One of the great features of Windows XP is the System Restore utility. This program allows you to revert back to a previous setup without losing your data. An example of when system restore could be useful would be if you installed a new program and the computer started acting differently, you could run System Restore and get back on track quickly.
There are several ways to start System Restore, but here are the two easiest.
1.If you are currently able to boot Windows normally, go to the Start Menu then click Run. Type in msconfig and click OK. When the window pops up, click the button labeled Launch System Restore.
2.If you can?t boot into Windows do the following: Restart the computer and hold down F8. You should see a menu appear, choose Safe Mode. When Windows appears it will give the decision to use System Restore, use it.
Now that you're in System Restore you can start using it. You have two choices: Create a restore point, or Restore my computer to an earlier time. Which one you choose will depend on what you want to accomplish.
System Restore usually creates a restore point after every big event that occurs on your computer. A big event is usually a program be installed, a driver being updated, or a patch being applied. If you want to create a restore point on some other occasion, you will want to create one by choosing Create a restore point.
Now, if you want to restore your computer to an earlier time, you will want to click Next.
Select the date and time which is closest to when you want to go back to. Click Next and you are on your way.
After doing a system restore your system will be back to how it was when the restore point was created. You will have your files that you created past that time, but you will not have things like your desktop changes.
System restore is not a backup utility and will not backup your data, make sure that you back that up often. System Restore only backs up Windows system files.
Always back up your important data before running system restore, though problems with restores are not too common, they can happen. Don't get caught in a difficult position.