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If you’re making a change to your PC like installing new software, theming your desktop, or making registry and other software edits, you should create a system restore point. This will help you roll back any changes you’ve made if it all goes wrong or if you decide you don’t like the changes you’ve made and want a quick fix.

This guide will show you how to create a restore point in Windows Vista. Here are guides for Windows XP and 7:

Create a System Restore Point

To create a system restore point in Windows Vista, do the following:

  1. Press the Start button, type system, and click on System in the start menuSystem Restore 1
  2. When the system properties dialog box appears, click on System Protection in the left-hand menuSystem Restore 2
  3. If a drive is not already checked, check the box next to the drive on which you would like to save the restore pointSystem Restore 3
  4. Click Create
  5. Give your restore point a name and click CreateSystem Restore 4
  6. Wait while Windows creates a system restore point for youSystem Restore 5
    System Restore 6

You are now ready to use a cleaning program or make other system modifications.

Recover Your System by Using a Restore Point

Creating a restore point is a good start, but it is useful to know how to use the restore point if you need it. To restore your system from a previously created restore point, do the following:

  1. Press the Start button, type restore, and click on system restore in the start menu
  2. When the system restore dialog box appears, click NextSystem Restore 7
  3. Select the restore point and click NextSystem Restore 8
  4. Click FinishSystem Restore 9

Restoring your system may take some time so be patient and ensure you do not disturb the process

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.

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Comments

27 thoughts on “Create a System Restore Point in Vista [How To]”

  1. Speed up Your Computer with Ad says:

    […] note: I recommend you create a system restore point before using any tools a clean up your system. Check out CCleaner, which is another system cleaning […]

  2. CCleaner Cleans Your PC so it says:

    […] The first thing you#8217ll want to do is create a system restore point […]

  3. shane f says:

    you make your guides so simple and complete and easy to follow

  4. shane f says:

    you make your guides so simple and complete and easy to follow

  5. shane f says:

    you make your guides so simple and complete and easy to follow

  6. DIYAPI says:

    Thanks for your advice, It’s a very good idea to help people to understand new technologies. I hope for you success, prosperity.
    See you soon.

  7. DIYAPI says:

    Thanks for your advice, It’s a very good idea to help people to understand new technologies. I hope for you success, prosperity.
    See you soon.

  8. DIYAPI says:

    Thanks for your advice, It’s a very good idea to help people to understand new technologies. I hope for you success, prosperity.
    See you soon.

  9. Rich says:

    Thank you shane and DIYAPI

  10. Rich says:

    Thank you shane and DIYAPI

  11. Rich says:

    Thank you shane and DIYAPI

  12. nCleaner Cleans Junk and Shred says:

    […] features. This program may not be for the novice user, but I am confident anyone can try it. Just set a restore point before clearing up too much […]

  13. Pingback: Install Custom Desktop Themes in Windows Vista/Server 2008 [How To] : BeginnerPC
  14. Imthaz Ahamed says:

    Hi, i tried to do this but i cant…i see a message stating System Restore is disabled by Group policy, i am using vista Home premium SP1 and i am the only user of my laptop, which means i have administrative possibilities.
    I googled n i found out a method by using gpedit.msv…i cant find that in my system……
    please help i am stuck :(

  15. Imthaz Ahamed says:

    Hi, i tried to do this but i cant…i see a message stating System Restore is disabled by Group policy, i am using vista Home premium SP1 and i am the only user of my laptop, which means i have administrative possibilities.
    I googled n i found out a method by using gpedit.msv…i cant find that in my system……
    please help i am stuck :(

  16. Imthaz Ahamed says:

    Hi, i tried to do this but i cant…i see a message stating System Restore is disabled by Group policy, i am using vista Home premium SP1 and i am the only user of my laptop, which means i have administrative possibilities.
    I googled n i found out a method by using gpedit.msv…i cant find that in my system……
    please help i am stuck :(

  17. Rich says:

    To re-enable system restore:

    1. Click Start > Control Panel
    2. Click System and Maintenance.
    3. Click System.
    4. Click System Protection (left-hand menu.)
    5. Check “Create restore points automatically on the selected disks” for your C drive.
    6. Click OK.

    System Restore is now enabled on your computer.

    1. Doug says:

      Hi Rich
      Sounds like it would work great but under system properties i have no system protection
      button…frustrating.
      I need to restore back about 2 months and it seems impossible.
      Thanks,
      Doug

  18. Rich says:

    To re-enable system restore:

    1. Click Start > Control Panel
    2. Click System and Maintenance.
    3. Click System.
    4. Click System Protection (left-hand menu.)
    5. Check “Create restore points automatically on the selected disks” for your C drive.
    6. Click OK.

    System Restore is now enabled on your computer.

  19. Rich says:

    To re-enable system restore:

    1. Click Start > Control Panel
    2. Click System and Maintenance.
    3. Click System.
    4. Click System Protection (left-hand menu.)
    5. Check “Create restore points automatically on the selected disks” for your C drive.
    6. Click OK.

    System Restore is now enabled on your computer.

  20. Imthaz Ahamed says:

    I can do upto number 4…there is no step 5 in my laptop :(
    I am restricted by Group policy to create manual system restore points…i dont know what the hell they are :S
    Earlier i used to create system restore points, but now i can’t :(
    Thanks for the help so far….hope i can ask for some more help :)

  21. Imthaz Ahamed says:

    I can do upto number 4…there is no step 5 in my laptop :(
    I am restricted by Group policy to create manual system restore points…i dont know what the hell they are :S
    Earlier i used to create system restore points, but now i can’t :(
    Thanks for the help so far….hope i can ask for some more help :)

  22. Rich says:

    Of course you can :)

    Please direct your question to the forums, where we’ll take a deeper look and get you up and running.

    http://www.mintywhite.com/forum/

    See you there.

  23. Rich says:

    Of course you can :)

    Please direct your question to the forums, where we’ll take a deeper look and get you up and running.

    http://www.mintywhite.com/forum/

    See you there.

  24. Imthaz Ahamed says:

    I can do upto number 4…there is no step 5 in my laptop :(
    I am restricted by Group policy to create manual system restore points…i dont know what the hell they are :S
    Earlier i used to create system restore points, but now i can’t :(
    Thanks for the help so far….hope i can ask for some more help :)

  25. Rich says:

    Of course you can :)

    Please direct your question to the forums, where we’ll take a deeper look and get you up and running.

    http://www.mintywhite.com/forum/

    See you there.

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