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Create a System Restore Point Manually

Posted: Wednesday, May 12, 2010

by Bryan Keller
Computer Repair - IT Consulting - Techheads

Before attempting any system optimization, whether it's memory upgrades or software configuration, it would be a good idea to create a System Restore Point. Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 all create restore points automatically but it doesn't hurt to manually create one just prior to installing or uninstalling hardware or software, or before making changes to any system configuration settings.

Basically a restore point allows you to do exactly what the name implies. Using the restore point you can 'restore' or revert your computer back to a specific date and time. Thus, if something goes horribly wrong during the installation of a new software application let's say, and your system is now not functioning properly, you can attempt to restore back to the good state that existed just prior to the software installation. This is of course assuming that a restore point exists for that date and time. Windows is supposed to automatically create one before all hardware and software installations. I never like to take chances however so my belief is that it does not hurt to create one manually before installing any new software or hardware.

Having a restore point is great insurance however using the restore point can sometimes create unintended consequences. Reverting the entire system back to a earlier date and time requires quite extensive changes to the registry settings as well as significant modification of stored data files. I point this out only as a cautionary note. Use this feature as a last resort.

The most basic yet many times overlooked technique to address either software installation problems or hardware installation problems is simply rebooting the system. Sometimes more than once. Also if you are experiencing a software installation error try uninstalling the software before you use a system restore. The Add or Remove Programs tool is located in the control panel (in Windows Vista and Windows 7 you will need to click 'Programs' and then 'Installed Programs').

If your system is not booting properly you can also try using the boot menu that is available during the system startup process. To access it press F8 while the system tries to reboot (you may have to tap the key multiple times as the system powers back up) and then use your arrow keys to select 'Last Known Good Configuration', this works in many cases.

Manually Creating a Restore Point (Windows XP)

Click on Start-> All Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> System Restore.
The System Restore Menu should open and appear on your screen.
Select 'Create a restore point', and press 'Next'.
Be sure to create a name for the restore point that is descriptive and that you will remember, and/or make a note to yourself.
The current date and time will be added to the description automatically by the system.

Manually Creating a Restore Point (Windows Vista & Windows 7)

Click Start and then right-click on 'My Computer' and select 'properties' from the menu.
The 'System' menu will open. Click 'System Protection', which will be listed on the left side of the menu.
This brings up the 'System Properties' menu. Click on the tab labeled 'System Protection' at the top of the menu.
You are now at the 'System Restore' menu. Press the 'Create' button you will find near the bottom right corner of the menu.
Be sure to create a name for the restore point that is descriptive and that you will remember, and/or make a note to yourself.
The current date and time will be added to the description automatically by the system.

Now that you have completed this process you can add new software or hardware with a little more confidence.

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Bryan Keller

Owner of a Computer Repair and Data Recovery business in San Antonio, TX. The author spent 10 years in database design, development and administration. He now provides Website Development, Web Hosting, SEO and SEM services. Involved in computer programming for over 30 years was a self-taught programmer back when the 'Atari 800' was all the rage! Owned an Atari 800 with 16 kilobytes of ram and a 6502 8-bit processor that ran at 1.7 MHz, had no hard drive and a 5 1/4 inch floppy fisk that stored just 180 Kilobytes of data. Of course there was no Internet back then but there was dial up bulletin boards that one could connect to at 300 baud! lol.

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