Turning System Restore Off or On

When you turn off the System Restore feature, you will not remove or delete any personal files from your computer. Only those files that were created by System Restore are removed. Likewise, if you use the System Restore feature to "restore" back to a previous state, personal files in your My Documents folder are not affected.

Note: You must be logged in as an Administrator. If not, the System Restore tab will not display.

To turn System Restore Off or On, follow the appropriate steps below:

• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows XP

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Windows 7

To turn off System Restore

1. Click Start, and then right-click on My Computer. Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
2. On the left side, select System protection. The System Properties dialog box appears.
   
3. Select the drive for which you want to turn off System Restore and click Configure. The System Protection for Local Disk dialog box appears.
4. Click Turn off system protection and then click Apply.
5. You'll be prompted, "Are you sure you want to turn off system protection on this drive?" Click Yes. 
6. Click OK to close any open dialog boxes.

To turn on System Restore

1. Click Start, and then right-click on My Computer. Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
2. On the left side, select System protection. The System Properties dialog box appears.
3. Select the drive for which you want to turn on System Restore and click Configure. The System Protection for Local Disk dialog box appears.
4. Click Restore system settings and previous versions of files and then click Apply.
5. Click OK to close any open dialog boxes.

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Vista

To turn off System Restore:

1. Click Start, and then right-click on My Computer. Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
2. On the left side, select System Protection, and then click Continue.
3. The System Properties dialog box appears. Deselect the checkbox for the drive on which you want to turn off System Restore.
   
4. You'll be prompted, "Are you sure you want to turn System Restore off?" Click Turn System Restore Off to continue turning off System Restore. Click OK to close the open dialog box.

To turn on System Restore

1. Click Start, and then right-click on My Computer. Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
2. On the left side, select System Protection, and then click Continue.
3. The System Properties dialog box appears. Select the checkbox for the drive on which you want to turn on System Restore. Click OK.

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Windows XP

To turn off System Restore:

1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click My Computer and select Properties.
3. Select the System Restore tab.
4. Select (check) the Turn off System Restore option.
   You can choose to exclude any non-system partition or drive so that System Restore does not monitor or restore it. Changes made on an excluded partition or drive are not restored during a System Restore.
   
5. Click Apply.
6. A message displays asking your to confirm that System Restore should be disabled. As noted in the message, all existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes.
7. Click OK.
8. Continue with the task that prompted disabling the System Restore feature (e.g., virus removal).
9. When finished, restart your machine and follow the instructions to turn on the System Restore feature.

To turn on System Restore

1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
2. Right-click My Computer and select Properties.
3. Select the System Restore tab.
4. Deselect (uncheck) the Turn off System Restore option.
   Note: If you have a non-system drive or partition, you can exclude it from the System Restore. See the Windows XP online help for further instructions.
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.