How to choose system restore. How does System Restore work? Can changes be undone?

Situations when the operating system starts to malfunction and errors, or refuses to start at all, happen quite often. This happens for various reasons - from virus attacks and software conflicts to incorrect user actions. In Windows XP, there are several tools for restoring the health of the system, which we will discuss in this article.

Let's consider two scenarios.

• The operating system boots, but runs with errors. This includes file corruption and software conflicts. In this case, you can roll back to the previous state directly from the running system.
• Windows refuses to start. Here we will be helped by reinstalling the system while saving user data. There is also another way, but it only works if there are no serious problems - loading the last known good configuration.

Method 1: System Restore Utility

Windows XP has a system utility designed to track changes in the OS, such as installing software and updates, and reconfiguring key settings. The program automatically creates a restore point if the above conditions have been met. In addition, there is a function to create custom points. Let's start with them.

1. First of all, we check if the recovery function is enabled, for which we click PKM by icon "My computer" on the desktop and select "Properties".

   

2. Next, open the tab "System Restore". Here you need to pay attention to whether the checkbox is unchecked. "Disable System Restore". If it is, then remove and click "Apply", then close the window.

   

3. Now you need to run the utility. Go to the start menu and open the list of programs. In it we find a directory "Standard" and then a folder "Service". We are looking for our utility and click on the name.

   

4. Choose an option "Create a restore point" and press "Further".

   

5. Enter a description of the checkpoint, for example "Driver Installation", and click on the button "Create".

   

6. The next window informs us that a new point has been created. The program can be closed.

   

It is advisable to perform these actions before installing any software, especially one that interferes with the operation of the operating system (drivers, design packages, etc.). As we know, everything automatic can work incorrectly, so it's better to play it safe and do everything yourself, with handles.

Recovery from points is as follows:

You probably noticed that the window contains information that you can choose a different restore point or cancel the previous procedure. We have already talked about the points, now we will deal with the cancellation.

Method 2: Restore without logging in

The previous method is applicable if we can boot the system and log into our "account". If the download does not occur, then you will have to use other recovery options. This is loading the last working configuration and reinstalling the system while saving all files and settings.

The operation of the system restore function. Whenever changes are made to the Windows system, this feature creates a system restore point. In fact, this is an image of the system at the moment preceding the change (installing / uninstalling a program, updating drivers, and so on). If you encounter a problem after making changes to your system, you can use system restore points to return it to its original state.

• While System Restore won't affect your personal files, it's better in case something goes wrong.
• If the system does not boot, go to the troubleshooting section.

Create a password reset disk (optional). This is recommended if you have changed your Windows password recently, as the System Restore process may undo the password change.

Click "Start" and in the search bar type "System Restore". In the search results, click System Restore.

Select the desired restore point. By default, the most recently created point will be suggested. If you want to select a different point, click Next.

• Check the "Show other restore points" box to view all available restore points. There are never many restore points, since the system automatically deletes old restore points.
• For each restore point, you will find a description of the reason why the point was created.

All owners of desktop computers or laptops sooner or later have to reinstall the OS, be it Windows 7 or any other modification. There are many reasons for damage to the operating system (malware infection, improper installation of drivers, accidental deletion of system data, etc.). However, if information important to you is stored in the system partition of the PC (for example, on the desktop), it will also be deleted after the demolition of the operating system. To prevent this, instead of reinstalling, you can perform a Windows recovery.

Ways to restore Windows 7 without reinstalling

The developers of this operating system took care of its reliability by equipping the product with many protective features, among which the recovery procedure is the most useful. This software tool allows you to return the OS to working capacity without completely reinstalling it.

There are several ways to initialize the Windows recovery process:

• using Last Known Good Configuration;
• using the program;
• through a restore point;
• via BISO.

To complete the task, you do not have to look for any software or use additional devices.

The only thing you need to prepare is a DVD with Windows 7 of the exact assembly that was installed on your computer. The ideal option is to use the same disk.

Restoring the last working configuration

Each time you log out of the system, all the important data necessary for the launch and operation of the operating system is entered into the registry. It is this information that the recovery procedure uses.

To activate it you need:

If the system boots up after performing the above steps, it is recommended that all important information saved in the system partition (“My Documents”, drive C, desktop) be copied to another drive. After that, check your PC for malware and, if possible, perform a full system diagnostic.

Using the recovery procedure in this way, you will not be able to recover lost personal data (music, video, etc.), since it only works with system files. To recover such information, you need to use additional programs.

Restoring Windows using the Chkdsk application

Chkdsk (from the English “check disk”) is a program built into the operating system that looks for damaged system files on the hard drive and restores them.

Another useful feature of this tool is the diagnostics of storage media for mechanical damage to sectors and the closure of access to them, thereby speeding up the operation of the system.

