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
The System Protection for Local Disk
window opens.
4.Click Turn on system protection ,
and then click OK .
Figure 2: System Protection for Disk
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
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 computer creates the restore point.
Figure 5: Creating system restore point
5.When the window appears stating that the restore
point was created successfully, click Close .
Figure 6: Success message
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
The System Restore window opens.
4.Click Next .
Figure 8: System Restore
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
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
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
5.On the Choose an option screen,
click Troubleshoot .
Figure 12 : Choose an option
6.On the Troubleshoot screen,
click Advanced Options .
Figure 13: Troubleshoot
7.On the Advanced options screen,
click System Restore .
Figure 14 : Advanced options
8.Click Windows 8, click Windows
8.1, or click Windows 10 as the target operating system.
Figure 15: System Restore
The System Restore window opens.
9.Click Next .
Figure 16: System Restore window
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
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
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
The System Restore window opens.
4.Select Undo System Restore , and
then click Next .
Figure 20: Undo System Restore
5.Confirm that the date and time are correct, and
then click Finish .
Figure 21: Confirm the restore to undo
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
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
2.
In the left-hand column,
right-click This PC , and then click Properties .
Figure 24: Right-click This PC
3.
Click System Protection .
Figure 25 : 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
A list of all current restore points
displays.
Figure 27: A 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
8.
When prompted, click Continue .
NOTE:
Once you have deleted the restore
points, you cannot restore them.
Figure 29: 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
3.
In the Properties window,
click Disk Cleanup .
Figure 31: Click Disk Cleanup
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
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
6.
When prompted, click Delete .
NOTE:
Once you have deleted the restore
points, you cannot restore them.
Figure 34 : Click Delete
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
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
The System Protection for Local Disk window
opens.
4.
Click Turn on system protection ,
and then click OK .
Figure 37: System Protection for OS
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
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.
