System Restore

Overview

System Restore works a lot like the Undo command in Microsoft Word. You can use System Restore to remove any system changes that were made since the last time you remember your computer working correctly. System Restore does not affect your personal data files (such as Microsoft Word documents, browsing history, drawings, favorites, or email so you won't lose changes made to these files.

This is most effective to use when attempting to get rid of viruses such as a fake antivirus program.

This will not always work because in some cases the virus is smart enough to disable System Restore or to not allow it to work properly.

Using System Restore

How does System restore work?

Windows periodically records a snapshot of your computer. These snapshots are called restore points. Windows also creates restore points at the time of significant system events (such as when an application or driver is installed) or you can create and name your own restore points at any time. If you have installed a program that has made your computer unstable, you can open system restore, choose a restore point, and return your computer to its previous stable state.

When you run System Restore, a calendar is displayed to help you find restore points. If you don't use your computer every day, some days might not have any restore points. If you use your computer frequently, you might have restore points almost every day, and some days might have several restore points.

Use System Restore to undo changes you have made to your computer

Before you open the System Restore console, you may want to save your work and close all programs since System Restore requires you to restart your computer.

Data Integrity

While performing a refresh is not supposed to impact your personal files such as documents and pictures, it is highly recommended to save your data on a secondary location to make sure that your files don't somehow become corrupted during the process.

System Restore with Windows 10

Remove everything and reinstall Windows

To reset your Windows 10 PC

Using the search bar, open Settings.
Click "Update & Security"
Click "Recovery" on the left side of the window.
Select "Get Started" under the "Reset this PC" title
Select "Remove everything"
Follow the instructions on the screen.

Refresh your Windows 10 PC without affecting your files

To refresh your Windows 10 PC

Using the search bar, open Settings
Click "Update & Security"
Click "Recovery" on the left side of the window
Select "Get Started" under the "Reset this PC" title
Select "Keep my files"
Follow the instructions on the screen

Warning

While doing a Refresh does not remove the files on your computer it will, however, remove any applications that you have put on it that do not come with the device. If it was anything you put on after you started using the computer, those applications will need to be re-installed.

System Restore with Windows 11

Remove everything and reinstall Windows

To reset your Windows 11 PC

Open the Start Menu.
Click on the Settings button.
Click on the "System" option.
Click on "Recovery".
Select "Remove everything".
Follow on-screen instructions.

Refresh your Windows 11 PC without affecting your files

To refresh your Windows 11 PC

Open the Start Menu.
Click on the Settings button.
Click on the "System" option.
Click on "Recovery".
Select "Keep my files"
Follow on-screen instructions.

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