Free Tip #3: Microsoft Windows Restore Points
Looking for a low effort activity with huge potential reward? It takes just 3 clicks to set a
Windows Restore Point. Those 3 clicks might save hours of trouble later.
A Restore Point is a snapshot of your hard drive's programs and settings at a specific point in time. If you make a mistake, load a bad program or otherwise mess up your machine, you can roll back your PC to a point in time before your problems existed.
It's like a great big undo button. It may even allow you to roll back a virus ... although that's never certain.
Restore points DO NOT CHANGE Outlook files, Word or Excel and other application data files or browser cookies - just programs, setting and the Windows Registry. You can roll back or forward to any restore point that's been set.
Windows automatically sets restore points for you when it performs windows updates and when you install some programs or new system devices. Don't rely on the automatic feature: if you think your going to engage in activities that might cause a problem, set one yourself.
See this
smartcomputing.com article for an simple but detailed explanation of how Restore Points Work.
You can set as many restore points as you want: your PC saves them for you by name, date and time created.
What a Restore Point Can't Do
Restore Points won't save you from a hard drive failure. They are not substitutes for backups. They won't cure most viruses, and they won't bring back data that you accidentally deleted.
How to Set A Restore Point (XP)
1. Click on START | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore .
2. When the "System Restore Wizard" opens, click "Create Restore Point".
3. Click Next.
4. Type a name or restore point description.
5. Click Create.
TIP: To make setting restore points easier, place a System Restore shortcut on your desktop.
How to Use A Restore Point (XP)
Close all open programs, documents, spreadsheets, email, etc.
1. Click on START | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore .
2. When the "System Restore Wizard" opens, click "Create Restore Point"
3. The Restore Point wizard moves offers you a calendar. Click on the date you want. Then click on any restore point
listed for that date.
4. Click Next. Read the warning. and Click Next Again.
5. Windows will restart. Once it does, you'll be back to the restore point you selected.
How to Set A Restore Point (Vista)
1. Click on START | Control Panel | System | Advanced System Settings.
2. A System Properties Tab Panel Appears. Select the "System Protection Tab".
3. Click the Create Button (bottom right)
4. Type a name or restore point description in the dialog box.
5. Click Create.
How to Use A Restore Point (Vista)
Close all open programs, documents, spreadsheets, email, etc.
1. Click on START | Control Panel | System | Advanced System Settings.<br>
2. A System Properties Tab Panel Appears. Select the "System Protection Tab".<br>
3. Click the "Restore" button.
4. The Restore Point wizard moves offers you a calendar. Click on the date you want. Then click on any restore point
listed for that date.
5. Click Next. Read the warning. and Click Next Again.
6. Windows will restart. Once it does, you'll be back to the restore point you selected.
Using a Restore Point to Escape Viruses
Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. It's always worth a try. Just make sure you create a current restore point before you roll back to an earlier date.
