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In this post, we will see how to use & create System Restore Point, Restore computer to good restore point & Undo the changes System Restore makes in Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. The Windows operating system will create a system restore point automatically periodically by default. Windows also creates a system restore point when it detects a major change happening to your system - like when you are installing Windows Updates, Drivers or at times Software.
These System Restore Points represent a stored state of your computer system files and registry settings. If at any time you feel the need to undo some changes or if your Windows is not working properly, you can restore your system back to a prior 'good' restore point.
System Restore uses a feature called System Protection. It is a Windows feature that regularly creates and saves information about your computer's system files, registry settings and previous versions of files. System Restore affects Windows system files, installed programs, registry settings, changes to scripts, batch files and other types of executable files - but does not affect personal files.
Create System Restore Point
As mentioned, Windows creates restore points automatically. To create a system restore point manually, open Control Panel and type System Restore in the search box.
Click on Create a restore point. The System Properties box will open.
Click on Create. The System Protection box will open and you will be asked to give it a name.
I chose the name - TWC here. Click on Create. The process will start and take less than a minute. Meanwhile, you will see a Creating a restore point message.
One the process is completed, you will see a The restore point was created successfully message.
Click on Close. Your System Restore Point named TWC will now have been created and should you wish, at any time in the future, you can restore your computer to this or any other System Restore Point.
I know its quite a lengthy process, but should you wish, you can create a System Restore Point quickly! Simply use our freeware Quick Restore Maker to create one in a click!
This post will show you how to automatically create System Restore Point at startup.
Restore Windows computer using System Restore
If something goes wrong at any point of time, and you wish to restore your Windows PC back to a 'good' point, you can do so as follows. In the System Properties box, click on System Restore.
Alternatively, you may open the Run box, type rstrui.exe and hit Enter to open System Restore.
The System Restore will open.
Click on Next.
Select a Restore Point, to which you want to restore your computer to, and click Next.
Review the details and confirm them. Click on Finish.
You will be asked to confirm. Click Yes. This will start the process.
Windows will access relevant files and prepare your computer to be restored. It will then restart. On a restart, you will see the following message, confirming that your computer has been successfully restored.
If for some reason the computer does not restore successfully, you may want to see this post on System Restore not working. See this if you find that your System Restore Points deleted or go missing.
Undo System Restore
If you do not like the changes made after you restored your computer, you can Undo the changes. To do so, open System Restore > Click Undo System Restore > Next > Make your choice and click Finish.
Scan for affected programs
Clicking on the Scan for affected programs link, will list you the programs and files that may be affected if you Restore computer using system restore or if you Undo system restore.
If you wish to manage your Windows system restore points and customize its options, you may check out our freeware System Restore Manager. Using this utility, you can even select a Drive and change the maximum amount of disk space to use, System Restore can use, change the System Restore Point Creation Interval, change the Restore Point Time to Live and more!
These posts may interest you:
- How to create System Image in Windows
- How to create a System Recovery Drive in Windows
- How to create a System Repair Disc in Windows.