There are two ways to initialize Chkdsk:

• through a graphical interface;
• from the command line.

In the first case, you need:

To run the Chkdsk program from the command line, you should:

This will restart and diagnose the Windows system for damage.

Applying a restore point

A restore point is an element of the OS that stores a copy of system files, drivers, and installed programs recorded at a specific time. In Windows, such points are created automatically at regular intervals, as well as after installing and updating programs.

To use a restore point, you need:

Windows System Recovery via BIOS

If it is impossible to start the OS, recovery by the methods described above will not work. In this case, you can use the BIOS to resuscitate Windows without reinstalling.

The procedure will be as follows:

Almost every PC user sooner or later faces a situation where the operating system does not start or starts to work incorrectly. In this case, one of the most obvious ways out of this situation is to carry out the OS recovery procedure. Let's look at how you can restore Windows 7.

All system recovery options can be divided into several groups, depending on whether you can start Windows or the OS is damaged so much that it no longer boots. An intermediate option is the case when it remains possible to start the computer in "Safe Mode", but in normal mode it is no longer possible to turn it on. Next, we will look at the most effective ways in which you can do a system restore in various situations.

Method 1: System Restore utility

This option is appropriate if you can log into Windows in standard mode, but for some reason want to roll back to a previous system state. The main condition for the implementation of this method is the presence of a previously created restore point. Its generation should have happened at a time when the OS was still in the state to which you want it to roll back now. If at one time you did not take care of creating such a point, this means that this method will not suit you.

1. Click "Start" and move on the inscription "All programs".



2. Go to folder "Standard".



3. Then open the directory "Service".



4. Click on the name "System Restore".



5. The standard tool for rolling back the OS is launched. The start window of this utility opens. Click on an element "Further".



6. After that, the most important area of ​​\u200b\u200bthis system tool opens. This is where you have to choose the restore point to which you want to roll back the system. To display all possible options, check the checkbox "Show all…". Next, in the list provided, select the one of the points to which you want to roll back. If you don’t know which option to stop at, then select the most recent element from those that were created when the performance of Windows completely satisfied you. Then press "Further".



7. The following window opens. Before performing any actions in it, close all active applications and save open documents to avoid data loss, as the computer will soon be restarted. After that, if you have not changed your decision to roll back the OS, click "Ready".



8. The PC will reboot and during the reboot, a rollback procedure will occur to the selected point.

Method 2: Restoring from a backup

The next way to reanimate the system is to restore it from a backup. As in the previous case, a prerequisite is the presence of a copy of the OS, which was created at a time when Windows was still working correctly.

1. click "Start" and follow the inscription "Control Panel".



2. Go to the section "System and safety".



3. Then in the block "Backup and Restore" choose an option "Restoring from the archive".



4. In the window that opens, follow the link "Restore system settings...".



5. At the very bottom of the window that opens, click "Advanced Methods...".



6. From the options that appear, select "Use the system image...".



7. In the next window, you will be prompted to back up user files so that they can be restored later. If you need it, then click "Archive", otherwise press "Skip".



8. After that, a window will open where you need to click on the button "Restart". But before that, close all programs and documents so as not to lose data.



9. After the computer is restarted, the Windows Recovery Environment will open. A language selection window will be displayed, in which, as a rule, you do not need to change anything - by default, the language that is installed on your system is displayed, so just click "Further".



10. Then a window will open where you need to select a backup. If you created it using Windows, then leave the switch in the position "Use latest available image...". If you did it using other programs, then in this case, set the switch to the position "Choose an image..." and indicate its physical location. After that press "Further".



11. A window will then open displaying options based on the settings you selected. Here you just need to click "Ready".



12. In the next window, to start the procedure, you must confirm your actions by clicking "Yes".



13. After that, the system will be rolled back to the selected backup.

Method 3: Restore system files

There are times when system files are corrupted. As a result, the user observes various failures in the operation of Windows, but nevertheless can start the OS. In such a situation, it is logical to scan for such problems and then restore damaged files.

Method 4: Run Last Known Good Configuration

The following method is suitable in cases where you cannot boot Windows in normal mode or it does not boot at all. It is implemented by activating the Last Known Good OS Configuration.

This method helps to restore the state of Windows if the system registry is damaged or if there are various deviations in the driver settings, if they were configured correctly before the boot problem occurred.

Method 5: Restoring from "Safe Mode"

There are situations when you cannot start the system in the usual way, but it boots into "Safe Mode". In this case, you can also perform the rollback procedure to the working state.

Method 6: Recovery Environment

Another way to revive Windows if you can’t start it at all is by entering the recovery environment.

There are quite a few different ways to restore Windows 7 to an earlier state. Some of them work only if you can boot the OS, while others will work even when it fails to start the system. Therefore, when choosing a specific course of action, one must proceed from the current situation.