How to find Windows 7 system recovery. How to properly restore the system. The Role of Each Recovery Option

Due to the presence of viruses, driver or software mismatches, the OS may malfunction. If your Windows crashes, don’t rush to panic. The situation can be corrected by returning the state of files and programs to the moment when the PC was working properly.

While running OS Windows 7, 10 or 8, certain errors and problems may occur. As a result of such failures, starting the operating system again in operating mode becomes impossible. In this case, it is not at all necessary to do a time-consuming reinstallation of the OS. All you need to do is perform a system restore.

Recovering the OS using the recovery environment

When working we use the following scheme of actions:

1. Reboot the computer, press the F8 key while loading;
2. Troubleshooting;
3. System restore, selecting an OS restore point;
4. Click "Further" and again "Further";
5. Press the button "Ready", we reboot the system (in the Menu, select boot with the last successful configuration).

Windows 7 System Restore

There are several methods you can use to get your OS running again. Some of them rely on rolling back to saved settings. Others simply clear the data.

You can “reanimate” the OS in one of the following ways:

• by selecting restore points;
• using the command line;
• through safe mode;
• using a recovery environment;
• using an image/boot disk.

Restoring the operating system using system “resuscitation” checkpoints is one of the most affordable, effective and popular options. To apply it, you need to make a series of clicks:

1. Panel "Start";
2. "System Restore";
3. "Further";
4. "Select a restore point";
5. "Ready".

With such an operation, problems with the computer will be corrected, changes will be canceled and the system will be returned to the operating state that allowed the PC to boot normally. There is no loss of data, files and documents with this type of recovery. All data is saved. The operation is reversible. You can roll back the system to a previous computer state and use a different restore point.

Many people wonder how to make a recovery point on their own (manually) in order to choose it in the future? To do this in the same menu "Start" - "System Restore" You can create such a point yourself at any time convenient and suitable for you. It will be saved indicating the current date, which you just have to remember.

From restore point

In computer engineering there is such a thing as a recovery point. These are saved PC settings. As a rule, saving occurs automatically with each successful OS boot. The easiest way to restore Windows 7 is to use this data.

Press F8 when your computer boots. This command will bring up a menu of system startup options. Next, you need to select the Last Known Good Configuration option.

Another method can be used. Go to the properties of the My Computer folder. Find the line System Protection, clicking on which will open the dialog box of the same name. Click Recovery – Next. We set a target date, indicate the disks that need to be fixed, and confirm the actions. After rebooting, the PC should work normally.

No restore points

You can fix problems with the OS even without restore points. To do this you will need to resort to the LiveCD program. You need to download it and burn it to a flash drive with the .iso extension.
Further all actions will take place in the BIOS. You need to configure booting from a flash drive. To do this, in the Boot section, select USB-HDD in the First boot device line.

Before proceeding directly with the recovery, copy all the necessary files to a removable disk. The LiveCD program provides a special menu for these purposes.

We will fix the system error using an archived copy. Connect the USB flash drive, open the Windows\System32\config\ folder. Files with the names default, sam, security, software, system must be moved to any other folder. In their place, transfer similar files from the RegBack folder and restart the computer.

The described method will only help if the problem is related to the registry.

Command line

You can resort to “reanimating” Windows 7 from the command line if the PC begins to freeze or works slowly, however, the system still boots. Enter the menu "Start" and using the right mouse button, launch the command prompt as administrator. Run the rstrui.exe command, which will open the system restore program. Click "Further". In the next window, select the desired rollback point and click again "Further". Once the process is complete, the PC should work normally.

There is another way to access the utility. Let's go to "Start". To open the command line, click "Run" and enter the CMD command. We click on the found CMD.exe file and wait for it to launch. Next, enter rstrui.exe in the command line and confirm the action with the Enter key on the keyboard.

It is not always possible to play it safe and create OS restore points in advance. Problems may arise that block the option of such “reanimation” of the PC. Then you can use another, no less effective and easy option - restoring the Windows system using the system itself.

We rely on the diagram:

1. Icon "My computer"- right mouse button "Properties";
2. "System protection";
3. In the new window click "System protection", recovery button;
4. "Further";
5. Select a restore point according to the date;
6. Specify the system disks to be restored;
7. We confirm the operations and reboot the system.

Restoring Windows 7 using Safe Mode

This method is preferred if the usual system boot is impossible. Then after pressing the PC power button on the system unit, hold down the F8 key to call "Start Menu". One of the "Menu" options is "Safe mode". Select it and press Enter on the keyboard. As soon as Windows boots, we carry out the algorithm of actions that we described earlier.

