The Importance of Creating System Restore Points On Your PC
The Importance of Creating System Restore Points On Your PC
If you are a Windows user, this tip might save you someday from a multitude of PC issues. It always surprises me to learn how many folks are not using this utility at all or they assume Windows is creating these restore points only to find out it is not!
If you are one of those folks that can’t stand backing up your data, don’t know how or can’t be bothered, then, at least create restore points. I create them almost weekly – It all depends on if I have any major changes or prior to installing software. If you know all about this utility and forget to create them, let this serve as an important reminder!
What is a Restore Point?
A restore point is a saved “snapshot” of a computer’s data at a specific time or date. Restore points are a function and utility of Windows System Restore. Your PC can be scheduled to create them automatically or you can create them yourself manually.
It is highly recommended that you create a system restore point before installing new software or anytime your PC undergoes a change. The point of doing this is to always a have a copy of the last and best state your PC was in prior to the changes this way you always have that restore point to fall back on if an issue arises. Creating a restore point provides you with the exact state of the operating system as well as your data prior to any changes.
Microsoft explains, “System Restore uses restore points to return your system files and settings to an earlier point in time without affecting personal files. Restore points are created automatically every week and just before significant system events, such as the installation of a program or device driver. You can also create a restore point manually.” So essentially they stated exactly what I said above :)
How long are restore points saved?
Creating a System Restore Point
To Open System Restore:
Before you start System Restore, save any open files and close all programs.
Step 1:
I prefer to easily type the words, “Create System Restore” in the start menu as per the below image. Once you do, you will see the create a restore point option. Click on that.
Step 2: Once you click the utility, a window will open. It is here you will choose to create your restore point simply by clicking the “Create” icon as shown below.
Step 3: You can call it whatever you like. I like using the date I created it. Type the name of the restore point in the window as shown below and click the “create” icon.
Step 4: Once you clicked “create” the restore point will be made.
Step 5: Your restore point was successfully created! Easy Peasy!
OK, now that completed, and you have a restore point to “go back to” if any issues arise on your PC and you need to restore it back to the state it was prior to the issue.
Next week, I will show you how to restore your PC back to one of the restore points you created so stay tuned!
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