Using Windows Vista System Restore
This tutorial will show you how to use System Restore in Microsoft Windows Vista. The process is similar to Windows XP System restore; however there are a few changes.
Open the Control Panel and click the system icon.
You should now see the System Windows below. Click on System protection.
The System Protection Tab will open.
To create a restore point click the Create Button.
If you want to restore from a previous restore point, click the System Restore button.
Clicking the Next button takes you to a list of possible restore points. Note that Windows Vista periodically creates system restore points as a normal part of its operation.
Choose on of these points and click Next. The next screen will confirm your choice and remind you to close programs and files.
You can cancel at this point or click finish to restore you PC to an earlier date. The computer will restart and your files and settings will be restored.
Popularity: 15% [?]
on January 27th, 2009 at 7:58 am
All of the above is fairly easy to follow. But when I get to the list of restore points on my computer they are all on the same day, i.e. today, but different times. I want to go back 4days and restore from there. Is this possible as it is with XP?
on January 30th, 2009 at 4:43 am
I too, would like to go back to just a few hours ago, but there are no other choices, only one I created. What can I do to go back?
on May 18th, 2009 at 10:47 am
I have exactly the same problem! freakin trojan invades me and AVG doesnt pick it up!
on January 6th, 2010 at 12:29 pm
@Matty .. same problem here .. hopefully will get more help with this problem
on January 7th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
After having to reimage new laptop 4 times because of not having certain restore points and Vista OS issues, I have been researching and found following information. Maybe can help others:
Vista does have “Previous Versions” / “Shadow Copy” in all versions, but need to use tricks to access for home version. For more info:
http://weblogs.asp.net/jgalloway/archive/2008/05/21/using-vista-previous-versions-to-restore-files-you-thought-you-d-lost.aspx
Also, here is a link for a free backup software which appears to have fairly high user rating:
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/download.html
My pet peeve is any OS should allow user to establish their own “permanent” restore points.