Restore Your Windows XP Computer

A System Restore can help fix problems that might be making your computer run slowly or stop responding. It will return your system to an earlier point in time. Your computer automatically creates Restore Points that allow you to restore previous settings, systems or programs. Don’t worry! This will not affect your personal files, data or photos.

Steps

Performing a System Restore

  1. Open the Start menu. This is the “Window” icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
  2. Click on the All Programs link. This is located at the bottom of the list of frequently used programs.
    • Alternatively, you can click on Help and Support and type in “system restore” in the search bar. This will give you a detailed description of what a System Restore is and include a link to open the System Restore guide. You can skip to Step 6 if you want to use the Help and Support menu.
  3. Open the Accessories folder. This is where all of the programs that are saved to your computer by default are located.
  4. Open the System Tools folder. This is where you manage system events and performance on your computer.
  5. Click on the System Restore guide. This will guide you through the restoration process.
  6. Select Restore my computer to an earlier time. Click Next to continue.
    • You can force the system to create a Restore Point before you install a new program or operating system. That way, if anything goes wrong, it will be obvious which Restore Point you want to go back to.
  7. Select a Date to restore your system to. Choose a date on which your computer was running fine, for example, before a system update or installing a program.
  8. Click Next to activate the System Restore. Your computer will shut down, perform the System Restore and restart again.
  9. Click OK when the system starts up. Congratulations! You did it! Your system has been restored to the date you selected and will be up and running like it used to.

Undoing a System Restore

  1. Repeat Steps 1-6 above. When you have mistakenly restored your system to an earlier configuration that you do not want, you can undo the last System Restore.
  2. Select Undo my last restoration. Click on Next to continue.
  3. Click Next to confirm. You are confirming that you want to undo the last System Restore from the Restore Point shown. Your computer will shut down, perform the operation and restart again.
  4. Click OK when the system starts up. Great job! You have reversed the System Restore and are back to the way things were.



Tips

  • Save your work and close any open programs before performing a System Restore.
  • Continue the process until your computer is running optimally choosing earlier dates of Restore Points as needed.

Warnings

  • Software will be uninstalled if it was installed after the restore point.

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