How to Use System Restore to restore Windows XP

People, who have not yet installed the new Windows operating system Vista into their PC, are probably still using Windows XP version and are familiar with its System Restore characteristic. This System Restore is helpful when your PC starts functioning erratically and when your machine or workstation is attacked and infected by various viruses and trojans.

System Restore differs from a simple PC clean up. A clean up can be usually done on a PC at its present state, while system restore backs up the files in the process, as well as the viruses and other infections. When the machine gets infected, it is recommended to follow the steps below.

System Restore Steps

1. Access Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.
3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Restore my computer to an earlier time (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the latest system checkpoint in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next. A message may appear that displays the configuration changes the 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. Access the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration Complete page appears. Click OK.

This procedure makes sure that the files (together with those files that were backed up) are properly cleaned in the process. Moreover, in order to ensure that only a clean and safe system will be used, the new backup will replace the old files.