System recovery Windows 8/8.1

If you managed to start the OS, you can resume Windows 8 via "Options". Hover over the top right corner and enter them. Click on "Change computer settings" – . Chapter "Recovery" will offer several options:

1. "Regular recovery with information preservation".
2. “Deleting data and reinstalling the OS”.
3. "Special option".

Decide what exactly needs to be done. Next, follow the menu prompts.

If you choose the latter method, in the window that opens, click on the diagnostics item. You will be offered the following options:

• "Restore";
• "Return to original state";
• "Extra options". This item includes the ability to roll back to the desired resume point.

To resume Windows 8.1, press Win+R and call sysdm.cpl. In the system properties window in the tab "Protection" specify the required system drive. Click "Restore". Clicking "Further", you will be able to see a list of rollback points. Select the one you want and click "Search for affected programs". Changes that have been made to the PC since the selected moment will be deleted. Complete the process by clicking "Ready".

If you work with Windows 8, problems may occur, the Internet may not work correctly, etc. To fix this, you can use the classic recovery method through restore points.

Another option is a system rollback. To do this, open the menu "Start" - "Control Panel" - "Windows Update". Select an item "Removing updates". The same can be done using the command line.

So, in the list of updates that opens, we delete those from the moment of installation of which (we look by date) problems and malfunctions began. We delete unnecessary files and reboot.

You can perform a factory reset on Windows 8.1. Important files will not be affected during this operation. The method is effective, but to implement it, the OS needs to boot without problems. We use the algorithm:

1. Right side of the monitor - "Options";
2. "Change settings";
3. "Update and Recovery" - "Recovery";
4. "Recovery without deleting files".

If you cannot log into the system in the usual way, you must use the disk with the system. Load the installation disk, select "System Restore". Press the button "Diagnostics", And "Restore".

Windows 10 System Restore

If you have problems with Windows 10, press Windows + Pause. Go to "System protection" and press "Restore" – "Further". Select the desired indicator and click again "Further". When finished, click "Ready". The computer will automatically restart and the changes will take effect.

One of the advantages of the “ten” is the ability to return the settings to factory settings. This helps avoid having to install the system all over again. To reset your data go to "Computer Settings" – "Update and Security" – "Recovery" – "Return the computer to its original state". Click "Begin".

You can take care of the possibility of a rollback in case of failure in advance. You can create resume points yourself or configure their automatic creation at the desired frequency. To do this, in the settings, in the Update and security item, select Backup service. Specify where to save copies, click Add disk. After selecting the device, the function will be activated.

You can restore your Windows 10 system again by using restore points. In this case, the system will be rolled back to the moment when it loaded smoothly and worked without failures. This recovery method is described at the beginning of the article.

If the OS does not boot, a warning table with a key appears on the screen "Additional recovery options". Click it and select "Diagnostics" - "System Restore". We select a Windows restore point, wait for the system to roll back and reboot.

If such operations do not help and the computer continues to work incorrectly, you can roll back to the basic settings. Some programs and utilities, personal PC settings will be reset, and personal data will be deleted.

This technique is used extremely rarely if the other options described above do not help. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. "Start" - "Selecting parameters"- tab "Updates and Security";
2. Paragraph "Recovery"- button "Begin";
3. We choose to delete all files or keep some of them.

Recovering the system after this will take 40-90 minutes.

Resuming using the installation disc

One of the radical methods of fixing the error involves using an installation disk. After launching it in BIOS, click System Restore. In the Troubleshooting section, specify the desired action. Next, follow the system prompts to complete the process.

The method is suitable if the system is stable starts And included the function of creating points without user intervention or there is a backup collected by the system itself.
To start the process, you need to open a special software utility. To run it, use the instructions:

In the window that opens select drive protected against data loss. Usually the volume on which the OS is directly installed is selected.

Afterwards, you need to press the button "Recovery…"

A program will open to restore the previous state of the OS. Click the button " Further" and we see a menu that requires select a point recovery. The menu presents those that were created by the operating system itself.

To see all available rollback points, check the box " Show other restore points»

We follow further instructions and agree with reboot system and the fact that it will be impossible to cancel the restoration in the future. System will reboot and there will be a rollback.

Please remember that after the rollback the password, which was in use at the time. To avoid problems with logging in, make sure you have utility password reset. When will it happen return OS to the previous state, the previous points will disappear, but a new one will appear, created immediately before the reset attempt.

Returning the original settings

If items recovery are missing, or returning to previous states did not help, then you should try returning the PC to factory condition.

Often, most Windows laptops have this option, regardless of the version; instructions can be found from the manufacturer.

