Even though many of wish for a point in life where we could restore our life to some earlier date and write off any errors committed during that time, there is sadly no such system on offer. Computing, though is a different affair. Windows offers you this solution whereby you can restore your system to an earlier date and undo the errors you may have made in installation or other areas. First offered in Windows XP, it works very well in Windows 7.
Restore points are basically snapshots of the operating system of your computer, taken at different points of time automatically by windows. In case you experience any trouble with your computer’s performance, you have a choice to Restore it to a point of time where it used to work correctly.
Important Instructions for System restore
Step 1. Save your Data
First of all save any data that may be of importance to you. For example you may be working on an office document or presentation. Save all open documents. Some applications may be in your system tray. Remember to check them too. Also be sure that your browser is not open and/or downloading files or other data. If it is, either pause or download it.
Step 2. Recover your system
- Click on the “Windows Start Button” and in the ‘Search’ text box that appears, type ‘System Restore’. You can manually find it by click-following this chain: “Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore”. Once you click on the “system Restore”, you may be prompted for your Administrator password (if any). The System restore window will open.
- Carefully read the information contained in that window. It will have a radio button with two options, namely “Recommend Restore” and “Choose a Different Restore Point.” By default the Windows selects the “Recommended Restore” option which restores your computer to the most recent restore point save by it. The time, date and brief description of the restore point can be seen in the open window itself.
- If you need to select a different restore point, then choose it from a list of available restore points by clicking on the other option “Choose a Different Restore Point.” Click on ‘Next.’
- When you click ‘Next’ you will be able to review the final confirmation window. This window would display your selected restore point and its description. It will  also list the hard drive that it will restore. Be sure to verify that the hard drive listed is the same hard drive that you wish to restore. For example, if you want to recover files on your D: drive and the window says that it’s going to restore files on your C: drive, click the window’s “Back” button and rectify. Once back to the previous window, you will be able to review other restore points of your D: drive, that you may have missed.
- Click “Finish” on the window that appears now. Windows will restore your system to your chosen restore point and reboot your computer.
Step 3. Check your System
If Windows still has problems after performing a restore, try another restore using a different restore point. That one may correct the issue. If not, you will need to choose a more advanced recovery option such as restoring from a saved system image disk that you may have. You also have the option to reinstall Windows using your Windows DVD. Microsoft provides helpful information that explains these advanced recovery options.