Restoring Your System from a Restore Point

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated December 15, 2014)

Sometimes, installing software or device drivers has an adverse impact on your system. Setting a Restore Point prior to an installation allows you to reset your system to its previous state in case you discover that installing the new software wasn't such a good idea. (How to set a Restore Point is covered in another tip.) Assuming you had set a Restore Point, you can revert your system back to its previous condition by doing a system restore.

To do a system restore follow these steps if you are using Windows 8:

  1. Move the mouse pointer into the very bottom-left corner of the screen and right-click. You should see a Context menu appear.
  2. Choose the System option. Windows displays the System area of the Control Panel. (See Figure 1.)
  3. Figure 1. The System dialog box.

  4. Click the System Protection link at the left of the dialog box. Windows displays the System Protection tab of the System Properties dialog box. (See Figure 2.)
  5. Figure 2. The System Protection tab of the System Properties dialog box.

  6. Click the System Restore button. You will then be taken through a wizard that allows you to select what Restore Point you wish to use and then perform the restore.

If you are using Windows 7 the steps are a bit different. (The biggest difference is how you get to the first dialog box.). Follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, right-click Computer, and select Properties from the resulting Context menu. Windows displays the System area of the Control Panel. (See Figure 3.)
  2. Figure 3. The System dialog box.

  3. Click the System Protection link at the left of the dialog box. Windows displays the System Protection tab of the System Properties dialog box. (See Figure 4.)
  4. Figure 4. The System Protection tab of the System Properties dialog box.

  5. Click the System Restore button. You will then be taken through a wizard that allows you to select what Restore Point you wish to use and then perform the restore.

 This tip (12212) applies to Windows 7 and 8.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Changing Your Internet Home Page

Regardless of the browser you use, there's a way to change its settings so that you can specify where it goes when you ...

Discover More

Changing Screen Resolution

Screen resolution is a key attribute of your monitor. You usually have choices for resolution, which provides you with a ...

Discover More

Stopping or Deleting a Print Job

Knowing how to stop or delete a print job can save lots of paper and also lots of embarrassment if you happen to ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Finding Your Wi-Fi Password

Connecting devices to your wireless network is generally easy, you select the network and enter the password. But, what ...

Discover More

Drag to Install Fonts

Installing fonts within Windows 10 is now quicker and easier. By using the new drag-and-drop install method, your fonts ...

Discover More

Understanding Properties

Most of the objects that Windows makes available in its interface possess properties. These properties allow you to ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 0 + 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips