Using System Restore

A very good safety tool in Windows XP is System Restore.  It is seldom utilized, but is very effective and is a small step that can save you an enormous amount of trouble.  If your computer is not working properly, you can use System Restore to return it to a previous state.  If you are getting ready to install or download an application, use System Restore to back up your system so that if you have problems and the application isn't working as anticipated, you can restore your system.

Note:  To use System Restore, you must be logged onto your computer as an administrator.  If you do not know if you are logged onto the system as an administrator, check out the following link to find out:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/admin

To turn System Restore on or off:

1. Go to My Computer.
2. Right click.  Go to Properties.  Select the System Restore tab.
3. Clear the checkmark to turn on System Restore.  Insert a checkmark in the box indicating to turn System Restore off.

Creating a Restore Point:

1. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
2. Select the Create A Restore Point option and click Next.
3. Type a description like, "Before printer driver install", and click Create.
4. Click Close.

Revert to your Restore Point:

1. Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.
2. Select Restore My Computer to An Earlier Time option, and click Next.
3. Use the calendar to select the restore point you want to go to.  Days in bold contain the valid restore points.  After you select the day, select the restore point listed on the right.  Click Next.
4. Make sure this is the correct restore point and click Next.  Windows restores to the selected backup and restarts.