If you are the owner stationary PC with Windows 7 installed, then the method is unlikely to work, since usually in this case the OS requires a disk.

For the newest Windows starting from the eighth version, you can use the following algorithm:

Open the menu " Options" - Go to the section " Update and Security» — « Restore your computer to its original state» → Button « Begin»

System rollback using disk

This option is suitable if the operating system categorically refuses to start. The disk can be almost any external data storage device, even a USB flash drive.

For creation recovery media you will need to go to control Panel and in the category " system and safety» select the item « Backing up computer data". After that, click on the inscription “ Create a recovery disk". In the new window, select the drive you want to use, then click " Create disk».

Now you will always have the opportunity to fix a system problem without resorting to a complete reinstallation.

Creating an image

This method is also suitable for those who have lost the ability to start the OS, important honors this option from the previous one is that using full image disk, absolutely all user settings, files and applications are restored. Recommended make an image at a time when the PC has all the basic drivers and programs, but no unnecessary software.

To create an image, follow the same instructions as described in the previous method. Only at the last stage should you follow the link “ Creating a system image«.

In the window that opens offered select a location to save the image. The typical save location is DVD, as it can be used if the hard drive is damaged, which is quite convenient. The best way is to write to network storage, it would be better to use this particular point, since in this case, the probability of losing the image will be reduced to zero.

The recovery itself begins in the following way when the computer is rebooted: “ Diagnostics» — « Extra options» — « Restoring a system image».

System Restore- this is the best choice when installing a program or driver that caused an unexpected change in the configuration of the computer or Windows OS, and removing the program or driver did not solve the problem

Let's look at several ways to restore the system.

Create a restore point manually

A restore point is a representation of the saved state of a computer's system files. You can use a restore point to restore your computer's system files to a point in time in the past. Restore points are automatically created by System Restore on a weekly basis and when System Restore detects that your computer has changed its configuration, such as installing a program or driver. System image backups stored on hard drives can be used to restore the system in the same way as restore points created by System Protection. Although system image backups contain both system files and personal data, system recovery will not affect user data files. More on creating a restore point

Creating a system repair disc

To use system recovery options, you must have a Windows installation disc or access to the recovery options provided by your computer manufacturer. If you can't get either of these, you can create a system recovery disk. A boot disk is a type of removable media, such as a CD or DVD, that contains Windows boot files that the computer uses to start Windows if the Windows system files on the hard drive become corrupted.

To create a system repair disc, follow these steps:

1. Press Win key + R
2. Lead sdclt or Start -> Control Panel -> Backup and Restore
3. In the left pane, select a command Create a system repair disk and follow the instructions. When prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, enter the password or provide confirmation.
4. If you are prompted to insert a Windows installation disc, it means that the files needed to create a system repair disc cannot be found on your computer. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc

This completes the creation of the system recovery disk. To use a system repair disc, follow these steps:

The Role of Each Recovery Option

• Startup recovery- Fixes some problems such as loss or corruption of system files that can lead to errors when starting Windows
• System Restore- Restores your computer's system files to an earlier state without affecting user files such as email, documents or photos. If you use the System Restore option from the System Recovery Options menu, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you will be able to run System Restore again and select a different restore point if one exists
• Restoring a system image- Before using this option, you must create a system image. A system image is a personalized archive of the partition that contains the Windows operating system and includes programs and user data such as documents, pictures and music
• Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool- Checks the computer's memory for errors.
• Command line- Advanced users can perform command line repairs and run other diagnostic and troubleshooting tools

Restoring files from a system image backup

Before using this option, you must create a system image. A system image is a personalized archive of the partition that contains the Windows operating system and includes programs and user data such as documents, pictures and music

To create a system image for a disk, the latter must be formatted with the NTFS file system. The disk on which the backup is saved must also be formatted with the NTFS file system

To create a system backup, follow these steps:

1. Press Win key + R
2. Lead sdclt or Start -> Control Panel -> Backup and Restore
3. Select Creating a system image and follow the wizard's instructions. When prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, enter the password or provide confirmation.
4. If you store system images on an internal or external drive, or on CDs or DVDs, you can store multiple versions of the images. On internal and external hard drives, old system images are deleted when the disk runs out of free space. To save disk space, you can manually delete old system images

To restore the system from an image, open the "Recovery" component. (Start - Control Panel - System Restore), select

Run System Restore from the Command Line

These actions can only be performed as an administrator account. Start your computer in safe mode with command line support. While your computer restarts, press and hold the F8 key. The F8 key must be pressed before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, wait for the Windows login prompt to appear.

