If you encounter an unsolvable problem with your computer, try a system restore. The System Restore utility in Windows 7 allows you to return your system to the state before the problem occurred. You can restore the system if problems occur after updating the operating system or installing new drivers or programs.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: System Restore
Step 1. Operation of the system restore function
Whenever a change is made to the Windows system, this feature creates a system restore point. In fact, this is an image of the system at the moment before the change was made (installing / uninstalling a program, updating drivers, and so on). If you run into a problem after making changes to the system, you can use system restore points to return it to its original state.
- Although System Restore won't affect your personal files, it's best to back them up in case something goes wrong.
- If the system does not boot, go to the troubleshooting section.
Step 2. Create a password reset disk (optional)
This is recommended if you've recently changed your Windows password, as the system restore process might override the password change.
Step 3. Click "Start" and type "System Restore" in the search bar
In the search results, click System Restore.
Step 4. Select the desired restore point
By default, the most recent point will be suggested. If you want to select a different point, click Next.
- Check the box next to "Show other restore points" to view all available restore points. There are never many restore points, as the system automatically deletes old restore points.
- For each restore point, you will find a description of the reason why the restore point was created.
Step 5. After selecting a restore point, click "Find Affected Programs"
A list of programs and drivers will be displayed that will be removed or reinstalled as a result of the system restore.
Any programs installed after the restore point was created will be removed, and programs removed after the restore point was created will be reinstalled
Step 6. Before starting the system restore process, review the changes that will be made to the system as a result of this process
Then click "Finish" to start the recovery process.
Step 7. Wait for the restoration process to complete
The computer will restart and start the system restore process, which will take at least a few minutes.
Step 8. When the recovery process is complete, Windows will boot and a message will appear stating that the recovery was successful
Check if the issue is resolved. If not, restore the system again using an earlier restore point.
If, as a result of a system restore, your computer's performance has only deteriorated, you can undo the last restore. To do this, run the System Restore utility and select "Undo System Restore"
Troubleshooting
Step 1. Make sure System Restore is enabled
If System Restore does not start, make sure this feature is enabled.
- Click on "Start", right-click on "Computer" and select "Properties."
- Click on System Protection and then select your system drive.
- Click on "Settings" and make sure the "Turn on system protection" option is checked.
Step 2. Run System Restore from the command line if Windows does not start
- Restart your computer and hold down F8. The Advanced Boot Options menu opens.
- From this menu, select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt". Windows will download the necessary files and open a command prompt.
- Type rstrui.exe and press Enter. The System Restore utility starts. Follow the instructions above to recover your system. When performing a System Restore from Safe Mode, you will not be able to undo the restore.
Step 3. Run the utility to check for problems with the hard drive
A failed hard drive can be causing system recovery problems.
- Click Start, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
- Type chkdisk / r and press Enter.
- Confirm that you want to restart your computer. The hard disk check utility will scan the disk for errors and try to fix them before Windows boots.
Step 4. Scan the system for viruses and malware
Viruses can infect restore points or disable System Restore. Removing the viruses will restore System Restore (without having to reinstall Windows).
Read the article How to remove a virus
Step 5. If System Restore does not solve your problem, reinstall Windows
If you have already backed up important files, the reinstallation process will be faster than you think, and your computer's performance will most likely improve.
Read the article How to reinstall Windows 7
Method 2 of 2: Create a System Restore Point
Step 1. Click on "Start", right-click on "Computer" and then click on "Properties"
You can create a system restore point manually if Windows is working fine at the moment and you want to have a reliable restore point.
Step 2. Click "Protect System" (in the left pane)
The System Properties window and the System Protection tab will open.
Step 3. Click "Create" and enter a short description of the restore point to be created
Step 4. Wait for the restore point creation to complete (this will take some time)
Recovery points vary in size, but by default the system reserves 5% of the hard drive size to store them. Old restore points are automatically deleted to make room for new ones
Step 5. Delete old restore points manually
If you want to free up space on your hard drive or think that restore points are damaged, you can delete all system restore points.
- Open the System Protection tab in the System Properties window (see Step 1 of this section).
- Click "Settings" - "Delete". Please note that the freed hard disk space will be used to store new restore points.
Troubleshooting
Step 1. If you cannot create a restore point, disable your antivirus
Antivirus software may interfere with System Restore.
To disable the antivirus in most cases, right-click on the antivirus icon (in the system tray) and select Disable or Stop
Step 2. Try to create a restore point in safe mode, as problems with Windows may prevent you from doing this
- To boot your computer in Safe Mode, restart your computer and hold down F8. From the Advanced Boot Options menu, select Safe Mode.
- Follow the instructions above to try to create a restore point in Safe Mode.
Step 3. Make sure you have enough disk space to create the restore point
Otherwise, you will not be able to create a restore point. Windows will not create restore points on hard drives that are less than 1 GB in size.
- Click on "Start" and select "Computer".
- Right click on the system drive (usually drive C:) and select Properties.
- Make sure you have at least 300 MB of free space on your hard drive. Ideally, you should have 2-3 GB of free space.
Step 4. Try reinstalling the Windows repository
This will help you troubleshoot problems while creating a system restore point.
- Restart your computer and hold down F8. From the Advanced Boot Options menu, select Safe Mode.
- Click Start, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
- Type net stop winmgmt and press Enter.
- Click on "Start" and select "Computer". Open the C: \ Windows \ System32 \ wbem folder and rename the repository to repositoryold.
- Reboot your computer. Click Start, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
- Type net stop winmgmt and press Enter. Then type winmgmt / resetRepository and press Enter.
- Restart your computer and try to create a restore point.