Sunday 4 October 2015

How To Fix Computer using System Restore

HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore (Windows 10, 8)

This document applies to HP and Compaq computers with Windows 10 and 8.

This document explains how to use and troubleshoot the System Restore feature in Windows 10 and Windows 8.
About System Restore
System Restore is a software program available in all versions of Windows 10 and Windows 8. System Restore automatically creates restore points, a memory of the system files and settings on the computer at a particular point in time. You can also create a restore point yourself. Then, when you use System Restore to restore your computer to a point in time before an issue began, System Restore returns your computer to the files and settings from the restore point. Your personal files and documents are not affected.
You can also undo a System Restore if the restore does not resolve the issue or if the issue becomes worse.

 NOTE:
Depending on your version of Windows, some graphics and information in this document and the linked videos might vary slightly.

Differences between System Restore and HP Recovery Manager

Microsoft's System Restore is sometimes confused with HP's Recovery Manager software.

·   System Restore enables you to change a collection of Microsoft Windows system files to a configuration that existed at a particular point in time. No personal data files, such as email, documents, or pictures, are lost or changed.

·   HP Recovery Manager enables you to restore the computer's entire software configuration to its original factory condition. It reinstalls the original operating system (such as Windows) and removes all other software and personal data files. When recovery is complete, only the software that originally came with your computer will be available. You will need to reinstall additional software and any of your personal files that were backed up.

Whenever the computer suddenly develops a problem, you should first perform a System Restore to try to resolve the issue before performing a complete recovery using HP Recovery Manager.

Enable System Restore

Microsoft System Restore is enabled by default on most, if not all, HP computers that come with Windows. However, Microsoft System Restore can be disabled and can cause problems if you try to restore from a previous point. To make sure System Restore is enabled, complete the steps below.

Show me how: watch video here

1.Save any open files and close all open programs.

2.In Windows, search for restore , and then open Create a restore point from the results list.

3.On the System Properties window, select your hard drive, and then click Configure .

Figure 1: System Properties

 System Properties window

 System Properties window
The System Protection for Local Disk window opens.

4.Click Turn on system protection , and then click OK .

Figure 2: System Protection for Disk

The System Protection from Local Disk window, with Turn on system protection selected, and OK highlighted
The System Protection from Local Disk window, with Turn on system protection selected, and OK highlighted

Create a restore point

Windows automatically creates restore points at regularly scheduled intervals and before many software installations. If you would like to create a restore point manually, use the steps below.

Show me how : watch video

1.Save any open files and close all open programs.

2.In Windows, search for restore , and then open Create a restore point from the results list.

3.On the System Properties window, click Create .

Figure 3 : System Properties

System Properties window

The System Protection window opens.

4.In the text field in the System Protection window, type a descriptive name for the restore point that will help you remember when you created the restore point. Then click Create .

Figure 4: Create a restore point

The System Protection Create a restore point window

The computer creates the restore point.

Figure 5: Creating system restore point

The System Protection window, displaying a restore point creation progress bar

5.When the window appears stating that the restore point was created successfully, click Close .

Figure 6: Success message

The success message on the System Protection window


Restore your computer when Windows starts normally

If the computer stops working correctly, you can restore it to a previous point in time when it was working. Use the following steps to restore your computer’s configuration.
This video shows how to restore your computer when Windows is working properly


1.Save any open files and close all open programs.

2.In Windows, search for restore , and then open Create a restore point from the results list.

3.Click System Restore .

Figure 7: System Properties

System Properties window

The System Restore window opens.

4.Click Next .

Figure 8: System Restore

The System Restore window, with Next circled in red

5.Click the restore point that you want to use, then click Next .

The window to confirm your restore point opens.

6.Click Finish to restore your computer to a previous point.

Figure 9: Confirm your restore point

The Confirm your restore point System Properties window, with Finish selected

7.Do not interrupt System Restore when it starts. This can corrupt your hard drive and create more problems. Click Yes in the warning that appears.

Figure 10: Do not interrupt warning

The warning that appears before beginning a System Restore

8.System Restore returns the computer configuration to a previous point in time and restarts.

Restore your computer when Windows cannot start normally


Use the following steps to restore your computer when Windows does not open normally.
This video shows how to restore your PC when Windows cannot start normally


1.Turn off the computer and wait at least 5 seconds with the computer in a full off state.

2.Turn on the computer and repeatedly press the F11 key, about once every second, until you see the Windows loading screen.

3.If a language selection screen opens, select the language you want to use to continue.

4.On the Choose your keyboard layout screen, select the keyboard layout that matches your keyboard type.

Figure 11: Choose your keyboard layout

Choose your keyboard layout screen

5.On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot .

Figure 12 : Choose an option

Choose an option screen, with Troubleshoot selected

6.On the Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced Options .

Figure 13: Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot screen, with Advanced options selected

7.On the Advanced options screen, click System Restore .

Figure 14 : Advanced options

Advanced options screen, with System Restore selected

8.Click Windows 8, click Windows 8.1, or click Windows 10 as the target operating system.

Figure 15: System Restore


System Restore screen, with a target operating system selected

The System Restore window opens.

9.Click Next .

Figure 16: System Restore window


System Restore window, with Next encircled in red

10.  Click the restore point that you want to use, and then click Next .

The Confirm Restore Point window opens.

