How to Use System Restore in Windows XP

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

This is a great way to "turn back the sands of time" if you make a mistake on your desktop or a more permanent change.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d6\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d2\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Select "Restore my computer to an earlier time." Click next button
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Make sure the date is before you made the mistake on your computer. Click "next" and close all open programs to ensure a safe restore. The keep clicking "Next," and the computer will then gather some information and restart your computer to the restore point.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/35\/Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg\/aid32853-v4-728px-Use-System-Restore-in-Windows-XP-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It will tell you if the restore was successful and if any files were renamed in the process.
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    The window says "cannot restore to the earlier settings". I tried different dates - same answer! What can I do?
    Community Answer
    One last chance (if you have already done a back-up of all data before doing the System Restore) :- Go back one year earlier to the current date. It might work. If not, maybe your OS is corrupt. Therefore, try to format Hard Disk and re-install Windows XP.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Does using system restore affect any previous data?
    Community Answer
    Usually, recently installed programs are uninstalled during a System Restore. It's important to keep the setup executables or archives of your programs on a separate drive or an external hard drive if you don't want to download them again.l
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If "System Restore" is not in your start menu, it is then usually in "C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore" with the executable named "rstrui." Be sure to make a shortcut somewhere if "System Restore" isn't in your start menu.
        Thanks
      • This is a great tool if you add a program or do an update and your computer goes down. You can also follow these steps and create a restore point as well. This works by going to the System restore window and selecting "Create a restore point". Just put the name you want (eg. Before install of Firefox), and if things do not well after the install of Firefox, then you can do the restore.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Use System Restore on Windows 7
      How to
      Activate Windows XP Without a Genuine Product Key
      How to
      Install Windows XP
      How to
      Make Windows XP Genuine Forever
      How to
      Activate Windows XP
      3 Ways to Access Windows XP with a Blank Administrator Password
      How to
      Change the Language of Your Computer (Windows XP)
      How to
      Create a Bootable Windows XP ISO from a Folder
      How to
      Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
      How to
      Back Up Windows XP
      How to
      Enable Automatic Logon in Windows XP
      How to
      Make a Windows XP Bootable Disk Using a ISO File
      Share Your Internet Connection on Windows XP
      How to
      Change a Windows XP Product Key
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 163,237 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement