Restoring Windows XP to a previous state

The article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous state. System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores this information as restore points. If your computer is not functioning correctly, you can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state when your computer was functioning correctly. It can also change scripts, batch files, and other kinds of executable files on your computer.

System Restore:

• If Windows XP Does Not Start
• If Windows XP Does Start
• How to undo a system restoration after you perform a System Restore

Note
System Restore does not affect personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos. You can only restore files that you have deleted if you have made backups of those files.

If Windows XP Does Not Start

If Windows does not start, restart Windows by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature:

• Start the computer and then press the F8 key when Windows begins to start. The Windows Advanced Options menu appears.
  
  
• Use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press ENTER.

If a boot menu appears, use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER. Windows XP restores the computer to the most recent restore point.

If Windows XP Does Start

To use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state, follow these steps:

1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
   
   
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
   
   
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
   
   
4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system restore point in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next.
   
   Note
   A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
   
   
5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
   
   
6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page is displayed.
   
   
7. Click OK.

If you successfully restored your computer to a previous state, and the computer is performing as it should be, you are finished.

If the restore process completed successfully but the computer is still not performing as you want, go to the "How to undo a system restoration after you perform a System Restore" section. If you received an error message and the restore process did not finish, or if you cannot run System Restore, go to the "Next Steps" section.


Note
To perform System Restore, you must be logged on to Windows as an administrator. If this is your personal computer, you are likely already logged on with an administrator account. If this is a computer that is part of a network at work, you might have to ask the system administrator for help.

How to undo a system restoration after you perform a System Restore

You may have unintentionally restored Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration, follow these steps:

1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
   
   
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
   
   
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next.
   
   Note
   A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
   
   
4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
   
   
5. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
   
   
6. Click OK. You can now run System Restore again from a different restore point.

For additional information about System Restore,

1. Click Start.
2. Click Help and Support.
3. Type system restore in the Search box, and then press ENTER.

The given system restore techniques applies to --

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition