While life in general will not allow us to return to an earlier time to make changes, we computer users do have such an option should we experience problems with our Windows XP operating systems. If you update or install the wrong device driver for your video card, and you delete accidentally delete a critical Windows file, so what.You can simply use Windows XP's Restore Point feature and, Tada, you're back on track and recovered that deleted file.
Have you ever done something to make an improvement and laterregretted it? It would be awesome to be able to go back in timeand undo the the thing that were supposed to make an improvement.
While life in general will not allow us to return to an earliertime to make changes, we computer users do have such an optionshould we experience problems with our Windows XP operatingsystems.
If you update or install the wrong device driver for your videocard, and you delete accidentally delete a critical Windowsfile, so what.
You can simply use Windows XP's Restore Point feature and, Tada,you're back on track and recovered that deleted file.
Restore Points are snapshots of the state your operating systemwas in during that time.Windows XP automatically creates arestore point when it senses a major change in your operatingsystem.And Restore Points are created every 24 hours as a safetymeasure.But you can create a Restore Point manually any time youfeel there is a need.
If you have a change of some sort that causes problems with theoperating system, you can tell Windows XP to revert to anyRestore Point established before the problem occurred.After therollback, every change in the operating system that happenedafter that Restore Point is eliminated.
Restore Points are generally used when you experience such pcproblems as extremely slow performance of the system. Yourcomputer responds far more slowly that it did before youinstalled or updated something.
Other times to run Restore Point is when your system stopsresponding after an update or installation. Be sure to create aRestore Point before making any significant change to yourcomputer's software or configuration.
To set a Restore Point, click on Start, point to All Programs,click on Accessories, System Tools, and then click on SystemRestore.When the System Restore windows appears, click on thebutton labeled "Create A Restore Point" and click Next.
Enter a description of the restore point, something like "Beforescanner device driver install" and click the Create button.Anotification will inform you that a Restore Point was made.Nowclick the Close button and you're all set.
Reverting to a Restore Point is as easy as create one.Click onStart, point to All Programs, click Accessories, System Tools,and System Restore.When the System Restore window appears, clickon the "Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time" and then clickon the Next button.
Choose the date on which you set the Restore Point and click theNext button.Review the information presented and save any openfiles.Shut down any other programs that may be running.
Click on the Next button and now your computer will restart. Asit restarts, it will present a message informing you of therestore point. Click OK and you're done.
After reading all about setting and reverting to restore points,you should make a known restore point if you have not done soalready.Whatever you do after reading this article, don't sayI'll get to it soon.Familarize yourself with this feature andcreate a restore point one.
You should try Restore Point and see how it works before youneed it.Create a Restore Point now and update something.You canupdate Windows Media Player for example.
After the update or the installation of a program,wait a day orso and go back to Restore Point.Revert to the Restore Point youcreated and see if the old version of Windows Media Player comesback.Or see if that old device driver is present.
Doing a simple task like this can and will boost your computerskills and give you much more confidence in yourself and theWindows XP operating system.
