Using Microsoft System Restore in Windows Vista

Using Microsoft System Restore in Windows Vista
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In this document:
About System Restore
Creating a restore point
Restoring Windows to a previous point
Undoing a restore
Restoring when Windows Vista cannot start normally
System Restore does not work in Windows Vista
This document applies to HP and Compaq desktop computers with Windows Vista.
This document explains how to use and troubleshoot the Microsoft System Restore feature in Windows Vista.

NOTE: Microsoft's System Restore program is not the same program as the HP or Compaq System Recovery process. HP System Recovery restores the entire software configuration back to way it originally came from the factory.

About System Restore
System Restore is software that creates restore points, a "memory" of the system files and settings on the computer at a particular point in time.
System Restore can be used to replace all of the current files and settings with those from a previous time without losing personal data files. For example, after a new computer is started for the first time, a restore point is created. Two days later, several system files are accidentally removed causing Interent Explorer to stop working. With System Restore, you can restore Windows back to the way it was on the first day, fixing the problem.
If the problems do not go away or become worse after performing a system restore, use it again to go back to the previous condition with the undo function.

Creating a restore point
Windows Vista automatically creates restore points at regularly scheduled intervals and before many software installations. If you would still like to create a restore point manually, use the following steps:

To be safe, backup any important files before creating a restore point.
Click Start , right-click Computer, and select Properties.
From the tasks pane on the left, click System Protection.
Select a disk from the list, usually (C:), and then click the Create button.

Figure 1: System Protection tab
Enter a name that describes the restore point.

Figure 2: Window for entering the restore point description
Click Create.
When finished, Windows opens a window stating that the restore point was created successfully.

Figure 3: Success message

Restoring Windows to a previous point
If the computer stops working correctly, you can restore it to a previous point in time. Use the following steps to restore your computer’s configuration:

To be safe, backup any important files before creating a restore point.
Close any software windows that are open.
Click Start , All Programs or All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then System Restore.
The "Restore system files and settings" window opens.

Figure 4: "Restore system files and settings" window
Select Choose a different restore point, and click Next.
Select a date and time from the list of available restore points and click Next. All affected system files will be added, removed, or changed to the same versions that were in the computer's system file configuration on the selected date.

CAUTION: Software and drivers installed after the selected date may not work correctly and may need to be reinstalled.

Figure 5: "Choose a restore point" window
Click Finish in the "Confirm your restore point" window.
Click Yes in the confirmation message that opens.
The computer should shut down and turn back on automatically after the restoration completes.
The Restoration Complete window appears.

Figure 6: Success message
Click OK. The computer has now been restored to a previous time when it worked correctly.

NOTE: If an error message appears stating that the computer cannot be restored to the point selected, try System Restore again using a different restore point. If errors persist, the only option may be to use HP System Recovery to revert the computer back to the original software configuration.
After System Restore is finished, update computer software as follows:
Update the system virus definitions. For more information, go to the Resolving and Preventing Viruses on Your Computer page.
Get the latest critical system updates using Microsoft's Windows update. For more information, go to the Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update page.
Update the software on the computer from the HP Website. For more information, go to the Obtaining Software and Drivers page.

Undoing a restore
To set the software configuration as it was, slightly prior to when system restore was used, use System Restore again. Select a restore point that occurs prior to the date of the System Restore and is described with "Undo: Restore Operation".

Figure 7: "Choose a restore Point" window

Restoring when Windows Vista cannot start normally
Use the following steps to restore Windows Vista to a previous time when Windows will not open:

Turn off the computer and wait at least 5 seconds with the computer in a full off state.
Turn on the computer and press the F8 key repeatedly as the computer starts.
An "Advanced Boot Options" screen opens.
Select Repair Your Computer and press Enter.
Select a keyboard layout that matches your country/region and click Next.
When the login prompt appears, select the user name with Administrator rights (not Administrator) from the User Name drop down. The user name with Admistrator rights is most likely the first user name that was entered during the initial computer setup.
Type the logon password into the Password field and then click OK.

NOTE: If you do not know the password, leave the Password field blank and click OK. If you are unable to get past the password window, notify the system administrator for the password or perform a system recovery to restore the system to its previous state.
A System Recovery Options window opens.

Figure 8: System Recovery Options
Click System Restore.
Use System Restore as normal to restore Windows to a previous point .

System Restore does not work in Windows Vista
If System Restore does not work in Windows Vista, make sure that it is enabled and active. Use the following steps to make sure System Restore is enabled and active.

Click Start , right-click Computer, and select Properties.
From the tasks pane on the left, click System Protection.
Make sure that the main drive, usually (C:), is selected in the Automatic restore points section:

If the drive is not selected, select it and click OK. This was the problem.
If the drive is already selected, close the System Properties window. To use system recovery, try creating a restore point as described in this document. If that does not work, to use system restore, you may need perform a System Recovery to revert the computer back to its original software configuration.

Figure 9: Main drive with System Restore enabled