Windows tip: how to use system restore points

Every day, I use my PC or laptop for hours on end. Not only are they my work instruments, but I also like to tinker with them. Now, if I happen to mess up a registry change, for instance, sometimes the only thing that helps is a reset. The downside? Resetting your PC, means you have to reconfigure all your settings and reinstall all your programs. That takes an eternity.

The good news is there’s a feature in Windows that can save you the hassle, namely, system restore points. Using a restore point will restore your PC to the state it was in when you created the restore point, no matter how long ago it was created.

You have two options. The first is to schedule automatic restore points. Windows will then regularly create restore points – for example, prior to installing a patch, which typically happens on the second Tuesday of every month.

But you can also manually create restore points. It’s a good idea to do this if you want to make changes to the system, for example in the registry. That way, you have an up-to-date restore point, should anything go wrong.

Attention: the restore point feature is not a system image and does not replace a data backup. It only saves the state of system files.

To activate automatic restore points on PC

1. Press the Windows Key and search for «restore point». Select the top result («Create a restore point»).

1. This will open the System Properties window. Click «System Protection», then «Configure…».

1. Check «Turn on system protection». This activates the automatic creation of restore points. Things get a little trickier further down; you have to specify how much storage space the restore point is allowed to occupy on your hard drive. As a rule, Windows will auto-allocate enough memory. Microsoft recommends allocating 5 per cent of your disk space or a maximum of 10 gigabytes, whichever is less. Click «OK» to save your settings.

Create a manual restore point

1. In the System Protection tab of the System Properties window, click «Create».

1. Give your restore point a name, preferably something descriptive with the current date. Next, click «Create».

1. You’ll now see a progress bar, followed by a message that the restore point has been created.

Create a restore point on an external drive

You can also save a restore point on an external drive, for instance, to save memory. Here’s how:

1. Connect an external drive to your computer. You can use a USB stick or SSD. Importantly, it must have at least 16 GB of memory.
2. Press the Windows button and search for «Recovery Drive».
3. Click «Run as administrator».

1. Make sure «Back up the system files to the recovery drive» is checked, then click «Next».

1. Select the external drive and click «Next».

1. Click «Create». Attention: Any data on the external drive will be deleted! The restore point will now be created.

Revert to a restore point

If you have a problem with your system, you can revert to a restore point.

1. Go to System Properties > System Protection.
2. Click «System Restore», then «Next».

1. Select the last restore point before your system encountered problems, then click «Next» again.

1. Click «Finish». Your system will now be restored.