System Restore Functionality in Windows 7 - How It Works
Tags: systemrestore, windows7, restorewindows, restoresoftware
Published: 2018-07-02 12:35:06

---
title: System Restore Functionality in Windows 7 - How It Works
published: true
description: Windows 7 comes with inbuilt tools to repair or restore Windows 7 PC back to a workable state in case of a malfunction. It is important to understand how these tools work and their specific purposes. Alternately, those looking for an instant system recovery can implement solutions based on reboot to restore technology.
tags: SystemRestore, Windows7, RestoreWindows, RestoreSoftware
---

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Getting a malfunctioning Windows OS (operating system) back to the desired configuration can be really challenging for end-users. It generally requires complicated system recovery methods such as reimaging or formatting the systems.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">To help mitigate the complexities that crop up when rectifying a system error, Microsoft Windows 7 offers multiple inbuilt recovery tools. System recovery options in Windows 7 include restore, repair, and few other diagnostic tools that help users resolve various system issues like system slowdown, boot errors, and reboot loops.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Here is a breakdown of all the major </span></span><a href="http://reboottorestore.com/blog/system-restore-options-in-windows-7-vs-reboot-to-restore-technology/"><u><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#0000ff"><u>system restore options in Windows 7</u></span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">, how they function, and the situations where they are helpful.</span></span></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:16.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Various System Restore Options in Windows 7 &amp; How They Work</strong></span></span></strong></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Startup Repair:</strong></span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;This recovery tool is used to scan the entire system that helps Windows 7 users to identify and resolve certain system issues. For example, Startup Repair can help end-users fix some damaged or missing system files that were probably preventing the computer from starting properly.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">This tool can also resolve system issues arising due to users accidentally modifying critical system files, or installing an application that led to unexpected changes in a system file affecting the overall functionality of the OS.</span></span></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>System Image Recovery</strong></span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">: A system image is a customizable backup of the partition that includes Windows, along with certain key programs and user data, such as documents and images. Users need to create a system image beforehand for recovering the system. Running System Image Recovery will only recover the folders, applications, and files that were present when the system image was created. Any system changes performed after it will be completely lost.</span></span></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>System Restore:</strong></span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;If a system running on Windows 7 OS is behaving sluggishly, end-users can revert it to a previous point in time when it was working fine, using the Windows system restore. It is important to note that Windows system restore does not affect user&rsquo;s personal files.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">To use </span></span><a href="http://www.faronics.com/reboot-restore-software"><u><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#0000ff"><u>Windows system restore</u></span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;effectively, at least one restore point needs to be created. This essentially is a snapshot of the computer&rsquo;s settings, Windows Registry, and system files at a specific date and time. Once System Restore is enabled, Windows automatically starts creating restore points especially when the system undergoes major changes such as OS upgrades or any new software or driver installations. Restore points can also be created manually which helps end-users ensure that they have the copy of the best state of the PC prior to the changes being made. If a system error occurs, reverting to any Windows 7 restore point would actually provide users with the exact state of the operating system as it was before the changes were being made.</span></span></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:16.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Steps to Create a Restore Point Manually</strong></span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In order to create a restore point in Windows 7, users can perform the following steps:</span></span></p>

<ol>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Select &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Control Panel&rsquo;</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;from the </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>&lsquo;Start Menu&rsquo; </em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">and choose &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System &amp; Security</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo;. When the dialog box appears, click on &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo;.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Click the &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System Protection&rsquo;</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;link which will appear on the left panel.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">From the following dialog box of &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System Properties</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">,&rsquo; choose the &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System Protection</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo; tab.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">The tab will show an option to create new restore points. Click on the &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Create</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo; button, following which the dialog box named &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Create a Restore Point</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo; will appear on the screen.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Users can then add a description which helps in identifying the restore point. When it is done, click on the &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Create</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo; button on the dialog box.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Windows alert will pop-up when the restore point is successfully created. Clicking on the &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Close</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo; button will complete the process.</span></span></li>
</ol>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:16.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Steps to Perform System Restore in Windows 7</strong></span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">In order to run Windows system restore on any computer, users need to do the following:</span></span></p>

<ol>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Go to </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Start</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;&gt; </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>All Programs</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;&gt; </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Accessories</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">, and select the </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>&lsquo;System Tools&rsquo;</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;program.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Select the program icon called &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System Restore</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo; from the </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>&lsquo;System Tools&rsquo;</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;program. A window named </span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>&#39;Restore system files and settings</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&#39; will appear.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Click on the &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Next&rsquo; </em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">button that will open up the list of all automatically and manually created restore points. Users need to choose any one of them.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Click on &lsquo;Next&rsquo;, once the desired restore point has been chosen.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Select the &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Finish</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo; button when &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Confirm your Restore Point</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo; window appears on the screen. This will begin the Windows system restore process.</span></span></li>
	<li><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">A box with the message &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Once started, System Restore cannot be interrupted. Do you want to continue?</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo; will appear on the screen. To proceed, click on &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Yes</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo;.</span></span></li>
</ol>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Note:</strong></span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;The system restore functionality will now restore the Windows 7 operating system to the chosen restore point. This process might take 10-30 minutes. With the completion of the process, the computer will reboot.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:36.0000pt"><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">7. &nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"> </span></span><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">After logging into Windows, when the reboot process is complete, a dialog box will appear on screen with the message &ldquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>System Restore completed successfully.</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rdquo; Users then need to click the &lsquo;</span></span><em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><em>Close</em></span></span></em><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&rsquo; button to finish the process.</span></span></p>

<p style="margin-left:0.0000pt"><strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Note:</strong></span></span></strong><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;if the system error persists even after running Windows system restore, users can try restoring their system again by choosing a different restore point.</span></span></p>

<p><strong><span style="font-size:16.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><strong>Advantages of Reboot to Restore Technology over Windows System Restore Functionality</strong></span></span></strong></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Windows system restore is generally a time-consuming process. Besides, executing few of the recovery tools in Windows 7 may also require a bit of technical knowledge. Effective software solutions based on the </span></span><a href="http://www.faronics.com/technology/reboot-to-restore"><u><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri"><span style="color:#0000ff"><u>reboot to restore technology</u></span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">&nbsp;can help Windows users preserve and protect a baseline configuration of the system as desired by them. After every reboot, such solutions can restore any Windows 7 system to that pre-defined state, thus ensuring 100% system availability at all times. Instead of going through complicated system recovery steps as found in Windows system restore, end-users simply restart the machine to restore its original configuration. In addition, all user-made changes are wiped clean with each reboot. The PC is in a clean state at all times.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12.0000pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri">Solutions empowered by the reboot to restore technology take only a fraction of the memory space when compared to similar solutions in the market. The technology has been gaining momentum owing to its ability to preserve the original configuration of systems and make it tamperproof. As a result, recurring system issues like configuration drifts, accidental malware downloads, and more can be effectively addressed with a push of the restart button. Thus, the solution offers immense convenience and help yield the desired results much more effectively than the inbuilt system restore tools of Windows 7.</span></span></p>