April 6, 2006

Is your computer acting wacky?  Wish there were an easy way to get it working the way it did before the latest problem?

Well, there may be an easy way to fix things.  I did a previous discussion on this feature, but decided to go into how to use it here. 

Windows has built into it, a feature called system restore.  One of the reasons Windows takes up so much disk space is because it keeps track of when changes are made and saves the information to the hard drive.  It will automatically make restore points approximately every 24 hours the computer is on, or whenever it feels like it.  Basically, the automatic restore points are created whenever you do an automatic Windows update, when you install a program which uses Windows Installer, and when installing certain device drivers. 

System restore doesn't restore data files, it only keeps track of important Windows files. These are files which affect how the computer works. My suggestion is to manually make a restore point anytime you are making any configuration changes or adding a new program.  Keep in mind that Windows restore does not always undo problems.  If you want to be really safe, use a disk imaging program which will make a copy of your hard drive, click here for more info. 

To start system restore, go to the Start button, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore.  If you want to try restoring to a time previous to today, and with the radio button "Restore my computer to an earlier time" checked, click Next.

On the calendar, any dates which are in bold type have restore points. System checkpoints are automatically saved from Windows. If you create a point, it will be shown with the description you gave it. Click on the restore point you want to go to, then click Next.

On the next screen, after you click Next, it will take a while for the files to be cop-ied and the computer will reboot. After re-boot, you will get a screen which will let you know if it successfully restored to that point. NOTE: There are many instances where the restore won't work and it will tell you it couldn't do it. You just have to try it. If the restore doesn't get the results you wanted, you can run system restore and tell it to undo the last restoration.

I try to create a restore point any time I install a new program or make any significant changes. Click on the Create a restore point radio button, then click Next.

On the next screen type a name so you will know why you made the restore point, then continue with the wizard to create the new point.

As I stated, this doesn't restore data files, and the results of programs being installed or uninstalled can be less than desirable. Again, the best thing is a drive image, but there may be occasions where the system restore can be a quick and easy solution.

If you have any questions or comments, click