Use System Restore to Fix Your Windows Computer

Use System Restore to Fix Your Windows Computer

There are plenty of glitches that can plague our Windows computers, malware being just one. Programs break, drivers break, we users make unhelpful changes, etc. 

System Restore - the magic undo

The good news? There is a magic “undo” feature in Microsoft Windows – it’s called System Restore. It’s bailed me and my clients out of difficulties many times. And when you've been hit by malware you can use this to repair your computer before removing the infections with a security scanner. 

If you’ve used System Restore, you may recall your delight when it did its magic. If it’s new to you, let me explain.

A simple approach

Of course there are more detailed ways of diagnosing and remedying hardware and software problems, including malware infections. But if things were fine one day, and the next they’re not - and you don’t recall changing anything - System Restore is a handy tool.

To use it, locate the Run box after clicking your Start button (Windows 7), or type Run in the Windows search box (Windows 8 or 10). Then in the Run box type rstrui.exe, then click OK.

No change to data - but back up anyway

System Restore will launch. Click Next, then locate a recent restore point prior to the day you started having issues. Note: any programs or updates you installed after that date will be removed, but none of your data will be changed. (Nonetheless, it’s best to back up important data before running System Restore.)

Before running System Restore, close all open programs and save all work. Allow anywhere from 5-15 minutes for the Restore process.  

The computer will reboot and present your Windows login screen, and report whether System Restore succeeded or failed.

Creating a Restore Point

A proactive approach to take with System Restore is to set a Restore Point when things are working well. Open the Control Panel, then type Restore in the Search box. Then select Create a restore point. Choose your Windows drive (usually C). Then click Create and name the Restore Point.

Once this Point is created, you can roll back to this in the future should your computer be throwing a fit. (If it’s throwing a big fit, you may have to run System Restore from the command prompt in Safe Mode, but that’s another story.)

Deeper malware removal

If you're running System Restore to aid in malware removal, after Restore is done, go to your Programs in the Control Panel and remove any suspicious characters, sorting by date - a clue being programs you didn't intend to install. 

Then run malware removal scans by using programs like Malwarebytes. 

Restore doesn’t fix all problems, but it’s an easy “go-to” when you want a quick return to smoothing sailing after rough waters.   

Thanks for reading.
Sam

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