How to: Restore your computer to a previous point

Restoring your system is very useful if you manage to get your pc completely messed up. To access the system restore program, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.

In the window that opens, select Restore my computer to an earlier time and press Next. Select a restore point before the time you messed up your computer and continue. Now it asks you to save any work that is not saved and close any programs that are open. Press Next to begin the restore. Your computer will restart and start up as it was at the time of the restoration point you selected.

Note: you won’t lose any files you’ve created, but any programs installed after the chosen restoration point will be uninstalled. You can always undo the restoration if something goes missing.

If your pc is so messed up that it won’t even let you log in, you have to start it in safe mode by repeatedly pressing F8 while its starting up and choosing Start in Safe Mode. You have to log in as administrator and access the System restore tool from there.