Log in and at the command prompt enter rstrui.exe and press the key ENTER

Note Note: If you run System Restore while your computer is in Safe Mode, changes made during the restore process cannot be undone. However, you will be able to run System Restore again and select a different restore point if one exists

Restoring Windows or computer to original settings

This method can be used if you don't have a system image or if you want to completely remove all programs and return Windows to "new" or factory settings. You will need to reinstall all added programs and restore all user files.

This method will offer one of two options, depending on the computer manufacturer's choice.

• Reset your computer to default settings. This option removes all data from the computer, including all user files and all installed programs, and replaces them with a recovery image provided by the computer manufacturer. The recovery image contains Windows OS and may contain programs that were pre-installed on the computer when shipped. The user will need to independently restore their files and reinstall all previously installed programs using the original installation disks or files.
• Reinstall Windows. This option reinstalls Windows on the computer. The user will need to independently restore their files and reinstall all previously installed programs using the original installation disks or files.

Note

Resetting Windows to its original settings does not completely delete all data on the computer. The programs are removed, but user files are saved to the Windows.old folder on your hard drive, which you can view after the reinstallation is complete. But before using this method, it is strongly recommended to archive all user files. For example, if some files are encrypted, access to them may be denied after Windows is installed. If an archive of user files was created, and then these files were restored after reinstalling Windows, then the Windows.old folder can be deleted.

To access additional recovery methods: Start - Control Panel - Recovery and select Advanced recovery methods

Often, users are faced with the problem of the operating system freezing or even becoming infected with viruses. Before resorting to radical methods to solve this problem, this means reinstalling the system, it is worth trying to solve the problem by restoring it.

In general, system recovery is usually divided into three types:

1. System rollback, that is, its restoration to a previous state.
2. Restoring the system using the installation disk
3. Recovering individual files if they are damaged

Each of these methods has its own pros and cons, and for each specific case you need to make your own decision about which method to restore the system. Let's start in order.

System rollback

The developers of Windows 7 took into account the fact that some programs may not work correctly, and even after they are removed, some files may remain that interfere with the stability of the operating system. In this regard, a system rollback function was added to Windows. The network of this action is that during the operation of the computer, control points are created. If the need arises, the user has the opportunity to return the computer’s state to the state it had at the time this checkpoint was created. Depending on the Windows distribution from which the installation took place, checkpoints can be created automatically or manually.
Advice

After installationWindowsIt is recommended to enable automatic checkpoint creation if it is not enabled. Because of this, the operating system will take up more space, but it will be possible to avoid the need to reinstallWindows.

When using this method, it is worth considering that all files and changes made to them after the checkpoint was rolled back may be deleted or partially undone.

Advice

Before carrying out the system rollback procedure, it is recommended to save all important information to a flash drive, since after the rollback it may be lost.

To perform a Windows restore operation through a system rollback, you need to open the Start menu and start typing “System Restore” in the search field. In the pop-up window, select the appropriate item.

The System Restore Wizard will now open. In the first window we click the “Next” button. At this point, we confirm that we are going to restore the system, and also that we are aware of the consequences this may have.

A window opens in which we are asked to select one of the control points to which the rollback will actually occur. Choose the point at which the computer was definitely working stably and without freezes, otherwise the procedure may not help.

After this, you need to confirm that the control point was chosen correctly. If you are sure that you did everything correctly, click the “Next” button.

Then a window will appear warning that system recovery will now begin, and that it cannot be interrupted while it is underway. Click the “Yes” button, after which system recovery will begin.

Upon completion, the computer will automatically reboot. Then a message will be displayed on the screen indicating that the restoration was successful.

note

If the system refuses to boot, you can try restoring the system from safe mode. To do this, when you turn on the computer, press the “F8” key (on some computers the key may be different) until a special menu appears prompting you to select a boot mode. Here, Safe Mode is selected, after which all the above steps are done.

Restoring the system using a boot disk or flash drive

In some cases, normal system recovery using the built-in program may not be possible. This happens when Windows reboots cyclically, for example, when a system update was interrupted for some reason. As a result, it will not be possible to start Windows not in safe mode, not in normal mode. Then it is possible to restore the system only if you have a boot disk or flash drive.

note
Restoring the system using a disk or flash drive should be done from the same distribution from which the installation took place. This ensures that there are no recovery problems associated with different system settings and versions.

To carry out this operation, you will need to write the Windows distribution onto a disk or flash drive and connect it to your computer. In the Bios settings, put it in first place. After downloading the installation and recovery program, the following steps are performed:

1. On a black background, we are asked to press any button to boot from disk, which is done.

Advice

It is better to press the spacebar or “Enter”, as some keys may not be recognized.

