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System Restore
Open System Restore "Start-Programs-Accessories-System
Tools-System Restore"
and click next to the Create a Restore Point option. Windows
examines itself and takes a snapshot of its settings. Then, if
something awful happens a few days later, you have an out: Head
back to the System Restore area and choose Restore My Computer
to an Earlier Time. Choose a restore point you saved back when
everything was just ducky, and, after Windows restores your pre
disaster settings, your computer will perform swimmingly.
There are a few problems with System Restore, as with anything.
When System Restore brings back your earlier, faithful Windows
setup, it will most likely leave out any of the programs you've
installed since then. You have to reinstall them. Because
Windows automatically creates a restore point every day, don't
choose a spot further back in time than necessary.
System Restore won't touch any files you've stored in the My
Documents folder. It swears it won't touch any of your other
data files, either. But to be on the safe side, keep your most
savored data in the My Documents folder.
If you use System Restore, use it often. Use it both before and
after installing any new program, for instance, or when making
any major tweaks to your system settings. That way, System
Restore can bring up a reasonably current version of your work.
If you goof and restore something that made your computer
function worse than ever, undo the restoration. Call up System
Restore and choose Undo My Last Restoration. In fact, don't be
afraid to try several restore points when something goes wrong.
You can always undo them and try a different one.
Finally, System Restore consumes 12 percent of your hard drive
space. To shrink or enlarge that chunk, right click on My
Computer from the Start button, choose Properties, and use the
sliding control on the System Restore tab. |