System Restore

From HowToGeek

System Restore is a component of Windows that lets you roll back system files to a previous state, usually so you can get your computer to boot again.

Contents 1 Overview 2 History 2.1 Manually Create A Restore Point (Vista) 3 See Also

Overview

System restore points can be created manually through an interface, but most driver installations and application installations create a restore point automatically.

History

Windows XP creates snapshots based on a filter that makes a copy of system files before they are overwritten by another process. This was also called System File Protection.

Windows Vista has an improved interface and is generally better to work with.

Manually Create A Restore Point (Vista)

You can manually create a restore point when your system is in a known good state.  That way you can choose the exact time and system state that will be used on a subsequent restore operation.  This can be used when you are about to make changes that may cause a problem with the operating system.  Having a manual restore point will allow you to undo the changes.  To manually create a restore point,

• Click Start, choose Control Panel, then choose System

• The System Control Panel window will appear

• On the left-hand navigation bar, choose System Protection

• The System Properties window will appear, the System Protection tab should be selected (see below)

• At the bottom of the window, click on the button labeled Create...

• A new window will appear where you must give your restore point a name.

• When the name has been entered, click the button labeled Create

• Your restore point will be created.

See Also

• Using System Restore In XP
• Using Windows Vista System Restore
• Create a Restore Point for Windows Vista's System Restore
• Reduce System Restore's Disk Usage in Vista
• Disable System Restore in Windows Vista
• Change How Often System Restore Creates Restore Points in Windows Vista
• Make a Shortcut Icon to Create a System Restore Point in Vista

List of Windows Components v
Features	Windows Aero - System Restore - Previous Versions - SuperFetch - User Account Control (UAC) - Offline Files - ReadyDrive - Instant Search - Windows Sidebar - Parental Controls - Speech Recognition - ClearType - DirectX 10 - ReadyBoost - BitLocker - Flip3D - Remote Desktop - Search Folders - Tablet PC - Windows SideShow
Services	Task Scheduler - Desktop Window Manager - Application Experience - Application Host Helper Service - Application Information - Application Layer Gateway Service - Application Management - Background Intelligent Transfer Service - Base Filtering Engine - Block Level Backup Engine Service - Certificate Propagation - COM+ Event System - Computer Browser - DHCPClient
Applications	Notepad - Windows Mail - Internet Explorer - Command Prompt (Cmd.exe) - Windows Calendar - Mobility Center - Task Manager - Photo Gallery - Windows Media Center - Windows Media Player - Wordpad - Windows Sidebar - Snipping Tool - Windows Contacts - Device Manager - Disk Defragmenter - Event Viewer - Fax and Scan - Windows Journal - Windows Meeting Space - Windows DVD Maker - Windows Easy Transfer
Security	User Account Control (UAC) - Windows Defender - Windows Firewall
Admin Tools	Control Panel - Device Manager - Microsoft Management Console (MMC)