Windows system restore point is a feature which comes in Windows operating systems by default with a sole purpose of allowing the user to undo the most recent changes done on a computer. At some point, users find their machines failing to respond as commanded, behaving unusual, etc, as a result of a recent program installation, or anything similar, and whereby reverting settings to an earlier time or undoing changes can help turn things to normal.
Windows system restore point works in such a way that it only affects the most recent computer settings and performance changes, for example, lprograms and applications while leaving others like saved documents, browser settings and others related intact.
When I download some Desktop publishing software some days back, I never knew that a time will come when I will regret as to why I had installed it on my computer since it was working well for me as per its features – helping me post automatically on my Blog without using the browser.
And after a few days, I came to know of how my internet data was being consumed by the same program even without running it and after a lot of trials and failures, restoring my computer to an earlier time was the only solution which helped me.
Creating Windows Systems Restore Point (XP)
- Power on your “computer”
- Click “Start”
- Click “All programs”
- Click “Accessories”
- Click “System Tools”
- Click “System Restore”
- Checkbox for “Create a Restore Point”
- Click “Next”
Enter restore point description and click “Create”. Upon success, you will see a message and you will be done.
Restoring Your Computer To An Earlier Time
- Power on your “computer”
- Click “Start”
- Click “All programs”
- Click “Accessories”
- Click “System Tools”
- Click “System Restore”
- Select “Restore my computer to an earlier time”
- Click “next
Choose the date which you want to restore your computer to from the Calender and hit Next. Wait for the computer to do the work until it reboots. At this point, you will see either a success or failure message for your restore and you will be done.
You should only use this option once you detect any malfunction or change in your computer behavior and you suspect it to be as a result of a recent installation, you can begin by uninstalling the program and see if it works. In case of any failure, then do the following to restore your computer to an earlier time.
Note: By default, unliike Windows 10, XP does create Check points on every start and program installations which can as well be used when performing a restore assuming you had personally never created the point by yourself. And additionally, all changes made as a result are irreversible.
