How to restore a laptop?

Restoring a laptop can mean returning its system software to a previous state or resetting it entirely. One common method, particularly for fixing recent issues without losing personal files, is using System Restore on Windows.

Understanding Windows System Restore

System Restore is a built-in Windows feature designed to help troubleshoot and resolve problems that may arise after installing new software, drivers, or updates. It works by creating "restore points" – snapshots of your system files, installed applications, Windows Registry, and system settings at a specific time. When you use System Restore, it rolls your system back to a chosen restore point.

Key Benefit: System Restore does not affect your personal files (documents, photos, emails, etc.).

Steps to Perform System Restore in Windows

Using System Restore is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:

Select the Start button.
Type control panel in the search box next to the Start button on the taskbar.
Select Control Panel (Desktop app) from the results.
Search Control Panel for Recovery.
Select Recovery.
Select Open System Restore.
Select Next.
Choose a recommended restore point or select "Choose a different restore point" and click Next.
Select the desired restore point from the list (look at the date and description to find one before the issue started) and click Next. You can also click "Scan for affected programs" to see what programs will be removed or restored.
Confirm your restore point choice and click Finish. The system restore process will begin after you confirm. Your laptop will restart.

Important Note: Once started, do not interrupt the System Restore process.

Other Laptop Restoration Methods

While System Restore reverts system settings to a previous state, other methods can perform a more extensive restoration or reset:

Reset this PC (Windows): This modern Windows feature allows you to reinstall Windows. You typically have the option to keep your personal files or remove everything. It's useful for addressing more persistent problems or refreshing a slow system.
Factory Restore: Many laptop manufacturers include a dedicated recovery partition or recovery media that can reset the laptop to its original factory condition, including the operating system and all pre-installed software and drivers. This method usually removes all personal data and installed applications.
Using Recovery Media: If you created a recovery drive (USB drive) or have Windows installation media (USB or DVD), you can use it to troubleshoot startup problems, restore from a system image, or reinstall Windows from scratch.

The best method depends on the nature of the problem and whether you need to preserve personal files or start fresh. For simple system hiccups caused by recent changes, System Restore is often the first and easiest solution.