Last updated: December 18th, 2006

General Description

This article provides a link and instructions on how to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP. This built-in feature of Windows XP is often helpful in troubleshooting a computer that recently stopped functioning correctly.

Step by Step Instructions

The following information can be found at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;306084

  1. The Login name used must have administrator rights to the computer to run System Restore. If not, log into Windows as an Administrator.
  2. Click Start, point to Programs or All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
  3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (it should already be selected), and then click Next.
  4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
  5. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, click Next. System Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
  6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears.
  7. Click OK.

©2004 Microsoft Corporation

Troubleshooting

The following information can be found at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;306084

You may inadvertently restore Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration:

  1. Log into Windows as an Administrator.
  2. Click Start, point to Programs or All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
  3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Undo my last restoration, and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
  4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the computer.
  5. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo Complete page appears.
  6. Click OK.

©2004 Microsoft Corporation