This document covers:


System Restore
Using System Restore
Create a Restore Point
Turn off System Restore
Turn System Restore off
Turn on System Restore
Turn System Restore on
Restore my computer to an earlier time
Set a restore point
Clear system restore

Introduction:

System restore allows you to take a snapshot of your system, the programs on it and it’s settings so that if anything happens to your system’s stability you may reset it back to the way it was when the snapshot was taken. As well as creating your own restore points, the system automatically creates “system checkpoints” at intervals. Certain programs will also create restore points during their installation.

The restore process is completely reversible and does not delete any emails, files, etc. which you may have created during the time since the restored snapshot. It simply recreates the way the system was at that time. However if you had installed programs or made certain changes to your system then these will change back to the way they were when the snapshot was initially taken.

Overview:

System Restore’s uses vary. It is good practice to create a restore point before the installation of new hardware or software; for instance a printer or new application; so that if anything goes wrong you can always start again. And if an installation goes wrong then it may even be possible to find a usable “System checkpoint” if you hadn’t actually created a restore point yourself . Occasionally the process can be used to recover from a virus attack if the point at which the attack occurred is known. Simply restoring back to a point before the attack may get rid of the virus; however this technique may not always work properly and in any case it would be safer to follow up with a full system virus scan from a properly up to date antivirus program.

Turning on and off system restore:

(NB-if you turn System Restore off you will loose all your old restore points - only turn if off if you no longer need it)

• Click Start->Control panels->performance and maintenance->system to open the system properties. Alternatively right click on “my computer” on your desktop.
• Click on the “System Restore” tab.
• Adjust the tick in the box “Turn off System Restore on all drives” appropriately. Note that a tick in this box turns OFF System Restore.
• Click “apply” and “ok”.
• Usually system restore will be switched on and left on. If you switch it off then all your previous restore points will be lost.

N.B. System restore uses 12% of your hard drive space so it may not be suitable for you if hard drive space is limited. However 12% gives a good few restore points so you can limit it to half that by hitting the settings button on the restore tab if you need to have it enabled but can’t spare the full 12%.

Creating a restore point:

• Click start->all programs->accessories->system tools->system restore
• Tick the box create a restore point
• Click next
• Type a meaningful name for the restore point. Eg “Before printer installation”
• Click create ( process may take a moment )
• Click close

Restore your PC to an earlier time:

• Click start->all programs->accessories->system tools->system restore

• Tick the box “Restore my computer to an earlier time”
• Click next.
• In the calendar on the left, any dates which are in bold type have restore points in them. If none of the dates are in bold then check that system restore is turned on and then create a restore point as in the last section.
• Click on a date that you wish to restore your PC to.
• In the right hand column, the available restore points are listed. Often there is only one point. Tip: A “System checkpoint” is a restore point that was created on that date automatically by System Restore.
• Click on your choice of restore point from the list.
• Click next.
• Click next again.
• The PC will restart. It can sometimes take up to an hour to restore the computer, although it is usually only a matter of minutes. Do not interfere with the process unless you are sure the PC has crashed.
• After the PC restarts you will get a System Restore screen explaining what has happened; simply press Ok.

Clearing system restore information: ( used during virus removal )

System Restore stores information about your PC’s past state(s) on your hard drive. Sometimes it may become necessary to erase this information. For instance if your PC has been attacked by a virus or some other form of malware then any restore points created since the virus may contain the malware. Clearing restore points and turning off System Restore before a virus removal is often standard procedure.

• First turn System Restore off and on and then back off again. ( see above )
• Open my computer ( either from the desktop or the start menu )
• Right click on your main hard drive ( often Local Disk C:) and select properties
• Click the “disk cleanup” button
• In the window which opens up see if there is a reference to System Restore. If there is make sure there is a tick in it.
• You can set the other ticks any way you like, but if you are unsure about what you are doing then take the ticks out and just leave the System Restore ticked. If there is no system restore simply press cancel to finish.
• To delete the system restore files, click OK and then YES.
• Click Ok to close the window.
• Repeat the above procedure for all your drives/partitions.
• You can turn system restore back on after you have removed all malware from your system.