3. Select "System Restore"

4. In the window that opens, confirm the system language.

5. A window will open in which you need to select an option offering to restore the system

6. Wait for the recovery to complete, after which the computer will reboot.

7. In the BIOS you set the boot priority to the hard drive and see the result. If everything went well, the system will start.

Note.
Restoring a system from a disk is a rather long process that can take from half an hour to several hours. In addition, this method will not help with damage to the boot sector.

Recovering some system files and other problem solutions

There are times when a full system recovery is not required, but you just need to replace or add a file. Below are two similar examples and ways to solve them.

1. A virus that requires you to transfer money to the attacker’s wallet or simply does not allow you to boot the system. Until recently, these were one of the most common viruses, but now their number is decreasing every year. Before transferring money to someone or reinstalling the system, try downloading and running the Dr.Web Live CD program. It will scan all hard drives and remove the annoying virus, and at the same time clean the entire remaining computer of all possible threats.

Advice

Even if you do not encounter such a problem, it is recommended to run your computer with Dr.Web Live CD or its equivalent once every three months, because some viruses can bypass your antivirus.

2. One of the most common and at the same time unpleasant problems with system booting is the message “BOOTMGR is missing. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to restart." This means that the boot sector has become corrupted, and as a result the operating system cannot boot. The solution to this problem is quite simple. Make a bootable flash drive with the MbrFix program or its equivalent. Then start the computer, having previously configured the BIOS to boot from a flash drive and run the program. It will automatically fix the problem and restore system functionality.

The choice of recovery method is different for each case. Unfortunately, in some cases it may be impossible to restore the system's functionality. In this case, only a complete reinstallation of Windows can solve the problem.

Has your computer or laptop started to glitch badly? Or does it not turn on at all? First of all, try restoring the Windows 7 OS system. The operation takes 10-15 minutes, but it can really help. Indeed, in this case, the Windows 7 system is rolled back to a couple of days ago, when the PC or laptop was still working perfectly.

This is an operation during which all settings and system files are restored from a backup created by Windows. That is, if you accidentally deleted important files or changed settings (for example, installed a new driver), and after that the computer began to slow down (or did not turn on at all), then this can be corrected. It's at least worth a try.

Restoring to a previous version of Windows is carried out using checkpoints that are created every week, as well as after making any changes (installing or removing programs). Typically, this feature is enabled automatically. Plus you can create control points manually.

There are at least 3 ways:

• Windows means;
• via safe mode;
• using a flash drive with Windows 7.

Let's look at each of them in more detail.

When you downgrade Windows 7, all your personal files will remain in place. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about this.

But there is one nuance here. During recovery, files recorded between today and the day to which you decide to roll back may be lost. Therefore, if you recently (today, yesterday, the day before yesterday, etc.) downloaded important documents onto your PC, it is better to save them to a flash drive. Just in case.

How to return the system back using Windows 7?

The first way to roll back Windows 7 is through the OS itself. But it is only suitable if your PC or laptop turns on. It doesn’t matter if it glitches or freezes, the main thing is that you can load the desktop.

So, do the following:

After this, the Windows 7 system rollback will begin. When the operation is completed, the computer or laptop will reboot and you will see a message that everything was successful.

If this doesn't help, try enabling Windows 7 recovery by selecting a different checkpoint. But in this case, you will need to check the “Select another point” checkbox and click “Next”. And after that, the familiar window from step 4 will open.

Restoring the OS through Safe Mode

If your PC or laptop does not turn on at all, then you can try restoring Windows 7 startup in safe mode. To do this, when turning on (or restarting) the PC, press the F8 key repeatedly until the menu appears. Next, select “Safe Mode” and click Enter.

However, there are some nuances associated with different versions of Windows. Therefore, to avoid any difficulties, I recommend that you read –?

You wait until the computer or laptop turns on, and after that you perform all the same steps as in the previous option. That is, to roll back the Windows 7 system, follow steps 1 to 7 described above.

And the third method: recovery from a flash drive (or disk) with installation files

The disadvantage of this option is that you need to write it to a Windows flash drive, which is on your computer or laptop. And the plus is that in this way you can try to return the Windows 7 system, even when the PC does not turn on and safe mode does not start. That is, this is your last chance.

If you did everything correctly, the Windows 7 installation window will open.

Wait until the procedure is completed and click on “Reboot”. Then immediately remove the flash drive from the connector (or the disk from the drive), after which the PC should turn on in the usual way.

By the way, restoring Windows on a laptop and computer is the same. So you can try any method you choose.

That's all. Now you know how to roll back a Windows 7 system. I hope one of the 3 methods will work and you will be able to restore the functionality of your PC or laptop.