First aid companion

Sep 17, 2006 10:07 GMT  ·  By

Many Windows critics said that Windows is unstable, has too many errors or that it breaks down when less expected. As it advanced from the 95 version to XP it became more stable and convinced many users that it offers good efficiency. Despite the progress, errors haven't disappeared completely. We fight with them every day because we install so many applications that change the system settings in such a way that it becomes unstable. Update, games, application or a new setting can let you without the possibility to do your work on you computer. That's why Microsoft thought that it is good to provide the Windows users a "first aid" solution. It is called System restore.

The principle

System restore is a system utility included in Windows that can undo your last changes to your computer (software related) in case the system isn't functioning at its normal parameters. It will restore the last working setting without losing your saved documents. The main key of the process is the restore point. A restore point is created automatically by Windows or can be created at any desired time by the Windows user. By creating a restore point, System Restore will take a snapshot of your computer with all the settings and installed software applications. In case something happens, and your computer isn't acting normal you just have to run System restore, select a previous restore point and tell it to restore your Windows exactly as it was from the restore point that has been previously created. After the computer restarts, it will be automatically configured with the settings provided at the specified restore point.

Working with it

To access System Restore go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore. A window will appear that offers two options related to the tasks you want to be undertaken: Restore the computer to an earlier time or creating a restore point.

Restore my computer to an earlier time

If you select this option it means that you are in trouble and you want to restore your previous system settings. Check this option and click next. In the next window you will find a calendar with restore points. The restore points are marked in bold. You can browse the calendar even months ago. In a month you can have a few restore points or you can have just one. It depends on how often you have installed updates and software programs that automatically create restore points. Moreover, a restore point can have checkpoints. It means that in one day you can have only one restore point, but more checkpoints at different time intervals. So if your system crashed after installing an update or problematic software, you can restore system settings using the same day restore point, but an earlier checkpoint.

So, select the restore point, then the checkpoint and click next. In the next window you will be informed that your computer will restart and its settings will be restored according to the restore point and checkpoint you selected.

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Create a restore point

To ensure that you are not dependent on automatic restore point creation and that you have a backup option for the best system settings, create a restore point by yourself. To do that select "Create a restore point" option from the first window and click next. In the next window you will be asked to provide a description for your restore point. Note that automatic restore points will continue to be created and, to avoid forgetting your manual restore point (which should be perfect for you), give it name that can easily be remembered. By clicking next, a new restore point will be created, marked with the name you provide, the date and the time.

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System restore settings

In the first window - besides the two options mentioned above - there are the System Restore settings. Here, users can activate/deactivate system restore. You have the possibility to setup the space that will be provided for System Restore. The more space you provide, the more restore points can be created. You can also deactivate system restore for some drives to save disk space. (Applications installed on these drives won't be restored).

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Even if we all know that there are powerful software applications on the market that can backup and restore all the system settings, partitions or lost documents, we should acknowledge that System Restore is a pocket joker which can save us from a lot of trouble.