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At one time or another we've all installed a program or opened an email with a virus that caused our computer to blue screen with random errors or simply operate at a snail's pace. It can happen to the novice computer user or even the skilled technical support guru and thankfully Microsoft knows this and plans for it.

Microsoft has created a user tool that has been available on operating systems for years called the System Restore. Each day, System Restore creates a save point on your computer. This save point is like a snap shot of all of the programs you have installed, all of the executable files you have saved and all of your settings. It will not affect your files like email or word documents. When you install a bad program or a virus, you can choose whatever save point you would like and set your computer back to the way it was on that date and time getting rid of the problem virus or program.

In Windows Vista, your System Restore feature will be located in Start > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. When you choose to run this feature, a box will pop up asking if you'd like to continue or create a system restore point. Click Next to run the system restore feature and on the next screen choose what date you would like to restore back to. Once you've selected a time, and always select a time prior to when you started having computer problems, click next again. This will take you to the next screen which states that System Restore will have to restart your computer. Click Finish and then click yes on the next box asking if you are sure to begin the system restore. Any programs you have open will close, so be sure to save before you click the final yes. Your computer will now restart and be restored to the time and date you have specified.

If you are about to install a program or use a configuration on your computer that you aren't very trusting of, you can create your own restore point. Open the System Restore feature in your start menu, and when the feature opens choose to open system protection. This will open up a system properties box where everything will be filled in for you. Simply click create, choose a name for your restore point and click create again. A box will show up stating it's creating a restore point, do not try to close this box. Once this finishes, click OK and you have created your own restore point.

Thankfully Microsoft understands that viruses and mistakes happen to us all and has provided an easy way for even the novice to fix their computer using the System Restore.

Learn more about this author, Marie J Kelley.
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