11.  Click Finish to restore your computer to a previous point.

Figure : Confirm your restore point


Confirm your restore point screen, with Finish circled in red

12.  Do not interrupt System Restore when it starts. Doing so can corrupt your hard drive and create more problems. Click Yes in the warning that appears.

Figure18: Do not interrupt warning


Warning that appears before beginning a System Restore

13.  System Restore returns the computer configuration to a previous point in time and restarts.

Undo a restore


Follow these steps to undo the restore and put the files and programs on your computer back to the way they were before you used System Restore.

Show me how:watch video

1.Save any open files and close all open programs.

2.In Windows, search for restore , and then open Create a restore point from the results list.

3.Click System Restore .

Figure 19: System Properties


System Properties window

The System Restore window opens.

4.Select Undo System Restore , and then click Next .

Figure 20: Undo System Restore


The screen to undo System Restore, with Next selected

5.Confirm that the date and time are correct, and then click Finish .

Figure 21: Confirm the restore to undo


Confirm your restore point screen, with Finish selected

6.Do not interrupt System Restore when it starts. This can corrupt your hard drive and create more problems. Click Yes in the warning that appears.

Figure 22 : Do not interrupt warning


Warning that appears before beginning a System Restore

7.System Restore undoes the restore and restarts.

Deleting restore points

You can delete system restore points to temporarily create more space on your computer. You can only delete either all restore points or all but the most recent restore point. You cannot delete all but a specific restore point beyond the most recent. The free disk space is used again when the computer creates new restore points.

 NOTE:
When you delete restore points, the computer also deletes previous versions of files.

Deleting all restore points

Follow these steps to delete all system restore points on your computer.

1.     In the task bar on the desktop screen, right-click File Explorer .

Figure 23 : File Explorer


File Explorer

2.     In the left-hand column, right-click This PC , and then click Properties .

Figure 24: Right-click This PC


Right-click This PC and Properties selected

3.     Click System Protection .

Figure 25 : Click System protection


Click System protection

4.     Under the System Protection tab, click System Restore to view all the current restore points, and then click Next .

Figure 26 : Click System Restore


Click System Restore

A list of all current restore points displays.

Figure 27: A list of current restore points


List of current restore points

5.     Click Cancel to close the window.

6.     In the System Properties window, click Configure .

7.     In the System Protection window, click Delete next to Delete all restore points for this drive .

Figure 28: Delete all restore points for this drive


Delete all restore points for this drive

8.     When prompted, click Continue .

 NOTE:
Once you have deleted the restore points, you cannot restore them.

Figure 29: Continue


Continue

Deleting all but the most recent restore point


Follow these steps to delete all but the most recent restore point.

1.     On the desktop screen, click the File Explorer icon.

2.     Right-click C: drive, and then select Properties .

Figure 30: View C: Drive properties


View C: Drive properties

3.     In the Properties window, click Disk Cleanup .

Figure 31: Click Disk Cleanup


Progenies with  Disk Cleanup selected

4.     Click Clean up system files .

The Disk Cleanup window displays and calculates how much space you can free on C: drive.

Figure 32: Click Clean up system files


Disk Cleanup with Clean up system files selected

5.     In the Disk Cleanup for Windows window, click the More Options tab, and then click Clean up under the System Restore and Shadow Copies section.

Figure 33 : Click Clean up


More Options with Clean up selected

6.     When prompted, click Delete .

 NOTE:
Once you have deleted the restore points, you cannot restore them.

Figure 34 : Click Delete

Are you sure you want to deleted with Delete selected

What to do when System Restore fails


Use the following steps if System Restore fails to create a restore point or fails to restore.

Step one: Disable virus scanning protection

Malware scanning software can have built-in protection systems that prevent other software programs from altering their structure - including System Restore. When System Restore is unable to use the files of the scanning software, System Restore fails and the following message appears:

Figure 35: Error: System Restore did not complete successfully


System Restore error message

To successfully restore your system, temporarily disable virus scanning and the built-in protection. 

To do this follow the instructions below.

Show me how:watch video

Most antivirus applications have a system tray icon. If so, switch to the desktop view and right-click the system tray icon for your antivirus application to find options that allow you to temporarily disable scanning or virus protection. It is a good idea to unplug any network cables and disconnect from the Internet while your virus protection is disabled.

Step two: Enable System Restore

If System Restore does not work, use the following steps to make sure System Restore is enabled and active.
1.     Save any open files and close all open programs.

2.     In Windows, search for restore , and then open Create a restore point from the results list.

3.     On the System Properties window, select your hard drive, and then click Configure .

Figure 36: System Properties

System Properties window with Configure selected

The System Protection for Local Disk window opens.

4.     Click Turn on system protection , and then click OK .

Figure 37: System Protection for OS


System Protection from Local Disk window, with Turn on system protection and OK selected

Step three: Create a restore point

If no restore point exists on your computer, System Restore cannot complete. The No restore points have been created on your computer's system drive error appears.

Figure 38 : Error: No restore points have been created

Error message when no restore points have been created on the computer

This message also indicates that there is no data from which to restore and you cannot restore to a previous point in time. However, it may be possible to create a restore point from the current system and restore with the system files currently on the computer. Doing so can resolve a variety of problems by rebuilding the file structure. Follow the instructions in the Create a restore point section to create a restore point.

Step four: Start System Restore from the startup screen


Use the instructions in the Restore your computer when Windows cannot start normally section to restore your computer outside of the normal Windows operating system environment.