessories button.
4.    Scroll down and click the System Tools button.
5.    Move your mouse over to the System Restore button and click it..
6.    The System Restore Wizard opens

Note that you can restore your computer to an earlier time that the computer picks or you can create a restore point.  If you know exactly when things started to go wrong, then you can create a restore point that is earlier that that date.

You will not lose recent work and you can reverse the process and return to your present time.  This is good to know if you are going to make radical changes to your existing computer.  If something goes wrong, you can restore it to the time before you added the changes.

7.    Make your selection and click the Next button.

8a.  If you select Restore my computer to an earlier time, the Select Restore Point window will appear.

        Either click on the calendar to select a date or click a date from the list.  If there is no date listed you will have to click on the calendar.

8b.    If you select Create a restore point, the Create a Restore Point window will appear.

This description can be a specific date and time or anything else that is specific to the computer.

9.        Confirm your restore point selection. 

10a.    If everything in the window is correct, click the Next button.
10b.    If you need to make a change, click the Back button; make changes;
10c.    Click the Next button to move forward. 

11.      Click the Next button to start the restoration process.

The restore process will take place and your computer will shut down Windows.  Once the restoration is complete Windows will restart using the setting from the date and time you selected.

If you wish to undo the restore, go back to the beginning and repeat the steps to get to the System Restore Wizard.  Select  Undo my last restoration in the System Restore window.

Then click Next and your computer will undo the last restoration.