Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use System Restore on Windows 7

The System Restore tool in Windows is one of the most helpful tools built into this operating system to return Windows to its initial state or the desired period.

It is usually the first step in trying to solve issues and problems that have arisen in working with Windows.

By using this feature, we will have the ability to restore Windows settings to their original state, which will surely help us in solving many problems.

When something doesn’t go well in your system due to the wrong installation of software or the loss of a driver, or any other reason, and its operation is disrupted, we can use Windows System Restore to solve the problem.

This feature can restore the system to the time before these problems occurred, which could be a few days ago or the initial state when installing Windows.

In fact, by creating points called Restore Points, the restore system stores the latest stable and problem-free states of the system to provide users with a safe and problem-free system by returning to these points in case of problems.

In this article, we want to explain how to Use System Restore on Windows 7.

System Restore Windows 7 to a Restore Point

If you have problems while installing an operating system, such as new software or drivers, restoring the Windows 7 system to a restore point can be a good option for you, but you must have made a backup beforehand.

System Restore does not affect your data, such as pictures and documents.

But note that recently installed drivers and programs may be removed from your system.

1. Go to the Start.

2. On the Start Menu, select Control Panel.  

3. On the control panel, select System and Security.

4. Select Backup and Restore to continue.

5. Select Recover system settings or your computer link at the bottom.

6. Select Open System Restore button on the right.

7. Select Next to restore system files and settings.

8. Click one point to restore.

9. Select Next.

10. To find out what will be affected after recovery, you can select the Scan option for affected programs.

The system will suggest you choose the last restore point, if you need to select another latest restore point, you can check the box below to display other restore points.

11. Select Finish button to begin the restore.

Note: If you have recently changed your system password or created a new password, the system will recommend you make a reset disk for your password so that you can recover it if you lose it during the password recovery process.

12. After starting the system recovery, you cannot stop it, but if you want to continue, you can click on the Yes option.

And at this time, the system will continue to restore, but this process may take some time please wait until it is finished.

13. After some time, you will see the message (system recovery was done successfully).

If you find that the system restore is unsuccessful or if you think that doing this did not solve the problems in your system or cause more problems, you can choose the option to cancel the system restore.

You can do the following steps to cancel the changes made:

1.Go to the Control Panel.

2. Click on System and Security.

3. Click on Backup and Restore.

4. Press Recover system settings.

5. Select Open System Restore.

6.Click on Undo System Restore.

7. Hit Next option .

8. Click Finish option.

Restore Windows 7 System with system image backup

If you have more severe problems with your subsidy, you can use the advanced recovery method to fix your problems.

Advanced recovery methods include using a system image that you previously created for your computer using the recovery process.

Also, reinstall Windows that requires a Windows installation disc.

To restore your Windows 7 system with system image, following the steps:

1. Go to the Control Panel.

2. Click on System and Security.

3. Select Backup and Restore.

4. Select Recover system settings or your computer.

5.  Press Advanced recovery methods.

6. Click on Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer.

7. Select Back up now button to backup files on your computer.

Note: be sure to get a backup copy of your data because after performing the recovery process, Windows may help you to restore these files to your computer by backing up the files.

Of course, this step is optional, but if you don’t do this step and back up your files, you may lose your data.

8. Click on where you want to save your backup.

9. Select Next.

10. Click on what you want to back up.

11. Select Next.

12. Select Save settings and run backup to do the backup.

13. When the backup finished, Select  Recover system settings or your computer.

14. Select Advance recovery methods.

15. Select Use a system image you created earlier to recover your computer.

16. Select Skip.

17. Select Restart to continue the recovery.

18. Click on a keyboard input method.

19. Select Next.

20. Click on a system image backup

21. Select Next.

22. Choose additional restore options.

23. Select Next.

24. Select Finish to begin restore your computer.

25. In this case, the message (All driver data to be restored will be replaced with the data in the system image) will appear to you.

26. In this situation, Windows is restoring the computer from the system image, and this process takes some time, please be patient. But if you need to stop the recovery, you can select the Stop to restore option in this part.

27. After the recovery process is finished, you can select the restore my files option to display the applicable files.

28. Click on the backup that you want to restore files from.

29. Select Next.

30. Click on the files to restore, when the restore finish.

31.Select Finish.

Restore Windows 7 System from Safe Mode

If your computer system can’t start naturally or has problems and you can’t enter Windows, you can solve these problems by using safe mode.

1. Start your computer first, then quickly press the F8 option until your computer logo is displayed.

2. On the Advance Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode option.

3. Hit Enter to get into Safe Mode.

4. On the Safe Mode, , select Start.

5. Click on All Programs.

6. Select the Accessories option.

7. Press the System Tools.

8. Select the System Restore.

9. Click the restore point to restore your Windows 7 system.

The effect of System Restore on personal files and software installed in Windows

You must remember that System Restore is different from backup. The restore system will not be able to save your old files.

So you can’t expect to be able to recover the files you deleted before by doing System Restore.

 Of course, it is also worth mentioning that if you use this feature, you will not lose the files that you have recently saved in the system.

Windows System Restore will have nothing to do with your files.

But this issue is different in the case of software. By performing a system restore, any software that you have used or installed after each of the restore points will be deleted.

Even the software, that you had installed before creating Restore Points and now have deleted will be reinstalled on your system after using System Restore of course, Windows will give you detailed information about this.

Therefore, it is better if you have recently installed new software and the system is in a stable and problem-free state right now using the instructions that we will discuss in the following, create Restore Points in case of any problems. You can safely restore your system to its previous state.

Last Words

By following the mentioned steps, you can efficiently work with your system restore in Windows 7.

Have you used these methods to use system restore in Windows 7?

What other ways do you know of using the system restore in Windows 7?

Share your experiences and opinions with us.