System Restore
"Help! I downloaded a program that was supposed to remove spyware from my computer. But now I'm getting even MORE popups and my system freezes at random intervals. I tried to uninstall but can't find a way to get rid of this thing. What do you recommend?"
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Time Travel with System Restore
I feel your pain... unless you are very careful, you can download a new program or software update, then find that it makes your system unstable. Wouldn't it be nice if you could go back to a point in time when your computer was working? With System Restore, you can.
Think of System Restore as the Undo command for Windows. While your computer is on, System Restore takes regular snapshots of your Windows configuration, settings, and program files. These snapshots (known as "restore points") are stored on your hard disk so you can revert back to that point in the event of a computer emergency. Restore points are automatically created when new software is installed, when Windows Update applies changes, on a daily basis, and when you request a manual restore point. If you can remember the most recent time when your computer was working correctly, System Restore will roll back all system changes to that point.
Will I Lose Personal Files?
So what exactly does System Restore do? Let's start with what it doesn't do... System Restore WILL NOT remove or modify any personal data files such as word processor documents, spreadsheets, music & photos, web favorites, emails, etc. More specifically, files in the My Documents folder will never be touched. If you are unsure as to whether a file will be affected by System Restore, keep it in that folder. System Restore WILL affect your Windows system settings (the Windows Registry), protected system files, and recently installed software.
While System Restore can be a wonderful tool to get your computer back to a functioning state after a virus or spyware infestation, I strongly recommend that you use it only in such emergencies. If you have installed a program and suspect that it may be causing trouble, always try Add and Remove Programs in Control Panel first. I offer this caution because System Restore is a rather drastic measure. On the few occasions I've used it, System Restore did solve the problem at hand, but some minor things like fonts, wallpaper and desktop settings were altered. It also messed up my Internet Explorer toolbars, even though they were supposedly locked. Things like this (that I did notice) make me wonder if other unexpected or undesired changes were made as well.
Running System Restore
If your computer seems to be unstable, you've done a thorough anti-virus and anti-spyware scan, and you've been unable to remove any suspected software packages through Control Panel, give System Restore a try. To roll back your computer settings to a previously saved restore point:
When System Restore begins, the computer will restart, the hands on your wall clock will spin backwards, and a groovy technicolor swirl will envelope the room. You may hear an audible moan and see smoke rising from your computer as the hard drive grinds. And with a bit of luck your system will be restored to normal functioning.
Do you have experience with System Restore that you'd like to share? Post your comments below...
Posted by Bob Rankin on March 29, 2006 08:26 PM
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Most recent comments on "System Restore"
(See all 100 comments for this article.)|
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HI - I have the same problem as Jean and Darcie. How long should I let the system restore run before I pull the plug? It's now been going about 16 hours. I ran it to try and get rid of a new printer driver for an HP Officejet 6100 (the scanner will not work). I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium on an HP Pavilion desktop. Any help you can give me will be GREATLY appreciated! EDITOR'S NOTE: I've read recently that running System Restore in Safe Mode will sometimes work. |
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I have windows xp and i did a system restore and tried to restore it to an earler time. it wont let me run hp wireless assistant or anything else. i can't really do anything. a little help please? :) EDITOR'S NOTE: You haven't said why you wanted to do a system restore, whether or not the system restore was completed, or whether the wireless assistant problem started before or after the system restore. |
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I think I might have a virus on my laptop. I get a pop up all the time asking me if I want to monitor Ispy or something like that. I tried to do a system restore but when I choose a date and then click next to start it, nothing happens. Also whenever I open Explorer I get a page asking me if I want to run some sort of monitoring application or if I want to advance without it. Lastly I can't even go to the Microsoft Support Webpage, it comes up as an add for another spyware cleaner. What can I do? EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, that does sound like a malware problem. You need to good anti-spyware and anti-virus program to clean it up. See http://askbobrankin.com/should_i_buy_antispyware_or_antivirus_software.html |
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In the article on registry cleaners, it is highly reccomended that one run System restore before the reg. cleaner, but when I read the item on system restore, it seems to warn one against using it. EDITOR'S NOTE: Not sure where you're seeing that... |
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I keep clicking on a date but it doesn't do anything...and it says there are no restore points available. EDITOR'S NOTE: Either you had System Restore turned off, or all of the restore points have been "eaten" by Windows due to low disk space. |
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I recently got a virus that seemed to attack the system restore. I have a program called Norton go-back and it has affected that also. The reason I say it attacked it is when I did a virus scan, it came up with over a hundred points concerning system restore. I was seemingly able to get rid of the virus, but now when I try a system restore it goes through the motions but when finished it says incomplete. And the same with Norton's Go-Back. Can you please help? EDITOR'S NOTE: It might very well be Norton that is preventing System Restore from running. Disable or remove Norton then try again. |
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Hi sir, I am using windows xp home edition and avg free antivirus, a vbs extention virus is attcking in html files. kindly tell me the process to remove it. EDITOR'S NOTE: See http://askbobrankin.com/should_i_buy_antispyware_or_antivirus_software.html |
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Hello, I recently did a system restore for my computer, and I noticed that I seem to have less space on my hard drive then I did before. I have so much less that I am unable to install one of my favorite games anymore. I've already gone through and deleted all my restore points to start anew with a new point, but there's still not enough memory. I'm wondering where the rest of that memory could have gone (other than the applications and program files I have on there already)? EDITOR'S NOTE: See http://askbobrankin.com/clean_hard_drive.html and look for the link to JdiskReport. |
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Will system restore restore back the deleted User Account in WinXP? EDITOR'S NOTE: I would think so, try and report back here! |
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Ok here is my issue. I did a registary cleaner and now my pc freezes up on me. I tried to do a system restore to the previous day but when i click the next button to actually get the restore to perform nothing happens. It just will not work. HELP wut can i do to fix this my hubby is starting to get annoyed with my pc issues. |
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- System Restore (Posted: March 29, 2006 08:26 PM)
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Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved