Reference number: CH000589

How do I restore Windows back to an earlier copy?

Issue:

How do I restore Windows back to an earlier copy?

Answers:

Users who are running Microsoft Windows XP or later can use Microsoft System Restore and restore their computer to an earlier date by following the below steps. This will not erase any of your data. However, if any programs were installed since that date, it is possible that the program settings may be lost.

Note: If you are unable to boot into normal Windows mode to perform the below steps, you may need to run the below steps through Windows Safe Mode. Additional information about how to get into Safe Mode can be found on document CHSAFE. Additionally, you could try loading the last known good configuration; information about how to do this can be found on document CH000626. 

Windows Vista and 7 users

1. Click Start
2. In the Start search box type System Restore and press enter.

Windows XP users

1. Click Start
2. Click Programs, and then Accessories
3. Click System Tools and open System Restore

If you're unable to find System Restore and have administrator rights try opening the System restore through the run line by following the below steps.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type: restore/rstrui
4. Press enter

System Restore Window

Once in the System Restore window as shown in the below example, leave the option selected on the restore option and then click the Next button to start the Restore process. It's recommended you use the recommended restore point.

When I run system restore I get a message saying no restore points are available

A computers System Restore points could be deleted by any of the below possibilities. Unfortunately when the system restore points are deleted or removed they cannot be recovered. 

1. The Microsoft Windows XP System Restore option was disabled on the computer.
2. The computers hard disk drive is out of disk space or low on disk space. Additional information about determining how much disk space is on the drive can be found on document CH000369.
3. Microsoft Windows has been reinstalled.
4. The restore point reached is maximum age of 90 days.
5. The "Clean up" option under the Disk Cleanup has been ran. When this option is performed it will remove all restore points.
6. The computers version of Microsoft Windows has been upgraded to a newer version of Windows. The Windows System Restore option is not designed to revert your computer back to an older version of Windows and when an update is ran it will disable any previous system restores.

Additional information:

• Additional information about disabling Windows XP System Restore can be found on document CH000775.
• See our Restore point and System Restore dictionary definitions for additional information about these terms and related links.