How to Restore Your Windows XP Computer

A System Restore can help fix problems that might be making your computer run slowly or stop responding. It will return your system to an earlier point in time. Your computer automatically creates Restore Points that allow you to restore previous settings, systems or programs. Don’t worry! This will not affect your personal files, data or photos.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Performing a System Restore

  1. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 1
    1
    Open the Start menu. This is the “Window” icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
  2. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 2
    2
    Click on the All Programs link. This is located at the bottom of the list of frequently used programs.
    • Alternatively, you can click on Help and Support and type in “system restore” in the search bar. This will give you a detailed description of what a System Restore is and include a link to open the System Restore guide. You can skip to Step 6 if you want to use the Help and Support menu.
  3. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 3
    3
    Open the Accessories folder. This is where all of the programs that are saved to your computer by default are located.
  4. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 4
    4
    Open the System Tools folder. This is where you manage system events and performance on your computer.
  5. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 5
    5
    Click on the System Restore guide. This will guide you through the restoration process.
  6. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 6
    6
    Select Restore my computer to an earlier time. Click Next to continue.
    • You can force the system to create a Restore Point before you install a new program or operating system. That way, if anything goes wrong, it will be obvious which Restore Point you want to go back to.
  7. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 7
    7
    Select a Date to restore your system to. Choose a date on which your computer was running fine, for example, before a system update or installing a program.
  8. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 8
    8
    Click Next to activate the System Restore. Your computer will shut down, perform the System Restore and restart again.
  9. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 9
    9
    Click OK when the system starts up. Congratulations! You did it! Your system has been restored to the date you selected and will be up and running like it used to.

Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Undoing a System Restore

  1. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 10
    1
    Repeat Steps 1-6 above. When you have mistakenly restored your system to an earlier configuration that you do not want, you can undo the last System Restore.
  2. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 11
    2
    Select Undo my last restoration. Click on Next to continue.
  3. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 12
    3
    Click Next to confirm. You are confirming that you want to undo the last System Restore from the Restore Point shown. Your computer will shut down, perform the operation and restart again.
  4. Image titled Restore Your Windows XP Computer Step 13
    4
    Click OK when the system starts up. Great job! You have reversed the System Restore and are back to the way things were.

Community Q&A

  • Question
    I bought a used XP computer. When I try to reformat it asks me for the administrative password. How do I get by this?
    Jhonson12312
    Jhonson12312
    Community Answer
    You have to ask the old owner of that computer for the password.
  • Question
    What do I write in the field?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Anything. Whatever you write in the field, System Restore will function the same.

Warnings

You Might Also Like

Make a Windows Computer Look Like a Mac
How to
Make a Windows Computer Look Like a Mac
Remove a Virus and Repair Windows XP for Free
How to
Remove a Virus and Repair Windows XP for Free
Activate Windows XP Without a Genuine Product Key
How to
Activate Windows XP Without a Genuine Product Key
Fix the Volume on Your Computer in Windows
How to
Fix the Volume on Your Computer in Windows
Make Windows XP Genuine Forever
How to
Make Windows XP Genuine Forever
Activate Windows XP
How to
Activate Windows XP
Change the Language of Your Computer (Windows XP)
How to
Change the Language of Your Computer (Windows XP)
Install Windows XP
How to
Install Windows XP
Create a Bootable Windows XP ISO from a Folder
How to
Create a Bootable Windows XP ISO from a Folder
Log on to Windows XP Using the Default Blank Administrator Password
How to
Log on to Windows XP Using the Default Blank Administrator Password
Set Up Internet Connection Sharing for Windows XP
How to
Set Up Internet Connection Sharing for Windows XP
Change a Windows XP Product Key
How to
Change a Windows XP Product Key
Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
How to
Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
Back Up Windows XP
How to
Back Up Windows XP

About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 83,500 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 11
Updated: June 3, 2021
Views: 83,500
Categories: XP Instructions