Create a System Restore Point in Windows 7
When System Restore was introduced in back in Windows Me it has helped save some major computer snafus on several occasions. The feature is still included in the new Windows 7 operating system and today we will take a look at how to create a new restore point.
Create a Restore Point
It is recommended that you create a restore point before installing new software or making any major changes to your computer. Often times when you install new software you’re given the choice to create a point but if not you can do one manually as well.
Right-click on My Computer and go to Properties.
Next click on the System Protection link.
The System Properties dialog screen opens up and you will want to click on Create.
Type in a description for the restore point which will help you remember the point at which is was created.
The time it takes to create the restore point will depend on the amount of data, computer speed etc.
All done! Now if something goes wrong you have the satisfaction knowing that you can go back in time to the point before the changes were made.
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So, in this OS, are restore points actually going to work, meaning actually restore? Or will it be like in XP where every restore point you try to restore gives you the error message, “System can not restore this restore point”.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention this. Just ask anyone in IT about what an epic fail System Restore is in Windows XP.
System Restore has saved me many times, when I have tried to install programs and have made a mess of it. Windows ME was useless, so I don’t think I used it then, I got rid of that OS ASAP! But with Windows XP and Vista it has been a must have and must use utility in my toolbox.
Mr Bill
I would agree that System Restore has gotten better than when it first came out. In Vista and Windows 7, it is now much more reliable, but you still need to test it. Easy to do on a single machine, but difficult on a large deployment.
Still, even with the latest versions of System Restore there are times when it won’t work or won’t do what you need. Having a Restore Point available is NOT as good as having a full backup. Also, remember that System Restore does not operate on most data files, only system and program files.
I am using Windows 7 RTM, and have installed quite a few of my programs already. Uninstalling some of them is a pain as Windows 7 complains they are not truly installed for some reasons…
I uninstalled one of these program using Revo Uninstaller and it created a system restore for me automatically. It then removed the program and told me it was gone. I rebooted the PC and could not boot at all. It was freezing with weird colors in the background.
It was my first experience with not being able to boot in Windows 7, and I used the System Restore (which was also a first) and everything is working like a charm.
I can’t say for other OS, but this Windows System Restore option saved my OS this time.
Now that I know how to manually create some, I might just do that to help me in the long run.
Dominic
Hi, in XP restore point could go backwards months to set point through out the year. I can’t seem to do that with Windows 7 is there something I am not seeing. The features went back to the beginning of the month but that was it. I set the restore point feature when I installed which has beed two months now back in August. Thought maybe you might be able to respond. Thanks