How to restore Windows XP to a previous state

This article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous state. System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores this information as restore points. If your computer is not functioning correctly, you can use these restore points to return Windows XP to a previous state when your computer was functioning correctly. It can also change scripts, batch files, and other kinds of executable files on your computer.

To perform the System Restore, you must be logged on to Windows as an administrator. If your computer is part of a network, you might have to ask the system administrator for help. To verify that you are logged on to Windows as an administrator, follow these steps:

1. Open the Date and Time dialog box.
   
   1. Click Start, and then click Run.
   2. Type the following command in the Run dialog box, and then press OK:
      
      timedate.cpl
      

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2. Use one of the appropriate steps, depending on the result.
   
   • If the Date and Time Properties dialog box appears, you are already logged on as an administrator. Click Cancel to close the Date and TimeProperties dialog box.
     
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   • The following message appears if you are not logged on as an administrator.
     
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How to use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state

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To use System Restore to restore Windows XP to a previous state, follow these steps:

1. Log on to Windows as an administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
   
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3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click to select the Restore my computer to an earlier time option, and then click Next.
   
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4. On the Select a Restore Point page, click the most recent system restore point in the On this list, click a restore point list, and then click Next.
   Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
   
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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 an Administrator. Then click OK on the System Restore Restoration Complete page.
   
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If you successfully restored your computer to a previous state, and the computer performs as expected, you are finished.

 

How to undo a system restoration after you perform a System Restore

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You may have unintentionally restored Windows XP to a previous configuration that you do not want. To undo the restoration, follow these steps:

1. Log on to Windows as an administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
   
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3. On the Welcome to System Restore page, click to select the Undo my last restoration option, and then click Next.
   Note A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
   
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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.
   
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6. Click OK. You can now run System Restore again from a different restore point.

For additional information about steps to take if the System Restore tool in Windows XP does not start, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

304449 How to start the System Restore tool from a command prompt in Windows XP

For additional information about System Restore,

1. Click Start.
2. Click Help and Support.
3. Type system restore in the Search box, and then press ENTER.