Summary: System Restore settings are in the properties of My Computer, but actually running the System Restore application is a little less obvious.
After installing some software that totally messed up parts of my system, someone recommended I use System Restore to restore the machine to it's previous settings. Sounds wonderful ... except I can't find it. How do I get at System Restore?
I honestly don't know why System Restore is as hard to find as it seems to be. It'd definitely not obvious.
Oh, and I hope you have it turned on. Otherwise even finding it may be of no help.
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Let's start by finding out whether or not it's turned on, and enabling it if not.
Right click on My Computer and click Properties. Click on the System Restore tab, and make sure the Turn off System Restore checkbox is not checked. (It feels backwards, I know ...). If you're turning on System Restore, especially for the first time, it may then create a restore point, so it may take just a minute to complete.
While it's working you can see that System Restore uses disk space, and that you can limit how much disk space it will use. This translates, roughly, into how many restore points it can maintain. As new restore points are created, if there's not enough disk space, the oldest ones will be deleted.
Now, the official way to run the restoration UI is through the help system. If you start Help and Support and then search for "System Restore", the results will include several results of interest.
However my approach was to find the executable and run it directly. Click on Start, then Run, and type in "c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe", where "c:\windows" is your Windows directory. Press OK and you should get the System Restore UI.
In the UI you can create a new restore point if you like, which will save the current settings (though many installation programs do this automatically if System Restore is enabled), or you can revert to a previous restore point. If you select restore, you'll be presented with a calendar of dates on which restore points are available. If you've just turned on System Restore for the first time, you won't have any, other than the one that was just created.
After you select a restore point to restore too, you're presented with important warnings. It's worth noting that many changes made to your system after that restore point was created will be lost when you restore back to it. But then ... that's often exactly the point of wanting to revert to a previous restore point.
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I've put together a very short video that shows the System Restore setting, and the UI. Have a look to better understand exactly where to find System Restore, and what it looks like once you get there.
Watch the video:
Managing Restore Points.
Related:
Article C2531 - January 24, 2006
I have no problem finding and using system restore but in every attempt it reports that Windows was not able to restore.... date selected... choose another restore point, etc. I have resorted to using a 3rd party program ERUNT and it works perfectly. Why does Windows Sys Restore no longer work - succeed?
Posted by: Larry Kamberg at March 8, 2009 11:42 AMHello Leo, i have a problem with system restore. when i open it is start ok and i can choose a restore point but when i click next it doesn't go any further then next button just comes back up and is not ghosted to move on to the next page.
Posted by: leo at March 12, 2009 12:33 PMplease help
Do anybody know how to get your pc recovery back....I need it...because my little brother deleted my.....
Posted by: Help_Sa Lor at March 20, 2009 11:10 PMDear Leo..
I created my own restore point so that if anything happened I couls get back to where my plotter would work again...now i can't find the restore point that I created..can you tell me where windows keeps it or how I can find it again? I have been in the restore system program..but it will only let me go back a couple months..PLEASE help
Thanks a ton
Ron
23-Apr-2009
Hey Leo, I've tried to do system restore but when i type it in, in "Run" nothing happens. Nothing comes up for me to restore it, what can I do to get the system retore up?
Posted by: Ffion at May 15, 2009 5:40 AMI try to do it but when i click next nothing happens.
Posted by: kevin at May 18, 2009 6:46 PMHello Leo!
I was searching around your site & I found this article that is close to home for me, too.
Marc is experiencing "error mess "SYSTEM RESTORE CANNOT RESTORE COMPUTER" "NO CHANGES MADE."
Larry Kamberg writes, "in every attempt it reports that Windows was not able to restore.... date selected... choose another restore point, etc."
I've had this same problem for literally months now!
I am not new to system restore... (maybe a little too familiar, lol!). I have always kept the box unchecked, and given it lots of space.
I'm one of those pc users who DOES research files and programs... and gets confused in the process.
My pattern is to usually say "what the hay.." and install (insert your nifty, exciting software here __) with my fingers crossed, hoping avast will save me from anything malicious, and System Restore can set everything right again.
Not so anymore. I get these exact messages.
Restore points ARE offered, I select the bold calendar date, and click.... then instead of the go-ahead I'm looking for, I get- " No Changes Made" with "Windows is unable to restore." and a "Select another date" option. And the cycle repeats(!) -. Once I tried EVERY restore point available.... Nada.
Yes, I have tried setting a new restore point~ no can do.
I bought an external hard drive to back up my system... can you help?
Given that System Restore does not restore everything people expect, even when it works, I strongly recommend not using it at all in favor of a true backup solution instead.
One reason is simply the scenario that you've encountered: it's not that uncommon, and I don't have good answer to get it working again for you.
21-May-2009
I go to the system restore, but the page stays white? It doesnt go any further and wont open? ANY HELP??
Posted by: mark at August 24, 2009 10:55 AMI am trying to go to a restoring point but I get this message box
"this folder does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. create an association in the folder options control panel."
please help me I think my computer got a virus yesterday. It said that my computer had a virus and I needed to purchase a program pc antispyware_2010 and windows antivirus pro I didn't purchase either all of a sudden my computer restarted on its own and installed the programs. I went ahead and purchased the norton anti virus, installed it but now I can't even access any word, excell or the calculator from my shortcuts. This is very stressful!!!
Posted by: yadira at August 25, 2009 5:13 PMI was wondering if you could tell me how to restore VGA save
28-Oct-2009
Posted by: Rick Maas at October 27, 2009 9:22 PM